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2010-08-04, 12:34 PM (ISO 8601)
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#1171
Bugbear in the Playground
Re: [3.5]Improved monster classes: adapting creatures for player use-taking requests!
Originally Posted by
AustontheGreat1
GRIFFON
- You didn't list HD size.
- I don't know that a high # of skill points is appropriate. Being that Griffons are more of a dumb beast, it might be more appropriate to de-emphasize skills and emphasize stats more.
- Balance, Climb and Move Silently kind of stand out on the skill list. Balance is nigh useless (The Griffon gets sizeable bonuses vs. trip for being four legged & later, being large, and later on it flies, anyways), Climb is questionable (I can't envision a Griffon scaling a cliff) and Move Silently is not so fitting (If you want to emulate a great cat, it might be better to have hide but not move silently, so it is encouraged to lay in wait).
- Indeed, in 'Griffon Body', I'd make a special note that it is four legged.
- And give it natural armor. No armor proficiency + no natural armor is pretty crippling for a melee beast.
- Scent description is overlong. It's a core ability like regeneration, so the class doesn't need an involved description any more than the troll does. 'Generally within 30 feet' is kind of strange too. Set hard limit.
- Stat bonuses could stand to be bigger. Remember, the Griffon is unable to speak or use tools, so it has to do a great deal with what it has. (It can't use command word magic items, weapons, etc). The Griffon gets a lot of abilities that melee characters like, so this balances it out. I'd say definitely a bit more in the way of stats, but don't go overboard.
- Grace is really out of place. Neither of the skill bonuses are terribly useful, and in truth, I'm not so sure what the intention is with the 'running start' thing.
- Flight comes 1 level too early. It's exceedingly powerful at third level. The standard is for it to show up at fourth-fifth.
- Growth arguably shows up a bit too early. If we're acknowledging that the griffon is rather limited by lack of hands and speech, it can debatably get away with this.
- I would argue Vigil and Pounce should show up earlier. Grace could maybe be reworked. Flight should show up later.
- I'd also attach the Rake attacks to the acquisition of claw attacks, not pounce. Also, note that the Griffon's Rake is not an additional attack (or two additional attacks), but a bonus when grappling. It's a minor bonus that the Griffon could earn at second level, when it gets claws.