New OOTS products from CafePress
New OOTS t-shirts, ornaments, mugs, bags, and more
Page 4 of 49 FirstFirst 123456789101112131429 ... LastLast
Results 91 to 120 of 1455
  1. - Top - End - #91
    Troll in the Playground
     
    Debatra's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Kaeda
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    The asterisk itself isn't really being debated. It whether it should include just the spawn or the entire aura because of the "can't enter a populated area" part.
    Kaedanis Pyran, tai faernae.

    The LA Assignment Threads: Attempting to Make Monsters Playable Since 2016

    My Homebrewer's Extended Signature
    Spoiler: Quotes
    Show
    Quote Originally Posted by Lycan 01 View Post
    Roland just endorsed a crack pairing?


    Did... did we break the universe?
    Quote Originally Posted by SassyQuatch View Post
    It is a major flaw in the game. Destroy a moon? Sure. Talk to somebody a hundred miles away, that's going to be difficult.
    Quote Originally Posted by Rizban View Post
    Realistically speaking... D&D style magic doesn't exist, so... let's ignore reality.

  2. - Top - End - #92
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    TiaC's Avatar

    Join Date
    Nov 2007

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    I don't think there's any reason to give this an asterisk for being unable to interact with people. You can easily create intelligent minions that can interact with people for you.

    An uncapped number of wight minions might deserve an asterisk, but the casters we've been comparing it to can also easily create swarms of wights at levels 9-11, and they aren't that effective in combat at that level, so I might just say it's one of the parts of the game that you just shouldn't poke at too hard.

  3. - Top - End - #93
    Titan in the Playground
     
    danielxcutter's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Seoul
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    Does it have a cap on how many of the wights it makes it can control?
    Cool elan Illithid Slayer by linkele.

    Editor/co-writer of Magicae Est Potestas, a crossover between Artemis Fowl and Undertale. Ao3 FanFiction.net DeviantArt
    We also have a TvTropes page!

    Currently playing: Red Hand of Doom(campaign journal) Campaign still going on, but journal discontinued until further notice.

    Quote Originally Posted by Squire Doodad View Post
    I could write a lengthy explanation, but honestly just what danielxcutter said.
    Extended sig here.

  4. - Top - End - #94
    Troll in the Playground
     
    Debatra's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Kaeda
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    Quote Originally Posted by danielxcutter View Post
    Does it have a cap on how many of the wights it makes it can control?
    It does not.

    Quote Originally Posted by TiaC View Post
    I don't think there's any reason to give this an asterisk for being unable to interact with people. You can easily create intelligent minions that can interact with people for you.

    An uncapped number of wight minions might deserve an asterisk, but the casters we've been comparing it to can also easily create swarms of wights at levels 9-11, and they aren't that effective in combat at that level, so I might just say it's one of the parts of the game that you just shouldn't poke at too hard.
    I definitely agree that at a certain point, even infinite minion spawn can be pretty pointless depending on what exactly you can spawn. Things that can give negative levels and generate their own spawn can remain relevant for quite a while though.
    Kaedanis Pyran, tai faernae.

    The LA Assignment Threads: Attempting to Make Monsters Playable Since 2016

    My Homebrewer's Extended Signature
    Spoiler: Quotes
    Show
    Quote Originally Posted by Lycan 01 View Post
    Roland just endorsed a crack pairing?


    Did... did we break the universe?
    Quote Originally Posted by SassyQuatch View Post
    It is a major flaw in the game. Destroy a moon? Sure. Talk to somebody a hundred miles away, that's going to be difficult.
    Quote Originally Posted by Rizban View Post
    Realistically speaking... D&D style magic doesn't exist, so... let's ignore reality.

  5. - Top - End - #95
    Titan in the Playground
     
    danielxcutter's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Seoul
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    So if nothing else, asterisk for at-will Greater Wightpocalypse then?
    Cool elan Illithid Slayer by linkele.

    Editor/co-writer of Magicae Est Potestas, a crossover between Artemis Fowl and Undertale. Ao3 FanFiction.net DeviantArt
    We also have a TvTropes page!

    Currently playing: Red Hand of Doom(campaign journal) Campaign still going on, but journal discontinued until further notice.

