the Carrion Crawler's Tentacle attack - please explain

[ReeboKesh]

Just got my 4th edition books today and I was flicking through the MM when I stopped to read the Carrion Crawlers entry.

I did play the Game Day preview so I understand how ongoing damage occurs at start of turn and saves at end. I just can't tell from reading that when the victim of the Carrion Crawler's attack saves, takes damage, is paralyzed etc.

I'm sure it will become clear once I have a good read of the rules but can someone give me a head start explain to me the how the Carrion Crawler's tentacle attack works in combat.
Thanks
Reebo

 

[fnwc]

The Carrion Crawler ("CC") attacks and hits the PC. The PC is poisoned and slowed.

At the beginning of the PC's first turn following the CC's attack, he takes 5 poison damage. At the end of this turn, he makes a save. If he makes it, then he is no longer poisoned or slowed. If he fails, then the becomes immobilized and poisoned rather than slowed and poisoned.

At the beginning of the PC's second turn following the CC's attack, he takes 5 poison damage. At the end of this turn, he makes a save. If he makes it, then he is no longer poisoned or immobilized. If he fails, then the becomes stunned and poisoned rather than immobilized and poisoned.

All further rounds after this, the PC is stunned and poisoned until they successfully save. All saves against the CC's effects are at -2.

In effect, every failed save makes one of the conditions worse (slow -> immobilized -> stunned) while the poison effect stays the same. Once a player successfully saves, all effects are removed.

 

[DracoSuave]

It works with similiar mechanics (but different effects and complexity) as the wizard's Sleep spell. If you can grok the Sleep spell, this is just its cousin.

 

[ReeboKesh]

Thanks guys. A couple of more questions.
Does the PC make one save for the poison AND the paralysis or a separate save for each effect?
I've noticed some races have +5 bonus to saves, such as the dwarves +5 to poison. Does this mean they save on a 5 or more vs poison rather than the normal 10 or more?
Reebo

 

[Saeviomagy]

In this particular case I believe that he saves against both with a single roll. This is normal - typically you save against the effects of an entire power rather than each of the results of that power individually.

Yes, if a race gets +5 to saves in a category, they save on a 5 or more.

 

[Klaumbaz]

Mr obvious

Just to state the obvious. without any other abilities, just a straight save...

45% of getting immobilized
about 20% chance of getting stunned.

1 out of 5, not bad.