Special Conversion Thread: Moldvay's Undead

[freyar]

Constrict with extra acid damage sounds like the way to go to me, also.

 

[Shade]

Added to Homebrews.

 

[Cleon]

You like creating new abilities, don't you?

Let's stick with improved grab and constrict here (with an acid rider on constrict).

I'm always in favor of sticking with common abilities, where possible, as many feat prereqs and other "add-ons" often use such things. Plus, it makes for simpler bookkeeping for the DM.

Why yes I do!

The Corrosive Embrace proposal was based on an Improved Grab and Rend combo rather than Improved Grab and Constrict.

The original Acid Zombie needed to hit with both fists to do extra acid damage, which is kinda-sorta similar to a Dire Ape's Rend attack.

Either way, I'd increase the Acid damage from the Constrict/Rend to 2d4 or 3d4. Preferably 3d4 acid.

 

[freyar]

On the other hand, the extra acid damage comes from a "bear hug," really a constrict. I think what we have is ok, though I agree increasing the acid damage would be good (since it's more like full-body full-round exposure). 3d4 would work.

 

[Shade]

Sounds good.

Updated. This thing is flying along!

Look at the acid and constrict entries, and decide upon the greater damage for Large and Huge versions.

CR?

An acid zombie can be created with a create undead spell from a xth-level caster, but also requires acid arrow and x.

 

[freyar]

I'd be ok with just stepping up the dice size like usual, with the first step turning d4->d6. But what you have is fine, too.

Great damage potential, low AC, low hp. How about we boost natural armor to +4 or +5 and get it to CR 3? Maybe throw in unholy toughness or whatever it's called to improve the hp if needed?

Probably 12th level caster like a ghast.

 

[Shade]

Sure, I can go along with the improved NA and unholy toughness.

 

[freyar]

Are these done if we do that?

 

[Shade]

On second thought, unholy toughness does it no good, as it has a Cha penalty. I can't really see justifying it above Cha 10, so perhaps we should just settle upon CR 2.

 

[Cleon]

I'd be ok with just stepping up the dice size like usual, with the first step turning d4->d6. But what you have is fine, too.

Great damage potential, low AC, low hp. How about we boost natural armor to +4 or +5 and get it to CR 3? Maybe throw in unholy toughness or whatever it's called to improve the hp if needed?

Probably 12th level caster like a ghast.

Yes, I prefer increasing the acid damage as per the size increase rules - 1d6 acid for Large, 1d8 acid for Huge, with triple damage for a Hug.

They seem like squishy, low level threats to me so I'd keep their NA at +3 and make them Challenge Rating 2.