    Quote Originally Posted by Squire Doodad View Post
    I could write a lengthy explanation, but honestly just what danielxcutter said.
    Extended sig here.

  6. - Top - End - #96
    Titan in the Playground
     
    AvatarVecna's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jan 2014

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    Quote Originally Posted by Debatra View Post
    The asterisk itself isn't really being debated. It whether it should include just the spawn or the entire aura because of the "can't enter a populated area" part.
    You sure about that? Cuz the very next comment is...

    Quote Originally Posted by TiaC View Post
    An uncapped number of wight minions might deserve an asterisk, but the casters we've been comparing it to can also easily create swarms of wights at levels 9-11, and they aren't that effective in combat at that level, so I might just say it's one of the parts of the game that you just shouldn't poke at too hard.


    Currently Running WW/Mafia: flat_footed's Fallout 3: Forecast--Rapidly Changing Conditions

    Avatar by AsteriskAmp

    Quote Originally Posted by Xumtiil View Post
    An Abattoir Vecna, if you will.
    My Homebrew

  7. - Top - End - #97
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Goblin

    Join Date
    May 2016

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    I don't think there's much to be gained by further debating what we're giving an asterisk for: I'm personally satisfied knowing that we all agree that it deserves an asterisk. We don't have to agree on how everything needs to be rated: we just need to be able to understand each other's perspectives, and to get a good number of votes that are a reasonable representation of those different perspectives.

  8. - Top - End - #98
    Troll in the Playground
     
    Debatra's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Kaeda
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    As per the above-listed votes, I will be calling this +1*, the asterisk being its uncapped Spawn ability and not the entire aura. Blaspheme is up next.
    Kaedanis Pyran, tai faernae.

    The LA Assignment Threads: Attempting to Make Monsters Playable Since 2016

    My Homebrewer's Extended Signature
    Spoiler: Quotes
    Show
    Quote Originally Posted by Lycan 01 View Post
    Roland just endorsed a crack pairing?


    Did... did we break the universe?
    Quote Originally Posted by SassyQuatch View Post
    It is a major flaw in the game. Destroy a moon? Sure. Talk to somebody a hundred miles away, that's going to be difficult.
    Quote Originally Posted by Rizban View Post
    Realistically speaking... D&D style magic doesn't exist, so... let's ignore reality.

  9. - Top - End - #99
    Troll in the Playground
     
    Debatra's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Kaeda
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    So today we have our first creature that uses the Undead Diet rules. In a nutshell, a creature that is either diet dependent or has an inescapable craving must feed in some way. If they do not, they make will saves or take Wisdom damage every so often. If this causes them to hit 0 Wis, they temporarily become NPCs whom the DM should play as a ravenous beast that seeks only to sate its hunger at all costs. A single feeding immediately heals all of this Wisdom damage.

    Inescapable Cravings must feed more often than Diet-Dependent undead and have a higher save DC, but take less Wisdom damage. For full details, see pages 8-10 of Libris Mortis.

    .

    Blaspheme

    It's a bunch of pieces of corpses stitched together. Basically, imagine Dr. Frankenstein was a necromancer.

    Size & Type: Medium Undead
    HD: 18
    Speed: 40'
    Ability Scores: Str +18, Dex +2, Con -, Int -6, Wis +4, Cha +0 - Net +18, One penalty
    Natural Armor: 9
    Natural Weapons: One Primary bite (1d6 - Listed as 1d8 with Improved Natural Attack)
    Skill List: Listen, Spot, Survival
    Body Shape: Humanoid
    Speech (Languages): Yes (Common)
    CR: 9
    WotC LA: -
    Our LA: -0

    So what do these things have to show for all those undead HD? When it bites a non-evil creature, it deals 1d6 Str damage and a no-save daze for one round. This is also how it feeds its Inescapable Craving. It can make a single turn of up to 90 degrees when charging. It has immunity to cold, DR 5/slashing, and 60' darkvision.

    ...Yes, that's it. Easy -0. The "lost secret" to creating these things can stay lost.
    Last edited by Debatra; 2021-01-14 at 05:18 AM.
    Kaedanis Pyran, tai faernae.

