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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Alzrius" data-source="post: 3359431" data-attributes="member: 8461">I agree with U_K about how to make Orcus a real planar badass. That said, it'll never happen (not in this edition, anyway) so I'll try to focus on what could actually be given in a Demonomicon article.FCI took care of a lot of my problems with Orcus - not in terms of the stats, which sucked, but in terms of the resources of his layer. For the first time that I can remember, Thanatos seemed like a vast place with myriad resources to draw on, both undead and demonic. FCI made Orcus's realm a fittingly impressive place for the Demon Prince of the Undead.In terms of Orcus's stats, I agree that he needs to be very nearly high enough to challenge Demogorgon at the very least (CR 31, like you said James).Beyond that, though, he needs some archetypal unique special powers. The BoVD incarnation of Orcus was tough, but nothing about it made me say "wow, this guy is the true master of undeath." Simply having spell-like abilities, spellcasting, and the ability to summon demons as well as undead isn't enough. Give Orcus incredible mastery over undead creatures, more than even an epic mortal could pull off (perhaps no upper limit on the amount of undead he can control). All of the other Demonomicon subjects have had several unique abilities; Orcus deserves no less. Also, as an aside, you might want him to have undead traits (e.g. healed by negative energy, etc).Also, get rid of that line about how "no undead serve him willingly." That's ridiculous - as the Prince of the Undead, the unliving should flock to him as a matter of course.Finally, make the Wand of Orcus into a true weapon to be feared. It's one of the most renowned and awesome artifacts in all of D&D, with legendary capabilities for killing creatures; so make it seem that way. Don't just give it magic weapon qualities and the ability to use some spells every round - an epic weapon could do that. Make it have death-dealing powers that'd scare any living creature. More than anything else, the Wand should be the reason that Demogorgon doesn't just try and rip Orcus apart personally.That's how you can make Orcus not suck.</blockquote>

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