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Thread: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
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2012-11-17, 08:32 PM (ISO 8601)
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Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
Skytopus:
Large Magical Beast (Cold)
Hit Dice: 10d10+13 (68 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), fly 15ft (perfect)
Armor Class: 18 (-1 size, +2 Dex, +7 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +10/+19
Attack: Tentacle +15 melee (1d4+5)
Full Attack: 8 tentacles +15 melee (1d4+5) and bite +13 melee (1d8+2)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft. (20 ft. with tentacle)
Special Attacks: constrict, Death throws, Improved grab, Ink.
Special Qualities: Dark vision 60ft, immunity to cold, jet, low-light vision, vulnerability to fire.
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +9, Will +4
Abilities: Str 20, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 3
Skills: Escape Artist +12, Hide +12, Listen +5, Spot +7, Move silently +13
Feats: Alertness, Multiattack, Skill Focus (Hide), Toughness.
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 10
Advancement: 11-12 HD (Large); 13-24 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: -
A skytopus looks like a pale giant flying octopus. Scholars suggest wizards are to blame for their existence, but there is no evidence to support this. Research has shown that the actual ability to float is caused by the large amount of lighter than air gasses in air sacs in its head. Sadly research has yet to show how they generate ink in mere moments.
These creatures are aggressive and territorial hunters, with arms reaching 10 feet or more in length. Their tentacles are studded with barbs and sharp-edged suckers. The ability breath fire just adds to the horror of these creatures. Even druids are known to kill them on sight.
Combat:
An opponent can attack a skytopus’s tentacles with a sunder attempt as if they were weapons. A skytopus’s tentacles have 10 hit points each. If a skytopus is currently grappling a target with the tentacle that is being attacked, it usually uses another limb to make its attack of opportunity against the opponent making the sunder attempt. Severing one of a skytopus’s tentacles deals 5 points of damage to the creature. A skytopus usually withdraws from combat if it loses four tentacles. The creature regrows severed limbs in 1d10+10 days.
Constrict (Ex):
A skytopus deals 2d8+6 points of damage with a successful grapple check.
Death Throes (Ex):
When a skytopus is killed, it erupts in a fiery explosion that deals 10d6 points of fire damage to anyone within 40 feet. A successful Reflex save (DC 16) halves the damage. The save is Constitution-based.
Improved Grab (Ex):
To use this ability, a skytopus must hit an opponent of any size with a tentacle attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can constrict.
Ink (Ex): A skytopus can emit flammable ink in a variety of ways. Whichever way it uses this ability, it can't use ink again for 1d4 rounds.
Spoiler
Cloud: As part of its jet ability (see below), a skytopus can emit cloud of jet-black ink 20 feet high by 20 feet wide by 20 feet long around its point of origin. The cloud provides total concealment. All vision within the cloud is obscured. A moderate wind (11+ mph) disperses the cloud in 6 rounds; a strong wind (21+ mph) disperses the cloud in 3 round.
If the cloud takes fire damage, it ignites and deals 2d6 points of fire damage to anything in the area and sets them on fire. The cloud burns after a round.
Grease: As a standard action, a skytopus can spray ink on the ground in a 30-foot radius. Any creature in the area where the ink is sprayed must make a successful Reflex save (DC 16) or fall. This save is repeated on your turn each round that the creature remains within the area. A creature can walk within or through the area of grease at half normal speed with a DC 10 Balance check. Failure means it can’t move that round, and must then make a Reflex save (DC 16) or fall, while failure by 5 or more means it falls (see the Balance skill for details). The saves are Constitution-based.
If any part of the area covered in ink takes any amount of fire damage, the ink ignites. Anything in the area takes 2d6 points of fire damage and catches on fire. It burns out after 4 rounds.
Blind: As a standard action, a skytopus makes a ranged touch attack against a target creature within 60 feet. If the attack hits, the target is blinded until it takes a full round action to clean off its face or other visual sensory organ. If the target takes at least one point of fire damage within the next five rounds, it catches fire.
Breath Weapon: As a standard action, a skytopus can breathe a 40-foot cone of flaming ink causing 10d4 points of fire damage, and catches anything in the area on fire. A successful Reflex save (DC 16) halves the damage and negates the ignition. The save is Constitution-based.
Jet (Ex): Once per round as a full-round action, a skytopus can jet at a speed of 200 feet. It must move in a straight line, but does not provoke attacks of opportunity while jetting. It also cannot attack as part of this movement. Just before jetting, as a free action, a skytopus can release an ink cloud (see above)
Skills: A skytopus can change colors, giving it a +4 racial bonus on Hide checks. A giant octopus also can squeeze and contort its body, giving it a +10 racial bonus on Escape Artist checks.