    The LA Assignment Threads: Attempting to Make Monsters Playable Since 2016

    My Homebrewer's Extended Signature
    Spoiler: Quotes
    Show
    Quote Originally Posted by Lycan 01 View Post
    Roland just endorsed a crack pairing?


    Did... did we break the universe?
    Quote Originally Posted by SassyQuatch View Post
    It is a major flaw in the game. Destroy a moon? Sure. Talk to somebody a hundred miles away, that's going to be difficult.
    Quote Originally Posted by Rizban View Post
    Realistically speaking... D&D style magic doesn't exist, so... let's ignore reality.

  10. - Top - End - #100
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    GnomePirate

    Join Date
    Apr 2020
    Location
    Jerusalem
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    Easy LA 0 indeed. As a DM, I like having high HD high STR monsters you can throw as a longer fight at low level or low op parties - but they obviously aren't made to play along at their ECL.

  11. - Top - End - #101
    Titan in the Playground
     
    danielxcutter's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Seoul
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    I'm reminded of the fact that way back when we were doing Vampires, Inevitability mentioned that they actually need to drain levels even more than blood. And then someone mentioned the vampire luring someone into an alley and punching them in the face.

    Also I have no idea why these things are named Blasphemes yet don't have any abilities related to the Blasphemy spell, but looking at their abilities they're certainly a blasphemy against PC optimization. LA -0.
    Cool elan Illithid Slayer by linkele.

    Editor/co-writer of Magicae Est Potestas, a crossover between Artemis Fowl and Undertale. Ao3 FanFiction.net DeviantArt
    We also have a TvTropes page!

    Currently playing: Red Hand of Doom(campaign journal) Campaign still going on, but journal discontinued until further notice.

    Quote Originally Posted by Squire Doodad View Post
    I could write a lengthy explanation, but honestly just what danielxcutter said.
    Extended sig here.

  12. - Top - End - #102
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Remuko's Avatar

    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    New York
    Gender
    Male2Female

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    easy -0. Next!

  13. - Top - End - #103
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    May 2013

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    Very trivial LA -0

  14. - Top - End - #104
    Titan in the Playground
     
    AvatarVecna's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jan 2014

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    La -0. Nothing to say.


    Currently Running WW/Mafia: flat_footed's Fallout 3: Forecast--Rapidly Changing Conditions

    Avatar by AsteriskAmp

    Quote Originally Posted by Xumtiil View Post
    An Abattoir Vecna, if you will.
    My Homebrew

  15. - Top - End - #105
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    WolfInSheepsClothing

    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Gender
    Intersex

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    For a moment, I mistook the 9 for its hit dice, and was prepared to state my case that it should actually be +0 based on the potential to dazelock.

    ...

    -0, under the actual circumstances.

  16. - Top - End - #106
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    GnomePirate

    Join Date
    Apr 2020
    Location
    Jerusalem
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    Quote Originally Posted by Unavenger View Post
    For a moment, I mistook the 9 for its hit dice, and was prepared to state my case that it should actually be +0 based on the potential to dazelock.

    ...

    -0, under the actual circumstances.
    Oh man, I didn't realize there was a difference. Is -0 the rating for something that could use negative LA, if such a thing existed? If so, that's my rating as well.

  17. - Top - End - #107
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    OrcBarbarianGuy

    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Colorado
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    Quote Originally Posted by H_H_F_F View Post
    Oh man, I didn't realize there was a difference. Is -0 the rating for something that could use negative LA, if such a thing existed? If so, that's my rating as well.
    -0 LA isn't super well stated or understood. There was a thread a few years ago to look at how to make these creatures playable and a lot of the time it comes down to slashing rhd. Even though CR is pretty bad and there are a lot of issues with it, clearly you can see that a monster with 18 rhd but CR 9 was never meant to be played in a party of ECL 18 characters.

    Anyways its an easy -0 LA

  18. - Top - End - #108
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    GreatWyrmGold's Avatar

    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    In a castle under the sea
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    I fell out of this more than a year ago, so I've got an archive to binge. Though since we've got new management, it's worth asking—are you going to make a new archive? Or at least link the old one in the OP?
    Last edited by GreatWyrmGold; 2021-01-09 at 04:15 PM.
    Quote Originally Posted by The Blade Wolf View Post
    Ah, thank you very much GreatWyrmGold, you obviously live up to that name with your intelligence and wisdom with that post.
    Quotes, more

    Winner of Villainous Competitions 8 and 40; silver for 32
    Fanfic

    Pixel avatar by me! Other avatar by Recaiden.

