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Message: <blockquote data-quote="MerricB" data-source="post: 3045524" data-attributes="member: 3586">Spiders!Does D&D need more spiders? Well, the designers of MMIV think so, because we've got three new ones here, not counting the "Lolth-touched" template that makes regular spiders (and other favourites of Lolth) stronger.I must say, after reviewing the spiders' stats and using the Inferno Spider in play, I'm inclined to agree with the designers. These new spiders are great additions to the DM's armoury.What makes the spiders worthwhile is that the designers have identified what abilities are important to a spider - webs and poison - and designed the creatures around those abilities. I've found regular D&D spiders to be somewhat underwhelming in play, but these spiders restore health to the archetype.First up is the Bloodsilk Spider (CR 2). This small magical beast doesn't have a poison bite, but something quite creepy: its webs can drain blood from those entangled in them and channel it to the spider, making it stronger.The second is the Tomb Spider (CR 6). This large magical beast has both a poison bite and a web attack. The web is standard, but the Tomb Spider has been tainted by negative energy, so that negative energy heals it and positive energy hurts it. Its poison carries its taint, so that those affected by it will find healing spells to suddenly quite dangerous!To make the Tomb Spider more unusual, the entry also gives stats for the Tomb Spider Broodswarm (CR 2), the tiny progeny of the mother spider, and the Web Mummy, an animated corpse that the mother spider has laid its eggs in - destroying it will just release a broodswarm! The Web Mummy is presented as a template, with a Human Commoner Web Mummy (CR 4) being given as the sample creature.Finally, we have the Inferno Spider (CR 8). This large elemental hails from the elemental plane of fire, and has both a web and poison attack. The web is flaming, and burns those it entraps. Likewise, its caustic poison converts to 3d6 fire damage upon a failed save. This spider also has several elemental traits and is quite fast, with Dodge, Mobility and Spring Attack giving it yet another set of tactics.The entries for these spiders also bring out a strength of MMIV: the special abilities are laid out in an easily comprehensible form, with almost all of the information you need to run the monster being present. The Inferno Spider's flame web entry tells us that it deals extra flame damage on the spider's turn, how to escape the web - by weapon, strength or escaping - and special considerations that need to be taken into effect, like how to extinguish the flame. However, the entry doesn't give the effects of "entangled", which is in the glossary of the PHB and DMG. It's about the only thing missing.At this point, I'll also mention that MMIV occasionally has flavour quotes discussing the monsters from the point of view of some inhabitant of the D&D world, similar to those found on Magic cards or D&D Miniatures cards. I love this addition to the format, as I often find them amusing or inspirational. Consider the entry for the Bloodsilk Spider:"It was on the third day that we encountered a pair of woodsmen with a tale of red webs. Prince Lumien determined to see these webs for himself, and he persuaded the holy man Ilix to accompany him. We did not see them again - not living." - Guldur of the Royal Guard.A rumour for my campaign world? Quite likely.</blockquote>

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