So, thoughts? Were did I mess up, were was my copy and pasting bad, and how broken is this?(hah, take that sat! totally made a list and changed up the last part of it.)
This is just a terifying thought I had... what would a octopi that had a head filled with hydrogen be like? It would float around, and be sneaky... looking exactly like the rest of the sky. The low flight speed was to counter balance the fact of jeting... The breath weapon was just to give it some ranged option.Last edited by bobthe6th; 2012-11-19 at 11:23 AM.
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2012-11-18, 12:22 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
Conceptually I give this an A. The stat block could use some work.
I have a few concerns.
The first is that it seems it should be a Magical Beast rather than an Animal. Changing its Type will change HD to d10 (giving it 55 hp), increase BAB to +8 and Grapple to +17 and melee changes to +12 for tentacles and +7 to bite. It also gives the creature darkvision 60 ft. Whenever the phrase, "a wizard did it" shows up in a creature's ecology, that's a big clue it should a Magical Beast not an animal (of course breathing fire is another clue).
Flight speed is a tad low. Since the giant octopus had a swim speed of 30 ft. why not just make it fly 30 ft.? At least give it a fly speed equal to 1/2 its land speed.
You should explain how it flies. I recommend giving them an air bladder and making them a natural source of helium. I do not recommend any gas (such as hydrogen) that has the propensity to explode around fire. It should not blow itself up when it uses its breath weapon.
Since these no longer need to swim as they fly, you should change the Swim skill to a Move Silently skill.
Breath Weapon is written awkwardly.
Breath Weapon (Ex): As a standard action, a skytopus can breathe a 40-foot cone of fire once every 1d4 rounds causing 4d6 points of fire damage. A successful Reflex save (DC 15) halves the damage. The save is Constitution-based.
Otherwise, it looks good to me.
DebbyP.E.A.C.H. Please Evaluate And Critique Honestly. Being nicer and kinder doesn't hurt either. Note I generally only critique 3.5 and Pathfinder material.
Please, please, please when using non-core material, cite to the books. There are too many books to wade through to find the one with the feat, special ability or spell you use.
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2012-11-18, 12:29 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
You called it "Giant octopus" in the skill section. Otherwise, I agree with Debihuman on basically every point. Maybe the jet distance should be greater; a barbarian with the run feat could match that without the straight-line-only penalty. Was the giant octopus's jet the same distance? Because 200 feet a round outclasses almost any normal character in the water, but not on land. 500 feet maybe?
Last edited by sengmeng; 2012-11-18 at 12:30 PM.
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2012-11-18, 12:42 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
Thanks, and they always do.
I have a few concerns.
The first is that it seems it should be a Magical Beast rather than an Animal. Changing its Type will change HD to d10 (giving it 55 hp), increase BAB to +8 and Grapple to +17 and melee changes to +12 for tentacles and +7 to bite. It also gives the creature darkvision 60 ft. Whenever the phrase, "a wizard did it" shows up in a creature's ecology, that's a big clue it should a Magical Beast not an animal (of course breathing fire is another clue).
Flight speed is a tad low. Since the giant octopus had a swim speed of 30 ft. why not just make it fly 30 ft.? At least give it a fly speed equal to 1/2 its land speed.
Also, I want to give it the idea it is slow and hard to move without jetting.
Still, I guess 1/2 seems fair.
You should explain how it flies. I recommend giving them an air bladder and making them a natural source of helium. I do not recommend any gas (such as hydrogen) that has the propensity to explode around fire. It should not blow itself up when it uses its breath weapon.
Since these no longer need to swim as they fly, you should change the Swim skill to a Move Silently skill.
Breath Weapon is written awkwardly.
Otherwise, it looks good to me.
EDIT!: changes made, CR solidified. Any one want to make any further suggestions?Last edited by bobthe6th; 2012-11-18 at 12:55 PM.
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2012-11-18, 01:39 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
A giant octopus has CR 8. This is obviously tougher since it has fire-breathing, flight, and better hit points. It's a bit slower but isn't limited by environment. I'd suggest CR 9 at least.
DebbyP.E.A.C.H. Please Evaluate And Critique Honestly. Being nicer and kinder doesn't hurt either. Note I generally only critique 3.5 and Pathfinder material.