  19. - Top - End - #109
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    Batcathat's Avatar

    Join Date
    Nov 2019

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    Quote Originally Posted by GreatWyrmGold View Post
    I fell out of this more than a year ago, so I've got an archive to binge. Though since we've got new management, it's worth asking—are you going to make a new archive? Or at least link the old one in the OP?
    It's already done, you can find it in Debatra's sig, or right here.

  20. - Top - End - #110
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    WolfInSheepsClothing

    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Gender
    Intersex

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters


  21. - Top - End - #111
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    MonkGuy

    Join Date
    Mar 2017

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    I haven't been around much recently so I am a bit late with this, but Thank You Inevitability for all these threads. Also, thank you Debatra for continuing them!
    3.5 Cast - A GitP member made, third edition podcast
    D&D 3.5 Discord Chat, Come one come all
    The Master Specialist Handbook
    Truly Complete List of 3.5e Base Classes
    Spoiler: quotes
    Show
    Quote Originally Posted by Venger View Post
    are you asking us to do research into a setting you wrote yourself?
    Quote Originally Posted by Ashtagon View Post
    DMG 3.5e page 41:
    "If a player behaves in a way you don't want them to behave, talk to them about it. If they continue, stop playing with them. "
    By RAW, you have to stop playing with the guy.

  22. - Top - End - #112
    Bugbear in the Playground
    Join Date
    Sep 2014

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    -0 Undead rhd are bad and there are a ton of them.

  23. - Top - End - #113
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    GnomePirate

    Join Date
    Apr 2020
    Location
    Jerusalem
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    I think we can probably move on, right?

  24. - Top - End - #114
    Titan in the Playground
     
    AvatarVecna's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jan 2014

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    I think so. Not as if there's anything to really debate here. Even if the CR is accurate (and more than likely, the CR is higher than its true challenge rating), the game is still admitting that this thing doesn't belong anywhere near a lvl 18 party.


    Currently Running WW/Mafia: flat_footed's Fallout 3: Forecast--Rapidly Changing Conditions

    Avatar by AsteriskAmp

    Quote Originally Posted by Xumtiil View Post
    An Abattoir Vecna, if you will.
    My Homebrew

  25. - Top - End - #115
    Troll in the Playground
     
    Debatra's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Kaeda
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    Yeah, only reason I didn't already is because I want to have at least a full day between monsters no matter how obvious their rating is. Never know when I might misread or miss something that could change things up.

    Updating the archive, posting the next one soon.
    Kaedanis Pyran, tai faernae.

    The LA Assignment Threads: Attempting to Make Monsters Playable Since 2016

    My Homebrewer's Extended Signature
    Spoiler: Quotes
    Show
    Quote Originally Posted by Lycan 01 View Post
    Roland just endorsed a crack pairing?


    Did... did we break the universe?
    Quote Originally Posted by SassyQuatch View Post
    It is a major flaw in the game. Destroy a moon? Sure. Talk to somebody a hundred miles away, that's going to be difficult.
    Quote Originally Posted by Rizban View Post
    Realistically speaking... D&D style magic doesn't exist, so... let's ignore reality.

  26. - Top - End - #116
    Troll in the Playground
     
    Debatra's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Kaeda
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    Fun Fact: Attempting to stat up a necromancer who had a Bleakborn for an Undead Cohort was what first brought me to these threads.
    .

    Bleakborn


    Size & Type: Medium Undead
    HD: 8
    Speed: 30'
    Ability Scores: Str +12, Dex +6, Con -, Int +4, Wis +4, Cha +4 - Net +30, No penalties
    Natural Armor: 14
    Natural Weapons: One Primary slam (1d6)
    Skill List: Diplomacy, Hide, Intimidate, Listen, Search, Sense Motive, Spot, Survival
    Body Shape: Humanoid
    Speech (Languages): Yes (Common, Moilian)
    CR: 7
    WotC LA: -
    Our LA: +0* (Uncapped Spawn Ability)

    Finally, a monster with a CR close to its number of HD.

