bykov
First Post
I would disagree with this as the aboleth tries to avoid physical battle using its slaves/thralls/skum to do the dirty work.
I would go towards feats that augment its psionic abilities.
Bykov.
Special Conversion Thread: Aboleths
- Thread starter Shade
- Start date
I would disagree with this as the aboleth tries to avoid physical battle using its slaves/thralls/skum to do the dirty work.
I would go towards feats that augment its psionic abilities.
Bykov.
freyar
Extradimensional Explorer
Hmm, thinking about the feats, I kind of like Spell Penetration (which I believe works with SLAs and PsiLAs from the RAW) and Force of Will for both psionic and regular versions.
For the psionic one, should we go from Knowledge (any 3) to Knowledge (any 2) and Autohypnosis?
On the enslave racial bonus, perhaps +3 so the DC is the same as psionic dominate? Also on enslave, the equivalent CL for dominate is 16 for the regular aboleth. Shouldn't we bump that to 20 to match the other SLAs (we should check this on the saltwater, also)?
For the psionic one, should we go from Knowledge (any 3) to Knowledge (any 2) and Autohypnosis?
On the enslave racial bonus, perhaps +3 so the DC is the same as psionic dominate? Also on enslave, the equivalent CL for dominate is 16 for the regular aboleth. Shouldn't we bump that to 20 to match the other SLAs (we should check this on the saltwater, also)?
Shade
Monster Junkie
How about Use Magic/Psionic Device rather than one of the Knowledge skills?
Good catch!
Good catch!
bykov
First Post
Mental Stats...
What do you think of the following correlations with original aboleth?
INT +1 / racial HD
WIS +1 / 2 racial HD
CHA +1 / 4 racial HD
This would give the greater aboleth an 19 INT, 19 WIS, & 18 CHA.
Thus, as we go on (noble, etc.) we can see that build of the aboleth into the mental giant it should be.
Just my thoughts
Bykov.
What do you think of the following correlations with original aboleth?
INT +1 / racial HD
WIS +1 / 2 racial HD
CHA +1 / 4 racial HD
This would give the greater aboleth an 19 INT, 19 WIS, & 18 CHA.
Thus, as we go on (noble, etc.) we can see that build of the aboleth into the mental giant it should be.
Just my thoughts
Bykov.
Shade
Monster Junkie
That Int progression is too aggressive...the Grand Aboleth is going to end up far eclipsing great wyrm gold dragons, archdevils, demon lords, and most deities!
I'm OK with boosting mental scores a bit more, but I'd like to retain Cha higher than Int for each of them, as they are heavily SLA/Cha-based Su ability focused.
I'm OK with boosting mental scores a bit more, but I'd like to retain Cha higher than Int for each of them, as they are heavily SLA/Cha-based Su ability focused.
bykov
First Post
oooo...a debate
To their defense, they are also older than most deities. As for the Grand Aboleth, it depends on how you end up setting them up. The jump to 40 HD, and all racial, would be too much, IMO [I prefer 26 HD, but that debate is for when we get there ;-)]. Remember, 2nd Ed. didn't really take logical progressions into account, they went with what felt right with little regard to how it would get there.
I also disagree that the Aboleth is a creature of Charisma over Intelligence. Now, granted, the SRD has 15/17/17 and you want to keep that base line, it doesn't mean it must stay that way. Spell-like abilities are keen, but these monstrosities are geared to be Wizards and Psions, not Sorcerers and Wilders.
If you equate each HD after 8 HD to equal approx. 200-250 years, it is not that aggressive.
They were created by an elder evil.
They are mentally more evolved than dragons.
They have all but taken over Stygia. (I may be exaggerating a bit
)
For icing.....Genetic Memory. ;-)
Long run, aboleths should be mental (read INT) powerhouses.
Bykov.
To their defense, they are also older than most deities. As for the Grand Aboleth, it depends on how you end up setting them up. The jump to 40 HD, and all racial, would be too much, IMO [I prefer 26 HD, but that debate is for when we get there ;-)]. Remember, 2nd Ed. didn't really take logical progressions into account, they went with what felt right with little regard to how it would get there.
I also disagree that the Aboleth is a creature of Charisma over Intelligence. Now, granted, the SRD has 15/17/17 and you want to keep that base line, it doesn't mean it must stay that way. Spell-like abilities are keen, but these monstrosities are geared to be Wizards and Psions, not Sorcerers and Wilders.
If you equate each HD after 8 HD to equal approx. 200-250 years, it is not that aggressive.
They were created by an elder evil.
They are mentally more evolved than dragons.
They have all but taken over Stygia. (I may be exaggerating a bit
)For icing.....Genetic Memory. ;-)
Long run, aboleths should be mental (read INT) powerhouses.
Bykov.
Shade
Monster Junkie
Which would definitely account for Knowledge skills, but not necessarily raw intellect.
They aren't ominiscient, like some deities, after all.Definitely 40 HD. I want that fellow to hold its own against Demogorgon and Asmodeus.
If the ecology article is to be believed, they are creatures of science over magic.
Indeed. Based on the Lovecraftian sources that inspired them, I could see a stronger sense of "self awareness/raw emotion" than intellect, which would lean toward Cha.
So were the demons.
Says who?
Once again, good support for Knowledgeable, not necessarily raw intellect.
freyar
Extradimensional Explorer
Well, not having the original monsters all available right now, I can't absolutely say, but we already decided not to treat this specifically as a kind of advancement (ie, age categories). So let's take this on a case-by-case basis, I think.
Although, bykov, I am really keen on aboleths with age categories if the opportunity presents itself in the future.
Although, bykov, I am really keen on aboleths with age categories if the opportunity presents itself in the future.
