What do you think of the nose on the mini, Pax?
Also, his tail looks like it was made for digging.
Gene, you should come up with some reason for those.
EDIT: Just compared the mini back to the illustration. The mini does not have the same crazy nose as the mini. I'd definitely base the conversion on the mini, not the illustrations.
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What do you think of the nose on the mini, Pax?
Also, his tail looks like it was made for digging.
Gene, you should come up with some reason for those.
EDIT: Just compared the mini back to the illustration. The mini does not have the same crazy nose as the mini. I'd definitely base the conversion on the mini, not the illustrations.
Gene - please forgive our good friend M. this morning. He was "wife attacked" last night and does not have his wits about him.
The design of the Dragon should follow solid Dragon design principles, with accomodation, as we have been doing, for additional modern aspects (a la the best of the 4e stat card's features - if they make sense). This would keep the design consistent with the rest.
I realize we did not draft a mission statement nor charter for this project, however, we need not over react to either the mini particulars nor the artist's 4e pic. Instead, I hope, cool heads will prevail, giving the dragon the appropriate stats/functions/write up it deserves based on the merits of what it actually is versus reacting to the appearance of the plastic or the particular artist's picture.
Does that make sense?
Perhaps I too was "wife attacked" last night" ;)
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Looking at a picture of the mini I can still somewhat see the wedge-shaped nose. Can't really tell on the tail, though.
That said, the description in the entry will be based upon the miniature and not any art pertaining to the creature. The reason being, not everyone may have access to art of the monster so I want to base it on a tangible object (the miniature, in this case).
Still, the stating of the adamantine dragons are probably a way off as it'll be quite a large undertaking.
I'm having a fuddy-duddy moment.... are we discussing the Iron Dragon Prowler ? That's what I picked up last weekend.
Where did I mix this up with the adamantine dragon?
What do you think of the Iron Dragon Prowler? I keep thinking that I might get lucky. Pax, do you mind me asking how much you plunked down for it?
Adamantine Dragon
Yeah, I completely agree with what you and Gene are saying. Based on the miniature itself and good design principles, with Gene's creative reinterpretation of whatever is good in the 4e material is the way to go. The tail almost looks like it could be used as spade.
PS Surely you were also wife-attacked? Hence the mix-up.
OK. I saw it for 10.06 on eBay, and my finger was hovering over "Buy it NOW". But the wife has kind of had it with mini purchases for a little while...hee-hee.
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That's A Mini
When___the____stat brings you back, like a Shadowhunter bat
That's a mini
When our friend Gene, makes the scene, he's a turbo-stat-machine,
For the minis
Dice will roll big-a-crit-i-cal, hit-the-PCs-skull
And you'll say "double damage!"
Players might cry, some will save or fry, claw-claw-bite-and die,
With a rend they'll be carnage!
When the Hellwasps all buzz, or the Scythe closes its jaws,
Thank Gene for the stat blocks (converted minis)
When the spiders deathjump, and you run like Forest Gump,
You're playing three-five (or Pathfinder)
When your knee's getting bit, by a teleporting twit,
Blame the Gene-ster (Pax or Mairkurion)
Scuzza me, but you see, you're not playing 4e,
They're converted!
Phasewebs move, archons fight, all with three-point-five might,
That's a Tank You (to the Wizards)
When the world seems to shine like you've drunk Cayden Calean's wine, That's Pathfinder! (3-5 compatible)
Dice will roll big-a-crit-i-cal, hit-the-PCs-skull
And you'll say "double damage!"
Three-five stats, keep-the-game-a-live, it-will-even-thrive,
Converted Minis!
That's A Mini! (Converted Minis!)
I see I'm going to have to work on my latest song idea a bit more, now that Pax has raised the bar.
Right after I watch these episodes of the Dean Martin Show...
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After the Stating
-Music by Englebert Humperdinck-
So I stat you a beast
After discussion,
With an extrordinary action, or few feats,
And I hope you enjoy
What the stats and the flavor text have to say.
It's so hard to explain
Everything that I'm statting'
Because 4e doesn't quite translate.
But I love to convert
These creatures so much that I feel high.
Thanks for givin' us
Completely free .pdfs
And thanks for turning' 4e
Into 3.5 for me
So I print out the stats
For use at my table
And scare the crap out of my players
And even the munchins
Don't know what to expect so they cry.
And I know that this song
Is pretty geeky, but its new,
Cause after the stattin'
Gene's got new minis for you.
Mmm, after conversion'
Gene's got 3.5 minis for you.
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Okay, here's the web golem (CR 9):
Golem, Web
I wouldn't want to get near the thing, personally, but I'm sure it could be taken out at range fairly easily. Assuming it's detected, of course.
