What 2nd-level Monsters Need Converting?

[the Jester]

Okay, I already have my 1st-level monster conversions well under way (see this thread here).

I have now gotten the 2nd-level monsters off to a good start as well! (Link Here to the thread in question!)

I'll be compiling a list of monsters that ought to come out at about 2nd level in my opinion. I'm considering moving norkers from my 1st-level list to the 2nd level list- in fact, I'm pretty sure I will, so why not just start my list with them?

What else sounds like a good 2nd-level monster in need of conversion?


Ape
Archon, Lantern May be better off as a not-archon in 4e
Bat Swarm
Bear, Black
Bladeling
Blink Dog
[Cave Fisher] May be better at level 3-5
Chagmat
Decapus
[Dragon, Amber] I'll have to see if I have any info on this one- if anyone else wants to take a crack at this, feel free!
Frog, Giant
Goatfolk (ibixians)
Mephit
Nilbog
Norker
Shark
Thoul
Vargouille
Water Weirds (old school, minor/non-oracular serpent type)

 

[Grazzt]

Okay, I already have my 1st-level monster conversions well under way (see this thread here).

What about 2nd level?

I'll be compiling a list of monsters that ought to come out at about 2nd level in my opinion. I'm considering moving norkers from my 1st-level list to the 2nd level list- in fact, I'm pretty sure I will, so why not just start my list with them?

What else sounds like a good 2nd-level monster in need of conversion?

Goatfolk (ibixians)
Norkers
Water Weirds (old school, minor/non-oracular serpent type)

Giant frogs my friend....

 

[the Jester]

Giant frogs my friend....

Oh HELL yeah!!!

 

[the Jester]

Well come on then, surely there are more than just these four??

 

[Orius]

I've always liked thouls.

 

[blargney the second]

Blink dogs
Vargouilles
Large sharks
-blarg

 

[Rechan]

One thing that is very much missing which you could add: Mephits. Those little elemental imp bastards.

Just looking at level 2 in the 3e MM mind you:

Ape
Lantern Archon ()
Bat Swarm
Black Bear
Dire Weasel


And before you ask, my vote for 3rd level:

Dire Ape
Giant Praying Mantis (Give it some love)
Giant Wasp
Shadow

 

[Grazzt]

Shadow

Even though I guess it's frowned up now, remember, the 1e shadow was about the only (maybe THE only) monster that could do ability damage. Perhaps restore it to its rightful place in 4e.

 

[Rechan]

Even though I guess it's frowned up now, remember, the 1e shadow was about the only (maybe THE only) monster that could do ability damage. Perhaps restore it to its rightful place in 4e.

A thought occurs to me.

You can simulate 'drain ability score' by simply draining what that ability EFFECTS. In essence, you do the math for the player instead of forcing the player to calculate ability score math.

Str Drain: penalty to Atk and Damage for str based attacks. Fort defense if Str is higher.
Dex drain: penalty to init, AC, ranged attack, Ref def is Dex is higher.
Con drain: penalty to healing surges (although I like losing healing surges), Fort defense if Con is higher.

And so on.

With 4e though, there are a few new things to consider:
Classes: Classes have various builds, and various powers which key off different abilities. Strength doesn't influence hit/damage if that hit/damage is keyed off a different stat (see: Cha based paladins/rogues).
Defenses: You pick the highest stat between two for each of your defenses. Sucking a wizard's Dex may really just hurt his initiative.

 

[Fobok]

I don't have any suggestions, but just wanted to say I'm looking forward to what you come up with. Your conversions in the other thread have been great.