Please, please, please when using non-core material, cite to the books. There are too many books to wade through to find the one with the feat, special ability or spell you use.
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2012-11-18, 01:51 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
The type is "Magical Beast," not "Magical Animal."
Funny concept.Homebrew
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2012-11-18, 02:07 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
I was using Vorpal Tribble's CR calculator...
Spoiler#1. Divide creature's average HP by 4.5 to 6.5.
4.5 for 5 HD or lower, 5 for 6-10 HD, 5.5 for 11-15 HD, 6 for 16-20 HD., 6.5 for 20-25 HD.
#2. Add 1 for each five points above 10 its AC is, subtracting 1 for every 5 below.
#3. Add 1 for each special attack (+2 to +5 or more if its got a decent number of spells in its spell-like abilities).
#4. Add 1 for each quality unless you deem it worthy of more. Add 1 for each resistance and 10 points of DR it has, and 2 for each immunity. Subtract 1 for each vulnerability.
#5. Add 1 for every two bonus feats it has.
#6. Divide total by 3. This should be its rough CR
Given that monster manuals CRs tend to be off. And I mean, do you think a level 7 party couldn't fight this? Admittedly they would have to rely on blasting/ ranged attacks... and hope that it doesn't just stealth around them picking off targets. But a level 9 party would have to fear the same.
@temotei: Fixed, and thanks.Avatar by Szilard, thank you sir for the fine work!
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2012-11-18, 02:27 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
I assume everywhere you wrote "helium" you meant "hydrogen" since helium is utterly inert and hydrogen is highly flammable.
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2012-11-18, 02:38 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
@ seg: sorry I missed your first post.
You called it "Giant octopus" in the skill section. Otherwise, I agree with Debihuman on basically every point. Maybe the jet distance should be greater; a barbarian with the run feat could match that without the straight-line-only penalty. Was the giant octopus's jet the same distance? Because 200 feet a round outclasses almost any normal character in the water, but not on land. 500 feet maybe?
Well, with perfect fly speed the 200ft is omni directional... so yes the barbarian can out run it, but in 5 rounds the creature can be outside of long range. I guess more could make sense, but I don't want it to be to crazy. Most of this was moding the base creature as little as possible while adding the idea of flight...
I assume everywhere you wrote "helium" you meant "hydrogen" since helium is utterly inert and hydrogen is highly flammable.Avatar by Szilard, thank you sir for the fine work!
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2012-11-18, 02:59 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
My Homebrew (Free to use, don't even bother asking. PM me if you do, though; I'd love to hear stories).
Avatar done by me (It's Durkon redrawn as Salvador from Borderlands 2).
Nod, get treat.
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2012-11-18, 03:41 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
Well, octopi do swim by blowing water, and I figure a lighter then air one could do the same through the air. The ability was meant to be a swift movement that takes a larger action.
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2012-11-18, 03:59 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
I find it strange that a creature that uses fire as a primary weapon is vulnerable to it as well. I would have thought it was the other way around.
Besides that small niggle, this is a solid monster, doubly so if Debby says it is.'Stralia: Now a campaign setting (D&D 3.5 E6)
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2012-11-18, 04:17 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
Well, given that the fire is not based on the skytopus being filled with magical fire, but rather igniting flammable gasses as it exhales them... reasons.
the vote of confidence is nice.
would be cool to get this play tested. Any DM wanna use their group as a gunnie pig?Avatar by Szilard, thank you sir for the fine work!
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2012-11-18, 04:33 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
Don't forget VT estimator isn't exact. Part of the reason that the giant octopus has a higher CR is that it has 8 primary attacks and reach. Flight adds +1 to the CR almost automatically.
One of the things you could do to make these tougher would be variant abilities. Perhaps skytopuses with 9 or more HD, explode when they die.
Death Throes (Ex): When a skytopus is killed, it erupts in a fiery explosion that deals 2d10 points of fire damage to anyone within 40 feet. A Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 skytopus' HD + Con modifier). A successful Fortitude save halves the damage. The save is Constitution-based.
DebbyP.E.A.C.H. Please Evaluate And Critique Honestly. Being nicer and kinder doesn't hurt either. Note I generally only critique 3.5 and Pathfinder material.
Please, please, please when using non-core material, cite to the books. There are too many books to wade through to find the one with the feat, special ability or spell you use.
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2012-11-18, 04:51 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
A fair point, pushing it up to 8. I fear for putting the CR to high, as I fear pushing the CR over HD... or I could add more abilities and 2HD and make it a CR10... thoughts?
