Special Conversion Thread: Plants

[Cleon]

I like this approach.

Let's follow that then. I would suggest a Violet Fungi or Shrieker would be a good Plant creature to base it on.

I'd say "no", but it's debatable.

I would prefer the thorns not to detach, but raised the question because it wasn't clear from the text.

Yeah, that's much better.

Let's see, 1d10 thorns averages 5.5, each thorn does 1d2 damage for a 1.5 average, 5.5 times 1.5 equals 8.25 average damage.

2d6 or 1d12 damage?

Plus "ignite" for 1d20 fire damage (Reflex save for half)?

 

[freyar]

Like I said, just jazz it up a little to make it a monster.

I don't think the thorns detach, either.

Go with 1d12 since we don't get to use that enough and ignite as proposed.

 

[Shade]

Let's base it off a shrieker, since a violet fungus is mobile.

 

[Cleon]

Let's base it off a shrieker, since a violet fungus is mobile.

Here goes nothing!

A Shrieker doesn't have a Strength score, so the firethorn wouldn't be able to do any damage when it "lashes out".

A shrieker also doesn't have a Dexterity score, so if we want to keep the AC to the equivalent of the original Firethorn's AC8 it'll need a high natural armour.

How about averaging the stats of the two Fungi?

Shrieker: Str —, Dex —, Con 13, Int —, Wis 2, Cha 1
Violet Fungi: Str 14, Dex 8, Con 16, Int —, Wis 11, Cha 9
Firethorn: Str 7, Dex 4, Con 15, Int —, Wis 6, Cha 5

Hmm, I think I'd rather lean toward the Shrieker - Str 10, Wis 6, Cha 1?

Firethorn
Medium Plant
Hit Dice: 6d8+12 (39 hp)
Initiative: -3
Speed: 0 ft.
Armor Class: 12 (-3 Dex, +5 natural), touch 7, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+4
Attack: Thorns +6? melee (1d12 plus ignite)
Full Attack: Thorns +6? melee (1d12 plus ignite)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./0 ft.
Special Attacks: Confusing scent, ignite, thorns
Special Qualities: Low-light vision or blind?, plant traits, tremorsense 60 ft.?
Saves: Fort +7, Ref +2, Will +0
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 4, Con 15, Int —, Wis 6, Cha 1
Skills: —
Feats: —
Environment: plains or swamps
Organization: Solitary, patch (2-20) or cluster (20-200)
Challenge Rating: 4?
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 7-9 HD (Medium) ?
Level Adjustment: —

Confusing Scent (Ex): Firethorns emit a mind-affecting perfume which causes confusion for 1d6 rounds in any creature that does not succeed at a DC X Fortitude save. The scent affects any creature what comes too close to a firethorn (usually 10 ft, but a strong wind can change the range to 5 ft. upwind and 20 ft. downwind).

Ignite (Ex): A firethorn's thorns burst into flames whenever they strike an opponent, doing an additional 1d20 fire damage (DC X Reflex save for half damage).

Thorns (Ex): A firethorn's thorn attack has a +2 bonus to attack rolls. Any creature or object struck by the thorns will be burnt by the thorns bursting into fire (see Ignite).

 

[freyar]

Why the seemingly random +2 bonus to attack? We also seem to need to add a Con-damage poison to the thorns, right?

Want to add an SQ saying they give off heat or leave that as flavor text?

 

[Shade]

Why the seemingly random +2 bonus to attack? We also seem to need to add a Con-damage poison to the thorns, right?

Yeah, don't like that. I'd rather boost Str and/or give it Weapon Focus as a bonus feat.

Want to add an SQ saying they give off heat or leave that as flavor text?

Since it appears nondamaging, flavor text will probably suffice.

 

[Cleon]

Why the seemingly random +2 bonus to attack? We also seem to need to add a Con-damage poison to the thorns, right?

Why? To make it hit more often, obviously!

You see, the original's 1-10 thorn attacks meant it was very likely one or more would hit. Since we've folded that all into one "thorns" attack I though it best to add an attack bonus to give is a reasonable chance of inflicting damage.

Want to add an SQ saying they give off heat or leave that as flavor text?

Since it doesn't have an in-combat use I think we can leave it as flavour.

 

[Cleon]

Yeah, don't like that. I'd rather boost Str and/or give it Weapon Focus as a bonus feat.

I would like to keep the damage bonus as low as possible, so I'd go for one of the following:

#1 WF and GWF (thorns)
#2 Str 12 and WF (thorns)
#3 Str 14 and "secondary damage bonus" for thorns

Of those I'm leaning towards #2.

 

[Shade]

Agreed. #2 is the only option that makes sense.

Another option: Area attack requiring Reflex save. Essentially, the thorns lash out and quickly retract as a burst.

 

[Cleon]

Agreed. #2 is the only option that makes sense.

Another option: Area attack requiring Reflex save. Essentially, the thorns lash out and quickly retract as a burst.

Could work, some kind of "Thorny Defense" that's triggered the first time a creature over a given size enters a square it threatens?

Reflex save for half damage I suppose.