What's this monster's role?

[Rechan]

I'm making a homebrew monster for my game tomorrow.

Since Demons are basically corrupted elementals, I wanted to go with something that had an earth+fire feel that wasn't obvious. So I thought: Tar.

The monster would have these abilities:

Engulfing Shroud The monster dives onto someone, and wraps itself around the character. The person takes ongoing damage, is restrained, and anyone who attacks the shroud does half damage to the character too. (restrained + ongoing + half damage feels too powerful, but appropriate; what do you think?)

Got'cher Sword Immediate reaction, when hit with a melee weapon (vs Ref) If it succeeds, the character loses the sword, as the sword gets stuck in the monster's body. The attacker can either hold onto the weapon and become immobilized, or let go. If the attacker holds on to the weapon, she can free it with a Strength attack vs. Fortitude. A creature not holding on to the weapon may grab the weapon with a Dexterity vs. Reflex attack.

It FEELS like a soldier/controller, which doesn't really work. I want it in melee, so controller is bad, but I also want it to effect individuals significantly and make their world suck. Would it be better if I made it into an elite controller, and tack on another ability or two to make it more survivable (Like turning the area around it into difficult terrain, or giving it a close burst effect when bloodied)?

He's going to be 3rd level.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Actually, monster controllers can be in melee. Look at those Shadar Kai chain fighters.

Considering the benefits of his attacks, I think making it an Elite (Controller) is a good way to go. It seriously limits the "firepower" of the PCs (which is basically the alternative to giving an Elite extra attacks compared to the base creature)

 

[Rechan]

Actually, monster controllers can be in melee. Look at those Shadar Kai chain fighters.

Chain fighters are skirmishers.

If he's an elite controller, I think he should have some good offensive area assault. Maybe a rechargable power that creates a zone of difficult terrain + damage.

 

[BendBars/LiftGates]

I think your powers look good for a soldier. Soldiers can affect enemies, and generally make their lives difficult. I would actually advise against making a controller, as it stands to step on the toes of the immolith, the other low-paragon-tier, demon-on-fire melee controller. The biggest hurdle I can see to making this monster a soldier is its defenses. As I see it, I giant blob monster probably has a low AC, and high AC is one of the first differences between a soldier and a brute.


Actually, I can see this possibly becoming a strange brute monster. Brutes basically roam around the battle flailing attacks at enemies. You want to stay away from brutes because they're big heaps of nasty damage, as opposed to soldiers, who you can't get away from because they shut down your movement. But no one says that brutes have to be boring and have no interesting attacks, auras, or ability to inflict status effects.