Trash My Arabic Ghoul

[ren1999]

Please help me improve this monster.

name: Arabic Ghoul
level: 5
class: Lurker
size: Medium
race: Undead Humanoid
experience points: 200
maximum hit points: 22
maximum surges: 0
current hit points: 22
initiative modifier: +8
perception: +2 darkvision
speed: 8, climb 4
saving throws: immune disease, poison resist 10 necrotic, vulnerable 5 radiant
conditions: no conditions
armor class: 21
fortitude: 18
reflex: 20
will: 17
alignment: Chaotic Evil
languages: Common
strength: 14(+4)
constitution: 15(+4)
dexterity: 19(+6)
intelligence: 10(+2)
wisdom: 11(+2)
charisma: 12(+3)
skills: Stealth +11
Thrash(At-Will) vs ac 1d20+12 stunned save ends 1d6+4
Gnaw(At-Will) vs ac 1d20+10 weakened save ends 2d6+4
Leap(Encounter, Move) 1d0+0 leap 3 squares 1d0+0
Shape Shift(Encounter) vs fo 1d20+12 appears as loving friend not to be attacked save ends 1d0+0
equipment: 0
piece name: G1
pc or npc type: npc
image: ghoul.png

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[FireLance]

Let me state upfront that I am not familiar with the mythology of Arabian ghouls, so my comments are strictly from a mechanical perspective.

First off, the hit points seem rather low for a 5th-level monster. The typical hit point value for a 5th-level lurker is 6 (lurker hp) x 6 (level + 1) + Constitution score = 51 hp for a Constitution of 15.

That said, the defenses seem rather high; on average, about 2 points higher than they should be. Typical AC and non-AC defense values for a 5th-level lurker are 19 AC (14 + level) and 17 (12 + level) respectively.

With respect to the attack powers, stunned and weakened are major conditions and frustrating for the players, and I would use them sparingly. I would certainly avoid at-will attacks that stun or weaken (save ends).

The attack bonuses for Thrash and Shape Shift seem rather high. Typical attack bonuses for a 5th-level lurker are +10 (level + 5) vs. AC and +8 (level + 3) vs. a non-AC defense such as Fortitude.

In addition, it does not appear to have any abilities that allow it to "lurk" apart from its high Stealth modifier.

If the basic concept is a shape-shifting monster that assumes the form of a loved one, you might consider the following abilities to portray that instead:

Shape Shift * At-Will
Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +8 vs. Will
Hit: 2d6+6 psychic damage, and the target cannot make an attack that includes the Arabic ghoul (save ends). This effect also ends if the Arabic ghoul hits another creature with shape shift.

Thrash * At-Will
Attack: Melee 1 (one creature affected by the Arabic ghoul's shape shift); +10 vs. AC
Hit: 3d6+6 damage, and the target is weakened until the end of the Arabic ghoul's next turn.

Gnaw * At-Will
Attack: Melee 1 (one weakened creature); +10 vs. AC
Hit: 3d6+6 damage, and the target is stunned until the end of the Arabic ghoul's next turn.​

Throw in a melee basic attack, maybe a Claw attack hitting at +10 vs. AC for 2d6+6 damage, and you've got a creature with a potentially devastating three-stage attack, but which gives the PC affected by the attack and his allies a number of opportunities to interfere with it (by marking, moving the ghoul and/or the victim around to prevent attacks, etc.) and minimize the effects.

 

[the Jester]

I agree, in essence, with FireLance's critique, but if you want it to be a lurker, here's what I would do:

Shapeshift (Polymorph) * At Will (Standard Action)
Effect: The ghoul shifts 3 squares and takes on the appearance of a loved one or ally of one of its enemies. That enemy cannot make an attack that includes the ghoul as a target (save ends).

Then lower the damage on its attacks and add a "+2d6 damage against an enemy that thinks the ghoul is one of its loved ones" clause.

 

[ren1999]

I combined both of your suggestions and play tested it a bit. This is what I came up with. The combat is fairly challenging. I had to lower the hit points from 51 to 31 in order to keep the combat time down. The players get bored if we don't keep it under about 8 minutes. Any suggestions on how I can make this monster more lurk'y and stealthy?

name: Arabic Ghoul
level: 5
class: Lurker
size: Medium
race: Undead Humanoid
experience points: 200
maximum hit points: 31
maximum surges: 0
current hit points: 31
initiative modifier: +8
perception: +2 darkvision
speed: 8, climb 4
saving throws: disease, poison resist 10 necrotic, vulnerable 5 radiant
armor class: 19
fortitude: 17
reflex: 17
will: 17
alignment: Chaotic Evil
languages: Common
strength: 14(+4)
constitution: 15(+4)
dexterity: 19(+6)
intelligence: 10(+2)
wisdom: 11(+2)
charisma: 12(+3)
skills: Stealth +11
Leap(Encounter) 1d0+0 attacker leaps 3 squares 1d0+0
Shape Shift(Encounter, Melee 1 Foe) vs wi 1d20+8 foe can not attack ghoul save ends, ghoul must attack target only 1d0+0
Thrash x2(At-Will, Melee, 1 Foe) vs ac 1d20+10 foe weakened till attacker next turn 1d6+6
Gnaw(At-Will, Melee, 1 Weakened Foe) vs ac 1d20+10 target stunned till attacker next turn 2d6+6

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[Doombybbr]

I think shape shift has to be used outside of combat or change into an ally where the shape shifter uses random swap.
RANDOM SWAP
select a target, until your next turn, each turn roll a d4 if you get a 1 or a 2 do not swap position, if you get a 3 or a 4 swap positions(notify players of how this works but do not let them see the dice roll or know if there is a swap unless it is the targeted characters turn.

Also I would think you would know that someone isn't your loved one if they hit you so if the ghoul does the character snaps out of not attacking(excluding the ally form as you can attack but it may hurt the REAL ally)

 

[ShaneB]

I would personally use the standard ghoul and use roleplaying to affect the "shaping shifting into loved one" power. I would suggest that what you are trying to accomplish is that if the ghoul gets surprise (ie the PC's dont perceive it before it perceives them) it shape-shifts into the loved one.

If you really want to "powerify" this ability have it stated as:

Shape Shift * (minor, encounter)
Attack: Ranged 10; +8 vs. Will
Hit: Arabic Ghoul shape shifts into the image of a loved one of the target.
Miss: Arabic Ghoul misses their standard action for this round.

I would then add the following triggered effect:

Loves Vengeance * (immediate reaction, when target of successful Shape Shift passes a DC 15 Perception check, or uses an attack power)
Arabic Ghoul reverts to natural form and grants combat advantage to the target