Here's the current upcoming list of what's getting done:
Shadow Flayer (CR 10 - Demonweb Mini)
Iron Dragon Prowler (CR 11 - Demonweb Mini)
Thoon Hulk (CR 12 - Demonweb mini)
Angel of Retribution (CR 15 - Against the Giants mini) - UPDATE BESTIARY
Rakshasa Assassin (CR 15 - Demonweb mini)
Fire Titan (CR 20 - Against the Giants mini)
Adamantine Dragon (CR Variable - Against the Giants mini)
The adamantine dragon gets done last since it's going to be like 13 stat blocks worth of PC butchery.
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Updated Entries:
- Fixed a typo in the Infernal Armor monster entry. Nothing mechanical, just a typo.
Everything to Date:
Compilations:
Creature Conversion Compendium - No cover - Version 5
Monsters:
Aboleth Lasher
Aboleth Overseer
Aboleth Slime Mage
Archon, Ice
Bat, Shadowhunter
Bugbear Headreaver
Bugbear Lancebreaker
Bugbear Strangler
Bugbear Warrior
Bulette, Juvenile
Carrion Crawler, Enormous
Corruption Corpse
Deathpriest of Orcus
Degenerate Cultist of Orcus
Demon, Gnaw
Demon, Runespiral
Devil, Soulrider
Drake, Bloodseeker
Earth Titan
Firebat
Fungus, Deathcap
Galeb Duhr Earthbreaker
Galeb Duhr Rockcaller
Golem, Chain
Golem, Web
Hellwasp
Hag, Howling
Imp, Grinning
Infernal Armor
Scythejaw
Skeleton, Blazing
Spider, Deathjump
Spider, Phaseweb
Thunderblast Cyclone
Wight, Deathlock
Zombie, Chillborn
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Another update, today brings the shadow flayer:
Shadow Flayer
As a single foe for a group I don't think he'd be too tough, but if there were a few of them (or one with minions) I think it would amount to a truly challenging fight. However, should a shadow flayer manage to somehow keep constantly out of range of his foes, his envenomed arrows would quickly become quite lethal.
Up next is the Iron Dragon Prowler, this one should be fun, I really don't know exactly where I'll be going with it, but it should be nifty! :D
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Updated Entries:
No updates.
Everything to Date:
Compilations:
Creature Conversion Compendium - No cover - Version 5
Monsters:
Aboleth Lasher
Aboleth Overseer
Aboleth Slime Mage
Archon, Ice
Bat, Shadowhunter
Bugbear Headreaver
Bugbear Lancebreaker
Bugbear Strangler
Bugbear Warrior
Bulette, Juvenile
Carrion Crawler, Enormous
Corruption Corpse
Deathpriest of Orcus
Degenerate Cultist of Orcus
Demon, Gnaw
Demon, Runespiral
Devil, Soulrider
Drake, Bloodseeker
Earth Titan
Firebat
Fungus, Deathcap
Galeb Duhr Earthbreaker
Galeb Duhr Rockcaller
Golem, Chain
Golem, Web
Hellwasp
Hag, Howling
Imp, Grinning
Infernal Armor
Scythejaw
Shadow Flayer
Skeleton, Blazing
Spider, Deathjump
Spider, Phaseweb
Thunderblast Cyclone
Wight, Deathlock
Zombie, Chillborn
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Yet another update (three within the span of a week! Holy craps!):
Iron Dragon Prowler
This little fella (well, not so little) should be a suitable challenge for a group of PCs. With the flavor that iron dragons have (basically amounting to: 'We're the rules of the world. Sit down and shut up!') they should make some pretty awesome antagonists who I can imagine surrounding themselves with lots of expendable 'allies.'
Up next is the Thoon Hulk.
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Updated Entries:
No updates.
Everything to Date:
Compilations:
Creature Conversion Compendium - No cover - Version 5
Monsters:
Aboleth Lasher
Aboleth Overseer
Aboleth Slime Mage
Archon, Ice
Bat, Shadowhunter
Bugbear Headreaver
Bugbear Lancebreaker
Bugbear Strangler
Bugbear Warrior
Bulette, Juvenile
Carrion Crawler, Enormous
Corruption Corpse
Deathpriest of Orcus
Degenerate Cultist of Orcus
Demon, Gnaw
Demon, Runespiral
Devil, Soulrider
Drake, Bloodseeker
Earth Titan
Firebat
Fungus, Deathcap
Galeb Duhr Earthbreaker
Galeb Duhr Rockcaller
Golem, Chain
Golem, Web
Hellwasp
Hag, Howling
Imp, Grinning
Infernal Armor
Iron Dragon Prowler
Scythejaw
Shadow Flayer
Skeleton, Blazing
Spider, Deathjump
Spider, Phaseweb
Thunderblast Cyclone
Wight, Deathlock
Zombie, Chillborn
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Up next is the Thoon Hulk.For reference, MM5 (a 3.5 book) has the stats for the Thoon Hulk. Options are good, though, so a Gene version would be welcome!