    So let's get this out of the way first. Any humanoid a Bleakborn kills becomes a zombie under its command after 1d4 rounds. Also: "Sometimes a newly created spawn becomes a bleakborn instead of a mere zombie, though the wiles of the dark gods determine such instances (that is, the DM decides when this occurs)". Don't expect to ever create another Bleakborn, except maybe as an Undead Cohort. Uncapped Spawn abilities of course get an asterisk. (Though I am also personally on-record as believing that normal zombies are kinda crap.) We now return to our regularly-scheduled monster evaluations.

    For its more basic set of abilities, we have 60' of darkvision, +2 turn resistance, your standard undead traits, and a Diet Dependency for warmth; which it feeds through its Heat-Draining Aura. Its touch deals 2d6 cold damage, and those who hit it in melee (without Reach) take 1d6 of the same. For every three points of cold damage it deals, it heals for one. Any excess healing is kept as temporary HP for up to an hour. A Bleakborn is also immune to magical fire, healing from it in the same way as its cold touch.

    The most interesting thing about Bleakborns is that they simply can't be destroyed by hit point damage alone. They are rendered inactive by hitting zero, but they can heal from that with their Heat-Draining Aura. This aura deals 2d6 cold damage per round to any living creature within 30'. On a successful Cha-based Fortitude save, those creatures take only 1d6 per round. There's also a bit of RAW weirdness. (Naturally for WotC, the errata is silent on this.)

    The "heal from dealing cold damage" thing is specifically part of its cold touch. The Heat-Draining Aura does not have this text, though the description of its Contingent Healing ability implies this is the case. Further complicating the matter is that the stat block lists the latter as "Contingent Healing 10", perhaps implying it's meant to work like fast healing, but only when a living creature is within its aura, but not actually describing what if anything the ten is for. This is also the only creature I've been able to find with "contingent healing", so we can't even use other examples or a general definition (Unless someone else can find something? I've been through LM and all five Monster Manuals.). So here's what I can think of:

    • Interpretation A: It's just broken. You're not destroyed at 0 HP, but you'll need good old-fashioned negative energy to heal
    • Interpretation B: Fast Healing 10, but only when a living creature it could affect with it is within its Heat-Draining Aura.
    • Interpretation C: The ten is a misprint that does nothing. It is meant to heal from all cold damage dealt, not just its touch.


    As a DM, I'd go with C. Other talk has me leaning more towards B now.
    Last edited by Debatra; 2022-08-12 at 02:49 AM.
    Kaedanis Pyran, tai faernae.

    The LA Assignment Threads: Attempting to Make Monsters Playable Since 2016

    My Homebrewer's Extended Signature
    Spoiler: Quotes
    Show
    Quote Originally Posted by Lycan 01 View Post
    Roland just endorsed a crack pairing?


    Did... did we break the universe?
    Quote Originally Posted by SassyQuatch View Post
    It is a major flaw in the game. Destroy a moon? Sure. Talk to somebody a hundred miles away, that's going to be difficult.
    Quote Originally Posted by Rizban View Post
    Realistically speaking... D&D style magic doesn't exist, so... let's ignore reality.

  27. - Top - End - #117
    Titan in the Playground
     
    AvatarVecna's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jan 2014

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    I'm deliberating on a ranking but I do wanna say wrt the healing thing: score based on you think it would be ruked rather than on a literal reading of the text. My thought is, a DM sticking to RAW in a situation lik this wouldn't be using LA reassignment in the first place.


    Currently Running WW/Mafia: flat_footed's Fallout 3: Forecast--Rapidly Changing Conditions

    Avatar by AsteriskAmp

    Quote Originally Posted by Xumtiil View Post
    An Abattoir Vecna, if you will.
    My Homebrew

  28. - Top - End - #118
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Thurbane's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Terra Australis
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    OK, fell behind over the weekend. Blaspheme LA -0: too many HD, and not enough to show for it.

    I'll try to do Bleakborn later today.