Added and modded the death throws, shoved damage to a full fireball... and made it a reflex save.
what if I gave the ink a variety of options? Like either grease, fog cloud, or single target blind? Then make it all flammable! SYNERGY!
edit: also, thinking about feats... should I give it better feats? like multiattack or meta breath feats?
should I give it Hid in plain sight?Last edited by bobthe6th; 2012-11-18 at 04:54 PM.
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2012-11-18, 10:42 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
I agree that these appear to need more HD for the CR. Adding 2 makes sense since I generally think CR should be equal to or lower than HD too.
Your changes to Death Throes look good. Don't forget to add it to Special Attacks.
Multiattack is good feat to add since you are adding HD.
Ink options sound interesting. I like Grease and making the ink cloud flammable. Synergy indeed!
Could you use skytopus's ink to make an alchemical version of explosive runes? I'm thinking it would be like writing w/lemon juice. It's invisible until heated up and then blows up. Of course, this means you'd have to harvest it from a living skytopus because they explode when they die. [Major gross factor but hey isn't that integral to the game?]
DebbyP.E.A.C.H. Please Evaluate And Critique Honestly. Being nicer and kinder doesn't hurt either. Note I generally only critique 3.5 and Pathfinder material.
Please, please, please when using non-core material, cite to the books. There are too many books to wade through to find the one with the feat, special ability or spell you use.
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2012-11-18, 11:53 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
Yep, uped to 10HD and CR 10.
Your changes to Death Throes look good. Don't forget to add it to Special Attacks.
Multiattack is good feat to add since you are adding HD.
Ink options sound interesting. I like Grease and making the ink cloud flammable. Synergy indeed!
Could you use skytopus's ink to make an alchemical version of explosive runes? I'm thinking it would be like writing w/lemon juice. It's invisible until heated up and then blows up. Of course, this means you'd have to harvest it from a living skytopus because they explode when they die. [Major gross factor but hey isn't that integral to the game?]Avatar by Szilard, thank you sir for the fine work!
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2012-11-19, 01:12 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
There are still some stat block issues. Here's everything in more standard format. Note, you are still missing the creature's description so I took the liberty of adding it. Environment should be cold mountains and plains rather than any. Saves and skills updated for new HD. [2 skill points so I put one each in Spot and Listen). It should be correct now.
Spoiler
Skytopus
Large Magical Beast (Cold)
Hit Dice: 10d10+13 (68 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), Fly 15 ft. (perfect)
Armor Class: 18 (-1 size, +2 Dex, +7 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +10/+19
Attack: Tentacle +15 melee (1d4+5) or ink +11 ranged touch (blind)
Full Attack: 8 tentacles +15 melee (1d4+5) and bite +13 melee (1d8+2) or ink +11 ranged touch (blind)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft. (20 ft. with tentacle)
Special Attacks: Breath weapon, constrict, death throes, improved grab, ink
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., immunity to cold, jet, low-light vision, vulnerability to fire
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +9, Will +4
Abilities: Str 20, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 3
Skills: Escape Artist +12, Hide +12, Listen +5, Spot +7, Move silently +13
Feats: Alertness, Multiattack, Skill Focus (Hide), Toughness
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 10
Advancement: 11-12 HD (Large); 13-24 HD (Huge)
A skytopus looks like a pale giant flying octopus. Scholars suggest wizards are to blame for their existence, but there is no evidence to support this. Research has shown that the actual ability to float is caused by the large amount of lighter than air gasses in air sacs in its head. Further, the ability to breathe fire is caused by blowing out some of the gases that ignite in mid air.
These creatures are aggressive and territorial hunters, with arms reaching 10 feet or more in length. Their tentacles are studded with barbs and sharp-edged suckers. The ability breath fire just adds to the horror of these creatures. Even druids are known to kill them on sight.
Combat
An opponent can attack a skytopus’s tentacles with a sunder attempt as if they were weapons. A skytopus’s tentacles have 10 hit points each. If a skytopus is currently grappling a target with the tentacle that is being attacked, it usually uses another limb to make its attack of opportunity against the opponent making the sunder attempt. Severing one of a skytopus’s tentacles deals 5 points of damage to the creature. A skytopus usually withdraws from combat if it loses four tentacles. The creature regrows severed limbs in 1d10+10 days.
Constrict (Ex): A skytopus deals 2d8+6 points of damage with a successful grapple check.
