Thoughts on Hybrid Monsters

[chronoplasm]

The discussion on hybrid classes got me thinking...
What about hybrid monsters?

That is, suppose there were monsters that could change their roles when a certain condition is met? For example, lets say you have a Soldier monster that is supposed to be guarding the Controller monster. What happens if the monster it is supposed to be protecting dies though? It has nothing to guard anymore! Perhaps when that happens, the monster undergoes some kind of transformation and becomes a Skirmisher with a powerful ultimate attack. Likewise, perhaps you could have a Controller that transforms into a second, more frightening form when you take out the Soldiers that are supposed to be protecting it. Put those two together and you have a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation where the outcome of the battle depends on which monster you kill first.

It would also be cool to have elites and solos that simply transform when they become bloodied.

So, some ideas:

• A guarding Soldier monster that transforms into a Skirmisher when you kill the monster it is supposed to guard.
• A Controller monster that transforms into a Brute when you kill the monsters that were guarding it.
• An Elite/Solo that transforms when bloodied.
• Minions that transform into Brutes if their Leader completes a ritual.
• A Brute that becomes a Lurker when its armor is destroyed.
• A Brute, a Controller, an Artillery, and a Skirmisher that can all combine into some kind of Solo monster.

What do you think?

 

[Ltheb Silverfrond]

I have an encounter planned in my current game that is similar to what you propose. The party, likely 15th level or so at the time, will encounter a group of Vampires in one of the upcomming encounters. These are more of the 'Blade-esque-cannon-fodder" vampires, because I wanted them to be numerous. What I came up with were Minions who, under specific conditions (Biting their foe and draining blood: having combat advantage, hitting with their main attack, and hitting with a followup attack against fortitude) gain temporary hit points. (I had the ability give them ~40 HP, as thats about as much as 1/4th a normal monsters HP for their level)

In this way they start as Minions, with a few lucky shots or through foolish PC tactics, possibly becoming a serious threat. 20 15th level minions is nothing to a 15th level party. 20 15th level brutes is fatal.

Theres actually a 3E monster similar to what you are talking about (although it was designed during the 4E planning and testing phase, so it does draw inspiration from 4E and likely will show up in some 4E monster Manual) - The Spirrax - A Horrible Cthulhu-esque squid thing that shoots energy blasts and, when sufficiently damaged, it's tough shell breaks (likely at blooded) and its AC drops greatly but it gains use of more tentacle attacks. (Effectively like going from a Controller to a Brute) I think it was in the MM5?

Monsters 'changing roles' seems like a good way to spice up Elite foes.

 

[chronoplasm]

That's cool. Perhaps when the vampires gain enough temporary hit points they can gain some kind of additional bonus?

Spirrax sounds pretty neat.


OK, so I'm not very good at statting up monsters, but let me know what you think so far. I'll have the transformation in a little bit.

Furnace Guardian
Level 3 Soldier

Medium Elemental Animate (Fire, Contruct)
XP 150

Initiative +0
Senses Perception +1

HP 26; Bloodied 13
AC 18; Fortitude 13, Reflex 13, Will 13
Speed 4
Action Points 1
[FONT=&quot]M[/FONT] Fire Sword (Standard; at-will)
+10 vs. AC; 1d6+3 damage plus 1d6 fire damage.
[FONT=&quot]m[/FONT] Guard Creature (Immediate Reaction,when an adjacent enemy attacks the guarded creature. ; at-will)
Furnace Guardian makes a fire sword attack against the enemy.
Transformation (Standard; daily)
When the guarded creature is destroyed (see guard), Furnace Guardian is replaced with Furnace Rager.
Alignment Lawful Good
Languages

Str 18 (+5)
Dex 14 (+3)
Wis 11 (+1)
Con 10 (+1)
Int 10 (+1)
Cha 8 (+0)

Equipment Heavy Shield, Long Sword