  29. - Top - End - #119
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Thurbane's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Terra Australis
    Gender
    Male

    Post Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    Bleakborn

    • 8 RHD (d12 hp, poor BAB, 1 good save, 4 skill points/"level")
    • 30 ft speed
    • +14 natural AC: nice.
    • Slam 1d6 (+2d6 cold)
    • Cold to the touch: deal 2d6 cold damage on a touch, heal 1 point for each 3 you drain (or temp HP if you are at max health). Also inflicts 1d6 when it is hit, unless with a reach weapon. Not bad.
    • Create spawn: humanoids you kill rise as zombies under you control, apparently with no HD limit. Not bad, but being restricted to humanoids only limits it a fair bit. Fluffwise, you occasionally create bleakborn, but I can't see many DMs letting that fly for a PC.
    • Heat draining aura: all living creatures not immune to cold in a 30 foot range take 2d6 cold damage per round (1d6 on a successful Fort save).
    • Contingent healing 10: 30 foot aura. If I'm reading this right it's fast healing 10 when a living creature is in range, and works even you are at 0 HP or less? Aren't undead instantly destroyed at 0? This ability could have been much more clearly defined.
    • Darkvision 60 ft.
    • Diet depending: warmth.
    • Fire lover: heal 1 hit point for each 3 points of fire damage an attack would cause. Nice.
    • Undead traits: the usual.
    • +2 turn resistance.
    • Str +12, Dex +6, Con --, Int +4, Wis +4, Cha +4: net +30, one non-ability. Not bad.
    • Small but OK-ish racial skill list.

    Medium, humanoid in form, and can speak. Should be minimal issues with gear or class progression.

    This guy has a lot going for him, with three distinct sources of self healing; a form of minionmancy; extra cold damage on a hit; minor damaging aura; solid natural armor; decent ability mods and undead immunity stuff. I honestly don't know how to read that Contingent Healing ability: do you pop back to life after going to 0 HP? I assume that wording is just an oversight, and you are destroyed at 0 like all other undead - I would guess it's not intended to be like a ghost's or lich's respawn ability.

    Your damaging aura will cause issues for living allies, but you need a living creature within 30 ft to take advantage of fast healing. You probably want one (or more) living party members who have the cold subtype, or or otherwise immune to cold.

    I can see this guy making a passable melee type, although -4 BAB hurts in this role. I'm voting LA +0* for now, but could change to -0* or +1* on further consideration. AT LA +0, you can at least hit +16 BAB by ECL 20. . Amended to LA +1*. I'd recommend wielding a melee weapon, and taking Snap Kick or similar so you can still inflict cold damage. Otherwise, maybe some type of unarmed or natural attacker. Should there be an asterisk for spawn? Being limited to humanoid zombies only, dunno. I guess I should have it there anyway.

    [edit] OK, I may have badly misread Contingent Healing. Maybe you do keep popping back to life like some kind of Freddy Kruger popsicle. Also, you can't benefit from fast healing if the creature is immune to your cold aura. This is a badly defined and potentially problematic ability. I might need to think on this more. [/edit]

  30. - Top - End - #120
    Troll in the Playground
     
    Debatra's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Kaeda
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: LA Assignment Thread X: New Year, New Management, Same Old Unplayable Monsters

    You indeed do keep popping back to life unlife, but it's very unclear whether it works like fast healing or if it's meant to be healing from your cold aura (which again, does not explicitly heal you to begin with).

    So far; there has been exactly one creature, the Formian Taskmaster, which we've given an asterisk purely because the ability in question was just too unclear to properly parse. Ignoring the Spawn ability for a moment, do we feel like this would be a good second?
    Last edited by Debatra; 2021-01-11 at 11:45 PM.
    Kaedanis Pyran, tai faernae.

    The LA Assignment Threads: Attempting to Make Monsters Playable Since 2016

    My Homebrewer's Extended Signature
    Spoiler: Quotes
    Show
    Quote Originally Posted by Lycan 01 View Post
    Roland just endorsed a crack pairing?


    Did... did we break the universe?
    Quote Originally Posted by SassyQuatch View Post
    It is a major flaw in the game. Destroy a moon? Sure. Talk to somebody a hundred miles away, that's going to be difficult.
    Quote Originally Posted by Rizban View Post
    Realistically speaking... D&D style magic doesn't exist, so... let's ignore reality.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •