Special Conversion Thread: Moldvay's Undead

[freyar]

We have to do better than this, these are just skeletons with a bit of turn resistance. I guess they can have some Int, too. Frankly, the Pathfinder bloody skeleton is much nicer so far.

Maybe we can tack on stench from the bits of flesh?

 

[Shade]

They've also got frightful presence, but yeah, they need a bit more.

 

[freyar]

Ok, the original text has Int, +2 turn resistance, frightful presence (or other fear aura). Stench is a possibility. Unnatural aura also appeals to me a little. Maybe just give them decent weapons and reasonable feats and leave them fairly simple?

 

[Cleon]

Ok, the original text has Int, +2 turn resistance, frightful presence (or other fear aura). Stench is a possibility. Unnatural aura also appeals to me a little. Maybe just give them decent weapons and reasonable feats and leave them fairly simple?

I'd rather drop the stench and make them stealthy killers, as they "kill and rob victims". Maybe give them a thief's Sneak Attack and related traits?

 

[Shade]

That could work! The next variant skeleton also has a bit of a character class "theme", with skleros being fighters. So these guys being rogueish makes sense.

Both seem to be "lite", monster versions of the skeleton warrior template.

 

[freyar]

I like the sneak attack idea. So drop stench and unnatural aura and make them roguish with a frightful presence. Maybe triggered if they get a surprise round?

 

[Shade]

Sounds good.

Pretending it was a 3rd-level rogue with the following elite array assignment...

Str 13, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 8, Cha 12

...and applying the usual +2 Dex for the skelton template, give us:

Str 13, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 8, Cha 12
Evasion
Sneak attack +2d6

Seem reasonable?

 

[Cleon]

Sounds good.

Pretending it was a 3rd-level rogue with the following elite array assignment...

Str 13, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 8, Cha 12

...and applying the usual +2 Dex for the skelton template, give us:

Str 13, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 8, Cha 12
Evasion
Sneak attack +2d6

Seem reasonable?

The physical stats and thief special abilities look good, but the original has Low Intelligence (5-7), so swap around the Wisdom and Int?

No, belay that. They've got a Fear attack, so I'd put the 14 in Charisma, the 12 in Wisdom and the 8 in Intelligence:

Str 13, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 14
Evasion
Sneak attack +2d6

 

[Shade]

Added to Homebrews.

I retained all the usual traits of the skeleton template (claw attacks, immunity to cold, DR, etc.)

 

[freyar]

Looks pretty good. Do we need to spell out evasion at the bottom?

Let's give them a light crossbow and something finessable, like a rapier or short sword.