New Monster Swordwing!

[cferejohn]

It just seems to me like these are the *generic* versions of the monsters we are seeing. I have the distinct impression that DMs are going to be encouraged (and given guidelines for) modifying these generic versions with tier-appropriate abilities to make more interesting encounters at higher levels, just as a DM would take a group of Orcs and make some of them spellcasters, some more powerful fighters, some archers, etc.

 

[doctorhook]

I'm actually shocked by how many people apparently don't like the Swordwing! I think these guys rock as epic tier grunts, and I'm definitely going to be including a hive of these guys in my campaign. I really don't believe that every epic encounter needs to be against an Elder Dragon or a Demigod or a Demonlord; I'm happy to see a cool-looking "normal" monster for beyond 20th level.

There's waayy too much negativity in this thread!

 

[I'm A Banana]

Even epic-level grunts should be interesting. That was pointed out upthread a bit, but it's fantastically true.

 

[doctorhook]

Even epic-level grunts should be interesting. That was pointed out upthread a bit, but it's fantastically true.

I absolutely agree with you: epic-level grunts SHOULD be interesting. Personally, I do find Swordwings interesting, but as always, YMMV.

In all fairness though, I will admit I only skimmed the fluff-text of the article. This was deliberate, as I generally prefer to let my imagination wander, and the Swordwing did not disappoint me.

 

[Shroomy]

I'm actually shocked by how many people apparently don't like the Swordwing! I think these guys rock as epic tier grunts, and I'm definitely going to be including a hive of these guys in my campaign. I really don't believe that every epic encounter needs to be against an Elder Dragon or a Demigod or a Demonlord; I'm happy to see a cool-looking "normal" monster for beyond 20th level.

There's waayy too much negativity in this thread!

Yeah, I got to agree with doctorhook here...there's epic monsters with a capital E and then there are monsters meant to fight epic characters. I think that the crownwing does have the stats to be a mastermind of sorts, but I think if you truly want a bigtime villain, you'll have to do some adjustments. Both just happen to be mechanically represented by monster levels of 20+ (though truly epic monsters are probably better represented as elite or solo monsters). I've already got ideas swirling around the idea of a crownwing lich, perhaps with a class template (however those work).

 

[Jhaelen]

Alternately, substitute the ythrak, the digester, or, heck, even the destrachan (and I'm being generous on that one, because their fluff is perhaps the best out of the group).

Well, I've used the yrthak. But I only used it because the gulgar (from MM3) use them as mounts. Gulgar had very interesting fluff (love their infrasonic speech!), imho.

So, monsters can become interesting retroactively when interesting monsters are added that associate or synergize with them. The same could be true with the swordwings: If there's e.g. an intriguing controller type monster in the book that breeds these for its army they become more interesting by association.

 

[Lizard]

It occurs to me that the swordwing can be 'fixed' by the simple expedient of adding a single class level -- give them one level of Rogue (granting a lot of skills) and take Skill Training as a feat to pick up the skill needed to do rituals (so they can cast Identify). Because 4e lacks skill points, even a single level in a class grants a LOT of level-appropriate skill benefits, and the rogue powers synergize nicely with the swordwing. They may not be 'epic level' powers, but an extra d6 is an extra d6...and my theoretical swordwing mastermind isn't supposed to be a combat monster anyway.

Or I suppose I could just create a "Swordwing Archivist" monster from scratch, if it came to that, making him an Elite Leader type.

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

Blood makes them angry?

"You are bleeding. That makes me Sooooo angry!"

Incensed seems to be a funny word to use here.

They frenzy at the scent of blood? Kind of like sharks?

Brad

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

We must have spent literally a year and a half of real-time in our online Shadowrun game dealing with the Bug City event - Chicago under quarantine, with insect-spirit invaders and their freakin' queens coming in from another plane, trying to possess valuable hosts and eat the rest. It was a really fun story arc, but it's over now, and I don't want to fight another hive ever again.

Look at it this way, though.

THESE aren't immune to Panther Assault Cannon rounds.

Brad

 

[Spatula]

Tell the truth, these things strike me as being more Feywild than Far Realms.

Agreed. There's not one tentacle on the buggers! I would picture a Far Realms flying thing to look at least as oddball as a Mi-Go.

Hm, a lot of neat Mi-Go pictures out there. Bless you, google image search!
http://br.geocities.com/ktulurising/Galeria/migo.jpg
http://www.hplovecraft.es/fotos/hpedia/migo.jpg
http://www.hamsterizer.com/Art/images/Items/MiGo01b.jpg