Special Conversion Thread: Finishing off the oozes

[freyar]

I like the necromantic touch with healing suggested by Shade, too.

By Con-based, I meant the usual 10+HD/2+Con bonus. And that works for me.

 

[Shade]

Updated.

Shall we work on the "zombify" ability?

Here's a start...

"Zombify" (Su): As a full-round action, a necromantic sludge can flow into the skin of a slain opponent. The victim gains the zombie template for as long as the necromantic sludge inhabits it. The necromantic sludge may discard the body at any time (another full-round action), at which point it becomes an inanimate corpse again.

While controlling a zombie, all damage directed at the creature is absorbed by the zombie first. Targeted spells may not be directed at the sludge, but can be directed at the zombie. If the zombie sustains enough damage in a single attack to destroy it, any remaining damage is transferred to the sludge. The zombie does not benefit from the sludge's reflective spell resistance.

The necromantic sludge uses its own mental ability scores while controlling the zombie. It may wield weapons with the zombie body, and is considered proficient in all simple weapons.

 

[Cleon]

Updated.

Shall we work on the "zombify" ability?

Here's a start...

"Zombify" (Su): As a full-round action, a necromantic sludge can flow into the skin of a slain opponent. The victim gains the zombie template for as long as the necromantic sludge inhabits it. The necromantic sludge may discard the body at any time (another full-round action), at which point it becomes an inanimate corpse again.

While controlling a zombie, all damage directed at the creature is absorbed by the zombie first. Targeted spells may not be directed at the sludge, but can be directed at the zombie. If the zombie sustains enough damage in a single attack to destroy it, any remaining damage is transferred to the sludge. The zombie does not benefit from the sludge's reflective spell resistance.

The necromantic sludge uses its own mental ability scores while controlling the zombie. It may wield weapons with the zombie body, and is considered proficient in all simple weapons.

The mechanics look fine to me. I'd specify that it only works on Humanoid corpses though.

 

[Shade]

Let's revisit this...

Necromantic sludge reflects spells as a ring of spell turning, except that it reflects 100% of a spell’s or magical item’s effect.

Here are a few existing creatures with similar mechanics.

Spell Reflection (Ex): Any spell or effect that targets the mirror mephit and does not overcome its SR is reflected directly back at the caster or the user of the item that generated it. This new target is entitled to a saving throw if the effect permits one. Area spells are never reflected unless they are visual effects, such as color spray. In this case, only the portion of the area that surrounds the mirror mephit is reflected; all other creatures in the area are affected normally.

Reflective Spell Resistance (Sp): A nerra has a special type of spell resistance that causes any targeted spell it successfully resists to bounce off and reflect back at the caster. The caster becomes either the spell's target or the point of origin for the spell's effect, as appropriate. In addition, nerras are immune to gaze attacks, and such an effect is reflected back to its origin.


For starters, I'm not fond of the fact that the nerra's is spell-like. I think the mirror mephit's could work, if we leave out the visual effect part.

Alternatively, we could give it a new ability, and simply state that it functions as the spell turning spell, with no limits on spell levels.

Preferences?

 

[Cleon]

Let's revisit this...

Here are a few existing creatures with similar mechanics.

Spell Reflection (Ex): Any spell or effect that targets the mirror mephit and does not overcome its SR is reflected directly back at the caster or the user of the item that generated it. This new target is entitled to a saving throw if the effect permits one. Area spells are never reflected unless they are visual effects, such as color spray. In this case, only the portion of the area that surrounds the mirror mephit is reflected; all other creatures in the area are affected normally.

Reflective Spell Resistance (Sp): A nerra has a special type of spell resistance that causes any targeted spell it successfully resists to bounce off and reflect back at the caster. The caster becomes either the spell's target or the point of origin for the spell's effect, as appropriate. In addition, nerras are immune to gaze attacks, and such an effect is reflected back to its origin.


For starters, I'm not fond of the fact that the nerra's is spell-like. I think the mirror mephit's could work, if we leave out the visual effect part.

Alternatively, we could give it a new ability, and simply state that it functions as the spell turning spell, with no limits on spell levels.

Preferences?

The latter option (as the spell with no level limits) is the closest to the original text, but it's a potent ability for a 4 HD monster.

I'll vote for something like the mephit's Spell Reflection, although with it "Supernatural" rather than "Extraordinary".

 

[freyar]

Zombify works for me, too.

I think I also agree with the mirror mephit version. Change to Su and drop the visual effects bit. What kind of SR should we give this thing?

 

[Shade]

Since it was originally assumed to essentially auto-succeed, we could either give it a really high SR (like CR + 15), or just change the ability to something like this...

Spell Reflection (Su): Any spell or effect that targets the necromantic sludge is reflected directly back at the caster or the user of the item that generated it. This new target is entitled to a saving throw if the effect permits one. Area spells are never reflected.

 

[freyar]

Looks good to me. One last thing on zombify: should we specify that a "zombie" reduced to 0 hp is hacked to pieces or something and unsuitable for another use as a "zombie vehicle"?

If we're fine with the names zombify and spell reflection, I say we move on to skills and feats. I'd suggest maxing Spot. For feats, maybe Weapon Focus (slam) and maybe Iron Will?

 

[Shade]

Looks good to me. One last thing on zombify: should we specify that a "zombie" reduced to 0 hp is hacked to pieces or something and unsuitable for another use as a "zombie vehicle"?

An excellent suggestion!

If we're fine with the names zombify and spell reflection, I say we move on to skills and feats. I'd suggest maxing Spot. For feats, maybe Weapon Focus (slam) and maybe Iron Will?

Before moving on, we still need to tackle its odd ability to negate magical weapon bonuses.

Maybe something like a personal-range antimagic field? Particularly this bit: "Furthermore, while a magic sword does not function magically within the area, it is still a sword (and a masterwork sword at that)."

 

[Cleon]

Looks good to me. One last thing on zombify: should we specify that a "zombie" reduced to 0 hp is hacked to pieces or something and unsuitable for another use as a "zombie vehicle"?

Well a regular zombie can't be reanimated once destroyed, going by the Animate Dead spell, so it's arguably unnecessary. No harm in restating it if you want to.

If we're fine with the names zombify and spell reflection, I say we move on to skills and feats. I'd suggest maxing Spot. For feats, maybe Weapon Focus (slam) and maybe Iron Will?

I'd go for giving it a high Spell Resistance for its level - SR 18? - rather than automatic reflection.

As for feats, Weapon Focus (slam) looks good but I'm not so sure about Iron Will. Lightning Reflexes or Improved Initiative would be of more use, considering the sludge has only got Dex 1.