Planar Vermin: The Adamant Beetle

[Krishnath]

The 18th-level nigh-epic archer imc routinely deals in the neighborhood of 10-13 hp per arrow, and he's a machine gun. He has trouble with DR 15/x, but DR 10/x only slows him down. It's significant, but not crucial.

Just my experience- he's the lowest level guy in the group, but he pumps lots of damage out.

You're right about the SR, though- an 18th level caster would need a 14 to punch through. Bad news for the wizards.

Either way, I really like these guys!

I would like to see that archer outrun one of these.

 

[pyrobob]

pleez forgive a nitpicker, but wouldnt the damage be 2d6+22? thats based on str bonus x 1.5, or 15+7, correct? and the total attack bonus would be bab + str bonus, or 15+15=30, not 28, right? Will save would be 6+1= 7 not 8. i'm kinda new at monster creation, so please be kind!

and yes, we DO need more Acheron critters- seems as tho that plane is an empty... plain to WotC... VERY nice little bug, if not so nice or little...

 

[EldonG]

I would like to see that archer outrun one of these.

Catch his bow in the acid spray...

Heck...does it haveta be metallic? Darn.

 

[Krishnath]

pleez forgive a nitpicker, but wouldnt the damage be 2d6+22? thats based on str bonus x 1.5, or 15+7, correct? and the total attack bonus would be bab + str bonus, or 15+15=30, not 28, right? Will save would be 6+1= 7 not 8. i'm kinda new at monster creation, so please be kind!

and yes, we DO need more Acheron critters- seems as tho that plane is an empty... plain to WotC... VERY nice little bug, if not so nice or little...

Damage: Oops... I'll fix it shortly.

Attack Bonus: You forgot the size modifier, which means I am correct.

Will Save: Typo, fixing it shortly.

Eldon G: The breathweapon still deals damage to the bow, as does the bite attack. But the breathweapon should deal enough damage to destroy it.

 

[EldonG]

Damage: Oops... I'll fix it shortly.

Attack Bonus: You forgot the size modifier, which means I am correct.

Will Save: Typo, fixing it shortly.

Eldon G: The breathweapon still deals damage to the bow, as does the bite attack. But the breathweapon should deal enough damage to destroy it.

Muahahahaha!

 

[Krishnath]

Muahahahaha!

Just make sure your players blame me, and not you... For a truely epic challenge, add a template or two, such as Paragon.

 

[EldonG]

Just make sure your players blame me, and not you... For a truely epic challenge, add a template or two, such as Paragon.

I'm just gonna advance 'em a little after making 'em outsiders with the fiendish template...a 60 HD one is CR 38...and my lvl 40 bad guy needs a fun pet...(he already deals with devils...this is perfect!)

Edit: heck...hmmm...that seems redundant, after all. Maybe I will use a different template...

 

[Krishnath]

I'm just gonna advance 'em a little after making 'em outsiders with the fiendish template...a 60 HD one is CR 38...and my lvl 40 bad guy needs a fun pet...(he already deals with devils...this is perfect!)

Edit: heck...hmmm...that seems redundant, after all. Maybe I will use a different template...

A few suggestions:

Paragon (ELH): You know there has to be a paragon adamant beetle somewhere, and it "only" adds +12 to the CR, allowing for some advancement....

Half-Fiend: A classic, the additional resistances, Smite Good, additional DR (which would be redundant), and other powers would be an asset. Only +3 to CR.

Monstrous (from Savage Species), give the creature a few more abilities without actually increasing the CR by much. Fire or Cold immunity perhaps? Also increases the HD to d10's. Afterwards you could add the next template I'll list for even more fun.

Monster of Legend (MM2): New immunities, resistances, spell-like abilities, and strange powers, this template has it, plus quite a few ability boosts. Ever seen a beetle with 5 int? Only downside is that you have to make the beetle a magical beast first, but you can do that with the Monstrous template.

 

[EldonG]

A few suggestions:

Paragon (ELH): You know there has to be a paragon adamant beetle somewhere, and it "only" adds +12 to the CR, allowing for some advancement....

Half-Fiend: A classic, the additional resistances, Smite Good, additional DR (which would be redundant), and other powers would be an asset. Only +3 to CR.

Monstrous (from Savage Species), give the creature a few more abilities without actually increasing the CR by much. Fire or Cold immunity perhaps? Also increases the HD to d10's. Afterwards you could add the next template I'll list for even more fun.

Monster of Legend (MM2): New immunities, resistances, spell-like abilities, and strange powers, this template has it, plus quite a few ability boosts. Ever seen a beetle with 5 int? Only downside is that you have to make the beetle a magical beast first, but you can do that with the Monstrous template.

As much as I love your suggestions, I have to stick with OGL stuff...fortunately, I have the Deluxe Book of Templates...

Btw, Krish...have you looked at my Flesh-fused Monstrosity? I'd love your opinion...

 

[Krishnath]

Not much to say, should probably be made similar to the Astral Constructs from the XPHB. A base creature for each size category with tables the DM can choose abilities to customise the creatures with. Other than that, nothing.