is the hairy spider even usable?

[CyberThread]

So hairy spider from the monster of faerun book , 0 LA for a 1HD spider , that is basically just a spider. No special abilities, or anything of that nature.


Can anything really be done with the thing, that is worth the "cool" concept of using it for a PC? The stats and everything else about it , are pretty debilitating.


http://i.imgur.com/B1wqKQy.png

[Baroknik]

Not sure where you are seeing that they are playable, as they have no marked LA and Int -. Both of those tend to mean that they are disallowed as a playable race.

They are also marked as Advancement - meaning they don't even generally advance in HD (of which they only have 1/8).

[Nihilarian]

It has an intelligence of -, so you can't play it. Assuming you find a way to give it an intelligence score (and if your DM is nice), it has a +20 bonus to hide checks between size and racial modifiers. A sneaky character or a spellcaster would do fine.

[Wacky89]

as far as I can see, there isn't a LA on it. I dont think it was meant for PCs since you would be mindless

[Sian]

The LA is from the Web Enhancement for Players Guide to Faerûn

[Wacky89]

ok, unless the GM will allow a intelligence score, it wont matter anyways.

[Snowbluff]

Play it, roll an awakening spell into your background, and pay the GP cost?

It would make a pretty sweet druid, or a warlock for maximum flavor.

[Gavinfoxx]

You can have one as a familiar, you know...

[CyberThread]

You can have one as a familiar, you know...

Don't familiars once the wizard dies, become normal versions of the creature?

[Gavinfoxx]

Don't familiars once the wizard dies, become normal versions of the creature?

No one actually knows... it doesn't say what happens to familiars when the owner dies!

[CyberThread]

http://i.imgur.com/B1wqKQy.png


here to help out. An several templates exist that give INT

[gorfnab]

Fiendish or Half Dragon Sentry Ooze Skitterhaunt Hairy Spider

[Captnq]

I once wore a thong to a beach. For the next three years my nickname was Harry spider. Good times.

The spider as a familiar is only for evoker specialists. It has the same stats as a mouse.

See dragon mag #323 pg 98

[Nihilarian]

http://i.imgur.com/B1wqKQy.png


here to help out. An several templates exist that give INTInteresting. I'd imagine that was probably intended for cohorts, but it certainly seems legal.

Classes like the rogue and assassin that rely on stealth are the obvious choice. Classes whose abilities are completely independent of size such as spellcasters (including psionics and invocations) would also work. A hairy spider dread witch would be fun and thematic.

[CyberThread]

if i remember right, its states break down to


-8 str , +4 dex , -8 cha

[Fax Celestis]

http://i.imgur.com/B1wqKQy.png


here to help out. An several templates exist that give INT

-- + 2 is still --. -- is not 0.

However, Master of Flies PrC (Savage Species) has an Awaken Vermin ability.

[CyberThread]

So it would gain 3d6 INT and 1d3 cha, but also gains 2HD

[Magikeeper]

I have a PC Entomanothrope (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20040621a)- Hairy Spider. No minimum size for insect lycans, and you might be able to argue the HD is so low it rounds down to none at all!

That way you keep the immunity to mind-effecting effects, the immunity to poison, and the ability to be fine-sized whenever you want while also having opposable thumbs and intelligence. You also get DR 5/silver and don't have to deal with alignment change. It might not be the best use of +2 LA, but if you are using LA buyoff or something it is rather nice.

Edit: Don't forget their massive racial bonus to spot checks.

[CyberThread]

AGree on the enthromorph, but what did you class it with by chance? An honestly which would you rather have, 2 LA or 2 HD?

[Nihilarian]

AGree on the enthromorph, but what did you class it with by chance? An honestly which would you rather have, 2 LA or 2 HD?LA, so you can buy it off.

[Lord Vukodlak]

No one actually knows... it doesn't say what happens to familiars when the owner dies!

I think Tome of Blood stated that they retain the intelligence, natural armor and special abilities at two levels lower. However they lose the hp, saves and base attack bonuses granted by having a master.

I actually kinda like the idea of the familiar not losing any of its powers at all. The Familiar of a high level dead mage could make for an interesting BBEG for a low-level party.

[Magikeeper]

LA, so you can buy it off.
^This.

If I wasn't playing with LA buyoff 2HD is usually much better than 2 LA. It would be a harder choice in this case though... Entomanothrope at least has DR 5/silver to help with the HP loss and I don't think an awakened spider keeps the mind effecting immunity (normal vermin immunity is tied to mindlessness).


And the PC in question is in a "2 LA free for everyone" campaign AND was a different spider up to.. reality 0 timeline ..2? So I can't really tell you what the 'while suffering LA' experience is despite starting at low level. But her main class was/is the homebrew Ozodrin (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153536) class.

[CyberThread]

aww house rules