Death Throes (Ex): When a skytopus is killed, it erupts in a fiery explosion that deals 8d6 points of fire damage to anyone within 40 feet. A successful Reflex save (DC 16) halves the damage. The save is Constitution-based.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a skytopus must hit an opponent of any size with a tentacle attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can constrict.
Ink (Ex): A skytopus can emit flammable ink in a variety of ways. Whichever way it uses this ability, it can't use ink again for 1d4 rounds.
Cloud: As part of its jet ability (see below), a skytopus can emit cloud of jet-black ink 20 feet high by 20 feet wide by 20 feet long around its point of origin. The cloud provides total concealment. All vision within the cloud is obscured. A moderate wind (11+ mph) disperses the cloud in 6 rounds; a strong wind (21+ mph) disperses the cloud in 3 round.
If the cloud takes fire damage, it ignites and deals 2d6 points of fire damage to anything in the area and sets them on fire. The cloud burns after a round.
Grease: As a standard action, a skytopus can spray ink on the ground in a 30-foot radius. Any creature in the area where the ink is sprayed must make a successful Reflex save (DC 16) or fall. This save is repeated on your turn each round that the creature remains within the area. A creature can walk within or through the area of grease at half normal speed with a DC 10 Balance check. Failure means it can’t move that round, and must then make a Reflex save (DC 16) or fall, while failure by 5 or more means it falls (see the Balance skill for details). The saves are Constitution-based.
If any part of the area covered in ink takes any amount of fire damage, the ink ignites. Anything in the area takes 2d6 points of fire damage and catches on fire. It burns out after 4 rounds.
Blind: As a standard action, a skytopus makes a ranged touch attack against a target creature within 60 feet. If the attack hits, the target is blinded until it takes a full round action to clean off its face or other visual sensory organ. If the target takes at least one point of fire damage, it catches fire.
Breath Weapon: As a standard action, a skytopus can breathe a 40-foot cone of flaming ink causing 10d4 points of fire damage, and catches anything in the area on fire. A successful Reflex save (DC 16) halves the damage and negates the ignition. The save is Constitution-based.
A moderate wind (11+ mph) disperses the ink cloud in 4 rounds; a strong wind (21+ mph) disperses the ink cloud in 1 round.
Jet (Ex): Once per round as a full-round action, a skytopus can jet at a speed of 200 feet. It must move in a straight line, but does not provoke attacks of opportunity while jetting. It also cannot attack as part of this movement. Just before jetting, as a free action, a skytopus can release an ink cloud (see above)
Skills: A skytopus can change colors, giving it a +4 racial bonus on Hide checks. A skytopus also can squeeze and contort its body, giving it a +10 racial bonus on Escape Artist checks.
DebbyLast edited by Debihuman; 2012-11-19 at 09:49 AM. Reason: AAARG It ate my edit
P.E.A.C.H. Please Evaluate And Critique Honestly. Being nicer and kinder doesn't hurt either. Note I generally only critique 3.5 and Pathfinder material.
Please, please, please when using non-core material, cite to the books. There are too many books to wade through to find the one with the feat, special ability or spell you use.
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2012-11-19, 01:45 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
edits made. though I think ink is a special attack now... though I was never entirely clear on the difference.
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2012-11-19, 02:29 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
You are correct. Ink is now a special attack. Missed that. Will fix my stat block. Also, did some minor proofreading on the text.
DebbyP.E.A.C.H. Please Evaluate And Critique Honestly. Being nicer and kinder doesn't hurt either. Note I generally only critique 3.5 and Pathfinder material.
Please, please, please when using non-core material, cite to the books. There are too many books to wade through to find the one with the feat, special ability or spell you use.
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2012-11-19, 11:39 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
more edits made, also posted a request for art over in arts&crafts so this thing can hopefully have a picture to go with it.
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2012-11-20, 08:34 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
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Avatar by Szilard, thank you sir for the fine work!
my home brew. you should PEACH them...
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2012-11-21, 10:37 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
I would definently raise this thing as a Zombie(To retain the flight, since it isn't magical flight) and use Awaken Undead to get all of the wonderful abilities for the price of 20HD
That said, I love the idea of the sky octopus, and I think CR 10 is just about right, its frail but dangerous. At the apropriate level, you won't have to worry too much about its stealth, most parties will have some other method of detecting foes.
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2012-11-21, 10:40 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
Except for death throes.
but will they think to have it on the martch?
would HiPS be a reasonable addition? Would give the idea the thing should get a surprise round on them... will think about it after I run the playtest.Last edited by bobthe6th; 2012-11-21 at 10:41 PM.
