Wasp golem - what do you think?

Knight Otu · Dec 29, 2002

randomling said:
Can you tell me your argument for Strength? It would be cool to give it a DC of 22... although that's probably a bit steep for a CR 10 monster?

It was mostly a joke.

And the DC would be a bit too high.

randomling · Dec 29, 2002

You're probably right, shame though.

shivamuffin · Dec 29, 2002

Wall of Biting and Stinging Insects

Creates a wall of insects that deals damage and poisons those within its confines.
Conjuration (summoning)
Level: Drd 6, Sor/Wiz 7
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 full round
Range: Medium (100 ft + 10 ft/level)
Area: One five foot cube per caster level.
Duration: 1 round per level of caster.
Saving Throw: Special, see text.
Spell Resistance: No.

This spell summons a swarm of insects that forms a formidable defesive barrier. Creatures within the wall who take no other actions than fighting off the insects takes one point of damage per caster level on its turn. A creature within the wall that takes any action other than fighting off the insects, including entering or leaving the wall, takes 1d4 points of damage per level of the caster. Further, any creature damaged by the insects in the wall must make a fortitude save vs. the spell, or be poisoned. The primary and secondary effect of the poison is 1d4 Con damage. Any creature who dies within the confines of the wall will be consumed by the insects in 1d4 rounds. Spellcasting or concentrating on spells within the swarm is impossible.

The swarm cannot be fought off effectively with weapons, but fire and damaging area effects can force it to disperse. Each 5-foot cube can be dispersed by inflicting a total of 4 hit points per level of the caster to that area. The wall is stationary once summoned.

The material component for this spell is a handfull of powdered insects and a pinch of sugar.

CaveWombat · Jan 18, 2003

Ooooooooooooooooooh I love it and, I would love to see a picture if anyone has done one. I have been thinking of doing a similar undead using maggots but was unsure if it would work after seeing this though I will revisit the idea.

the Jester · Jan 20, 2003

I just ran an encounter using an advanced wasp golem (CR 12, HD 22). It was a lot of fun! I think that the thing was just about right for the CR- a little easy for my group, since it's pretty high level, but it seemed really nasty.

Eventually, the encounter will be posted in my Story Hour (Agents of Chaos, link in sig). You should check it out.

[/pimp]

Xarlen · Jan 20, 2003

This reminds me of the Rat Golem from the Warrens of the Ratmen. Basicly a Huge construct of rats.

One cool thing about the Rat Golem (Other then it's freakness) is that it has a minor intelligence (Around 4 I think). It doesn't have magic immunity, though.

Sniktch · Jan 20, 2003

randomling said:
Can you tell me your argument for Strength? It would be cool to give it a DC of 22... although that's probably a bit steep for a CR 10 monster?

Otherwise it's 17, which seems a bit more sensible.

Nice monster, randomling. I'm going to have to add it to my netbook of downloaded critters

Personally, I don't think DC 22 is too steep for a CR 10 monster. While a wizard or rogue is going to have an average Fort save of +4 or +5 and have a really hard time with the save, I've seen fighters and clerics at that level with +15 or more to their save.

I've always thought poison and some other effects were a little underpowered in 3E - with DC 22 this monster would be be a little more close to where I'd put it. Besides, don't Wyverns have DC 22 poison at a lower CR?

the Jester · Jan 20, 2003

The advanced version I used had poison with a DC of 21, iirc... but it had 22 HD.

Wippit Guud · Jan 21, 2003

Now, how would a wasp golem fare against a Repel Vermin spell?

An invisible barrier holds back vermin. A vermin with less than one-third the character's level in HD cannot penetrate the barrier. Given that they are individual wasps, wouldn't it hold the whole thing back?

A vermin with at least one-third the character's level in HD can penetrate the barrier if it succeeds at a Will save. Even so, crossing the barrier deals the vermin 2d6 points of damage Or would it fall unser being larger guidelines, and need to make the save?

Or, would it not be affected at all? (all golems have 1 or 2 spells that affect it normally)

Knight Otu · Jan 22, 2003

According to its magic immunity:

Repel Vermin causes the wasp golem to break its engulf attack on any held creature. The wasp golem gets no saving throw against either of these effects.

I don't think it should suffer additional effects.