Scaling a Monster DOWN

[Mr. Zolrane]

So for my first encounter for my level 5 players I want to throw two frost worms (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/frostWorm.htm) at them (it's a flavor thing). As best I can tell, scaling a monster UP is no big deal, but what I'm trying to figure out how to scale them down to a reasonable CR for three level 5 characters. Can anybody help?

[Tvtyrant]

Take the stats of a huge monstrous centipede and add a 1d4 cold effect to it and a 8d6 breathe weapon. Lower the death throws to 10d6 damage total and remove the thrill ability and you have CR5 Frost Worms!

[Mikeavelli]

Yup, basically that.

Take any wormlike enemy with CR 5 or so stats, throw some reflavoring on it, and BAM! It's a CR 5 frost wyrm.

My players have fought all sorts of "homebrewed" monsters that are really just reskinned monsters with the same stats as stuff they've fought a hundred times already.

[Mr. Zolrane]

Take the stats of a huge monstrous centipede and add a 1d4 cold effect to it and a 8d6 breathe weapon. Lower the death throws to 10d6 damage total and remove the thrill ability and you have CR5 Frost Worms!

That sounds great except I want to make them smaller. Probably large sized.

[Tvtyrant]

That sounds great except I want to make them smaller. Probably large sized.

No problem, just take a Large Monstrous Centipede (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/monstrousCentipede.htm) and add 2 HD and 2 con and 2 str points and the above suggestions. This gives you a 5 HD monster with only a bite and the weak magic powers to use.

[Mr. Zolrane]

No problem, just take a Large Monstrous Centipede (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/monstrousCentipede.htm) and add 2 HD and 2 con and 2 str points and the above suggestions. This gives you a 5 HD monster with only a bite and the weak magic powers to use.

Awesome. Thanks guys.