Avatar by Szilard, thank you sir for the fine work!
my home brew. you should PEACH them...
Telekineticist
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Shield
blasterv4
mindbender
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2012-11-22, 04:13 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Jun 2012
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- Sunny Florida
Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
This thing reminds me of the Thirteenth Colossus if the Thirteenth Colossus was a fire-spraying octopus instead of a snake.
(for the unfamiliar, the 13th colossus in the game Shadow of the Colossus was a giant snake-thing that could fly but had to descend if you shot the three flesh bags beneath it, and when you shot them they sprayed what looked like ink but was probably colossus blood)
A few minor suggestions:
I think that environment, rather than being "any,"...well, the feeling I get is a high-altitude mountain environment. There, the thinner air would make floating easier (I think, I studied bio, not physics) and make fire that much rarer. Also, rough terrain would make stalking prey easier for a floating creature.
I'm not sure if HiPS is really necessary, it already has a pretty good escape tactic. Whether or not they should have it depends on whether or not you want then to launch surprise assaults and whether you like the idea of them escaping from fights wih PCs. Then again, getting the PCs riled up to hunt this thing down once and for all might get interesting.
I might try using this in a campaign I'm currently running (don't expect feedback too soon, though: it's a pbp game, and the groups still at level 1). Can't wait to see how it plays out.There are no impossible encounters. There is only inadequate preparation.
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2012-11-22, 10:20 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2007
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
Environment is probably Any non-desert. It can certainly blend in most places.
A zombie loses most special qualities of the base creature. A zombie skytopus isn't as impressive as you might think since it loses all of its special abilities when you turn into a zombie.It also becomes a Clumsy flier.
I am of the opinion that class features should never be given to monsters. If the monster can take a level in that class, then it makes sense for the monster to have it. Otherwise, it dilutes what makes having a class special.
It already has a decent Hide skill and can change color to fit its environment so giving it Hide in Plain Sight is just overkill.
DebbyP.E.A.C.H. Please Evaluate And Critique Honestly. Being nicer and kinder doesn't hurt either. Note I generally only critique 3.5 and Pathfinder material.
Please, please, please when using non-core material, cite to the books. There are too many books to wade through to find the one with the feat, special ability or spell you use.
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2012-11-22, 10:51 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
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2012-11-22, 12:04 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Apr 2011
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
Death Throes (Ex):
When a skytopus is killed, it erupts in a fiery explosion that deals 10d6 points of fire damage to anyone within 40 feet. A successful Reflex save (DC 16) halves the damage. The save is Constitution-based.
I think forest, maybe mountainous forest, is the most sensible environment. Octopi are not pelagic swimmers. They creep on the bottom looking for prey and jet away when threatened. The Skytopus should creep through the treetops when on the hunt, then rise above them and jet away if need be. Maybe very old tough ones could move to mountainous areas if they would be the apex predator in that region (although in a world where dragons exist, they wouldn't be). Real octopi can hide in the debris, seaweed, and coral on the bottom extremely well, but changing color and even shape doesn't help much when floating in the middle of the ocean.My Homebrew (Free to use, don't even bother asking. PM me if you do, though; I'd love to hear stories).
Avatar done by me (It's Durkon redrawn as Salvador from Borderlands 2).
Nod, get treat.
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2012-11-22, 12:19 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Sep 2007
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- Elemental Plane of Purple
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
I'd forgotten the Awaken Undead spell let zombies regain their Ex abilities.
May have to look into that again. It's one of the toughest zombies you can make since it has 10 HD, which is the limit on zombie HD.
It would be interesting....
DebbyLast edited by Debihuman; 2012-11-22 at 12:22 PM. Reason: Stupid White space.
P.E.A.C.H. Please Evaluate And Critique Honestly. Being nicer and kinder doesn't hurt either. Note I generally only critique 3.5 and Pathfinder material.
Please, please, please when using non-core material, cite to the books. There are too many books to wade through to find the one with the feat, special ability or spell you use.
my creations in homebrew signature thread
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2012-11-22, 03:14 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Apr 2011
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- Minnesota
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Re: Skytopus(3.5, monster, PEACH)
Is there a spell to immediately turn a living creature into an Undead? Or are you using Wish to create a dead Skytopus body? Otherwise, pointing out for the third time, it explodes when it dies.
My Homebrew (Free to use, don't even bother asking. PM me if you do, though; I'd love to hear stories).
Avatar done by me (It's Durkon redrawn as Salvador from Borderlands 2).
Nod, get treat.