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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lizard" data-source="post: 4296766" data-attributes="member: 1054">Another experiment idea. All of the various 'active terrain' concepts in 4e are neat, but come with a catch -- you need to draw the maps. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> The following creatures, in combination, actually *create* terrain obstacles as the fight progresses. I am interested in feedback and balance suggestions.The biggest problem I have with 4e monster design is keeping it simple. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> I could have given each of these guys 2 or 3 more powers each, and a whole lot more special rules and limits. I decided to "Think 4e" and not bother. Their abilities are designed for a specific environment. A kobold miner in the middle of a wheatfield can't bring down a shower of rocks or open up a pit, no matter how hard the Mine Boss yells at him. I didn't include paragraphs of detail to this effect, as it ought to be obvious.========================Kobold Miner    Level 1 Minion   Small natural humanoid    XP 25Initiative +5    Senses Perception +1; darkvisionHP 1;AC 15; Fortitude 13, Reflex 13, Will 14Speed 6 <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/bm.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":bmelee:" title="Basic Melee    :bmelee:" data-shortname=":bmelee:" />  Pick (standard; at-will) * Weapon+5 vs. AC; 4 damage. <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/m.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":melee:" title="Melee    :melee:" data-shortname=":melee:" />  Tunneling (standard, at-will) * WeaponIf the Kobold miner is underground, one square adjacent to the Kobold Miner becomes Difficult Terrain.ShiftyA Kobold can Shift 1 square as a minor action.Fear Of The LashKobold Miners are immune to Fear effects so long as a non-minion kobold has LOS to them. If there are no non-minion kobolds in LOS, the Kobold Miner must save every round or flee.Alignment Evil    Languages Common, DraconicSkills Athletics +4, Dungeoneering +4Str 8 (-1)    Dex 16 (+3)    Wis 12 (+1)Con 12 (+1)    Int 9 (-1)    Cha 10 (+0)Kobold Miners are responsible for digging, tunneling, and working the mines. They are basically cowardly, but fear being punished by their overseers more than they fear even death. They also know the mines and tunnels in which they live very well, and can bring down a shower of stones which creates uneven footing, slowing foes so that their allies can pick them off.Kobold Overseer    Level 2 Skirmisher   Small natural humanoid    XP 125Initiative +4    Senses Perception +2; darkvisionHP 36; Bloodied 18AC 16; Fortitude 14, Reflex 13, Will 14Speed 6M Whip (standard; at-will<img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" /> * WeaponReach 1, +7 vs. AC; 1d10+3 damage.R Lash Pull (standard, recharge 5,6) * WeaponRanged 2, +7 vs AC, 1d6+3, and the target is pulled 1 squareNecessary Sacrifice (Encounter, Immediate Interrupt)Trigger: An attack hits the Kobold OverseerEffect: The attack instead hits an adjacent kobold minion.ShiftyA Kobold can Shift 1 square as a minor action.Alignment Evil    Languages Common, DraconicSkills Dungeoneering +7, Intimidate +7Str 16 (+3/+4)    Dex 12 (+1/+2)    Wis 12 (+2/+3)Con 14 (+2/+3)    Int 10 (+0/+1)    Cha 10 (+0/+1)Kobold Overseers are large (for a kobold), scarred, and heavily muscled specimens who take great delete in bullying those smaller and weaker than themselves. This is typical for a kobold, but they're especially good at it. They greatly enjoy pounding on anyone who is already injured, believing it is best to kick 'em while they're down. They wield an exceptionally long whip, studded with sharp metal spikes. They usually whip and move back, forcing opponents to suffer an OA in order to close again.Kobold Mine Boss    Level 3 Controller (Leader)   Small natural humanoid    XP 150Initiative +2    Senses Perception +2; darkvisionHP 44; Bloodied 22AC 17; Fortitude 15, Reflex 16, Will 15Speed 6M Short Sword (standard; at-will<img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" /> * Weapon+8 vs. AC; 1d6+4 damage.R Crossbow (standard; at-will) * WeaponRanged 10/20, +8 vs AC, 1d8Sudden Drop (minor, recharge 5,6)The Kobold Mine Boss targets any minion within 10. The minion and a single enemy adjacent to the minion fall into a 20' pit, which now occupies the squares they occupied. Resolve the fall as usual.Shower Of Stones (Standard, recharge 5,6)Close Burst 3 within 10; Attack +8 vs. Reflex, 2d6. Special -- the Mine Boss must select a kobold minion as the center of the burst, the minion is attacked as well.Get Him! Him! (free; encounter)The Kobold Mine Boss targets any enemy within LOS. For the remainder of the encounter, all kobold allies of the Mine Boss get +2 to attack that target, and -1 to attack any other target so long as it is still alive.ShiftyA Kobold can Shift 1 square as a minor action.Alignment Evil    Languages Common, DraconicSkills Dungeoneering +7, Intimidate +8Str 14 (+2/+3)    Dex 16 (+3/+4)    Wis 12 (+2/+3)Con 12 (+1/+2)    Int 12 (+1/+2)    Cha 14 (+2/+3)Mine bosses are what happens when a miner gets lucky and survives a few years in the mines. They know the tunnels and caves inside and out, and can take advantage of every weak point. They can direct a minor to open up a boarded-over pit, or cause a partial collapse of a roof. That this often kills the miners as well is not of great concern; they're competition for his job.Typical Encounter: 1 mine Boss, 1 overseer, 1 slinger, 8 minersTactics: Kobold miners aren't considered warriors, and are almost never seen outside the mines -- indeed, their abilities only work in such locales and are basically meaningless anywhere else. However, attacks on the mines are common -- from goblin, orc, or human invaders, and so, a mining team knows how to defend itself. The boss will hang back to direct the fight, sending minions after whoever he judges to be the most dangerous opponent while also having some plummet foes into a bit or bury enemies beneath falls of rock. The Overseer will use his shiftiness and reach to harry an enemy while staying out of range, and will use lash pull to yank foes into any pits created by the mine boss's Sudden Drop power. Both the slinger and the mine boss will use ranged attacks to wear down foes when their special abilities are not available.</blockquote>

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