Need to sub some low level monsters with higher level ones

[NewJeffCT]

I suggest avoiding using an owlbear in the mite/kobold part of the path as an encounter with a particular owlbear is quite important later and you don't want to go to that same well too often.

I think "Pog" in the monster builder is just a named goblin. He should work ok. A couple other options I found in the builder, if you go for an artillery type monster instead of a controller:

- advanced gnome entropist (they are level 8 to start, so tack a couple levels and elite it, maybe using a template of some kind.)
- Three-Tooth (no idea the source but appears to be a level 10 elite kobold artillery)
- Gurn Sirensong (again no idea the original source, but he's a level 9 elite gnome artillery with wizard-y powers like magic missile)

There is a "task" in there called Tuskgutter, which involves the PCs finding a wild boar that has been causing havoc. I can always substitute an owlbear there instead...

 

[NewJeffCT]

As for the owlbear question, I debated this myself back in November - those creatures can be nasty! I was considering throwing an encounter of two adult owlbears (the elites) against a party of four sixth-level characters. I ended up backing off and going with one adult and two young owlbears. It was still a nasty battle, but the party survived.

Here is the post where I recapped the encounter.

Thanks for the link to the recap.

the monster vault Owlbear must be different than the one in Adventure Tools. It is a level 8 elite brute in Adventure Tools as well. The double attack power would be 4d6+10 if it hits with both claws (average of 24). Each claw is listed at 2d6+5. The target is then grabbed. It would then spend its action point and would likely use its bite attack for 4d8+5. (average of 23) So, 47 points of damage against a level 8 party is big, but I don't think it would drop any of my players.

 

[S'mon]

Thanks for the link to the recap.

the monster vault Owlbear must be different than the one in Adventure Tools. It is a level 8 elite brute in Adventure Tools as well. The double attack power would be 4d6+10 if it hits with both claws (average of 24). Each claw is listed at 2d6+5. The target is then grabbed. It would then spend its action point and would likely use its bite attack for 4d8+5. (average of 23) So, 47 points of damage against a level 8 party is big, but I don't think it would drop any of my players.

The Monster Vault owlbear does 4d6+6 x2 with claw attacks, then bite auto-hits for 4d8+22.

If 2 claws hit then AP that's 8d6+4d8+34 damage.

 

[NewJeffCT]

The Monster Vault owlbear does 4d6+6 x2 with claw attacks, then bite auto-hits for 4d8+22.

If 2 claws hit then AP that's 8d6+4d8+34 damage.

Interesting - is that one available via the new online monster builder?

 

[IanB]

There is a "task" in there called Tuskgutter, which involves the PCs finding a wild boar that has been causing havoc. I can always substitute an owlbear there instead...

What I mean is the Big End Fight in one or the other of the adventures is against a giant angry owlbear, depends on how owlbear-themed you want the adventures to be I guess.

 

[NewJeffCT]

What I mean is the Big End Fight in one or the other of the adventures is against a giant angry owlbear, depends on how owlbear-themed you want the adventures to be I guess.

Interesting - I guess I can come up with something else, then. Maybe a tribe of wild boars, as they are level 6 in Monster Builder.

 

[NewJeffCT]

The Monster Vault owlbear does 4d6+6 x2 with claw attacks, then bite auto-hits for 4d8+22.

If 2 claws hit then AP that's 8d6+4d8+34 damage.

I found that in the online monster builder - certainly an 'upgrade' from the old monster builder in terms of damage output.

That is 28+18+34 for "average" damage of 80. That would drop anybody in my level 6 party right now (I think the fighter has 67 hit points at the top of the list)

Nasty.

My group has two very effective strikers, though, and dishes out a ton of damage per round.

 

[NewJeffCT]

Interestingly, was reading Kingmaker 1 and there is an owlbear in there.

self-kicking for more input.