You are correct, I believe the Shadow Flayer is in there too. Still, if I remember correctly, the Thoon Hulk is stated as a construct; I don't particularly care for that, so mine's going to be a magically-modified aberration.
Yet another update (three within the span of a week! Holy craps!):
Iron Dragon ProwlerThis little fella (well, not so little) should be a suitable challenge for a group of PCs. With the flavor that iron dragons have (basically amounting to: 'We're the rules of the world. Sit down and shut up!') they should make some pretty awesome antagonists who I can imagine surrounding themselves with lots of expendable 'allies.'
Up next is the Thoon Hulk.
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Updated Entries:
** spoiler omitted **Everything to Date:
** spoiler omitted **...
And what came in the mail today? My Iron Dragon Prowler, fresh from Hong Kong. YAY!!!!!!
Blue Gene, I just got a conversion from Blue Gene
He converts fourth edition minis for no money
He always sticks around when you need him
But conversions are now tiring for Blue Gene...
It was sung by the Goblin King, too.
Do you think he became King by winning some kind of Goblin Idol? You know how they love singing.
Ooo...how about this one?
Stat, Magic Stat! (stat, magic stat)
Stat, Magic Stat! (stat, magic stat)
Put Gene's Magic Stats on me!
Convert that mini, set if free!
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It was sung by the Goblin King, too.
Do you think he became King by winning some kind of Goblin Idol? You know how they love singing.
Ooo...how about this one?
Stat, Magic Stat! (stat, magic stat)
Stat, Magic Stat! (stat, magic stat)
Put Gene's Magic Stats on me!
Convert that mini, set if free!
Voon-da-bar!!!
Very well done.
Edit: I'm wearing my goblin shirt now.
Hmm...rough night for the server?
Anyway, I really need to grab some of those goblin tees. My nephews could be goblins wearing goblins.
No, trying to post just kept going off into Never-neverland
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After listening to M. chow down on tea and crumpets yesterday, I had a chance to look over the dragon prowler...
Uh..... Gene?!?
Are you sure this isn't a TPK waiting to happen?
I would think an 8th level party of 5 characters could, on a good day, with full armaments, take on a CR 11.
What do you think?
After looking at the aura damage, and the *gulp* 10d10 damamge in a 60 foot cone!?!? I became grievously afraid that this spelled "too powerful."
But, you are the master. So, I'm asking for some advise with this one... given the CR you've ascribed, do you think an 8th level Pathfinder RPG character group of 5 could possible hurt it?
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After listening to M. chow down on tea and crumpets yesterday, I had a chance to look over the dragon prowler...
Uh..... Gene?!?
Are you sure this isn't a TPK waiting to happen?
I would think an 8th level party of 5 characters could, on a good day, with full armaments, take on a CR 11.
What do you think?
After looking at the aura damage, and the *gulp* 10d10 damamge in a 60 foot cone!?!? I became grievously afraid that this spelled "too powerful."
But, you are the master. So, I'm asking for some advise with this one... given the CR you've ascribed, do you think an 8th level Pathfinder RPG character group of 5 could possible hurt it?
Wow, Pax... you just owned me...
I was supposed to be using the breath weapon damage from a juvenile iron dragon (8d10 damage and normally CR 10) but accidentally used it from a young iron dragon (10d10 damage and normally CR 13)! Good eyes, I'll get it fixed immediately.
As for the aura, one would hope that PCs would either make the knowledge check or notice in the descriptive text the 'arcs of lightning' and would hopefully prepare properly (resist energy totally nullifies the lightning aura at caster level 11, it drops 20 damage off of it at caster level 7 or 8).
Still, I'm open to suggestions on the aura; I was originally going to have it reduce the move speed of creatures nearby but figured it'd be easier for a DM to just have it deal flat damage. What are your thoughts?
Or do you feel that the CR is just plain too low? I'm not opposed to increasing its CR to something like 12 or 13 if you think those would be more fair to its abilities.
EDIT: Okay, here's link to the version with fixed breath weapon damage:
Iron Dragon Prowler
The links listed above, in my previous posts, work as well.
I'm not a dainty tea-taker, like that Prof. Higgins guy. I get it on.
I simply thought that Gene was channeling his suppressed resentment towards his taskmasters into a beast that would kill us all. Just wait til you see how the Adamantium Dragon turns out...
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I'm not a dainty tea-taker, like that Prof. Higgins guy. I get it on.
I simply thought that Gene was channeling his suppressed resentment towards his taskmasters into a beast that would kill us all. Just wait til you see how the Adamantium Dragon turns out...
Did you say you ordered your Adamantiumitantianiticrucian Dragon from China?
How befitting.
Can you face-mail me the URL?
Thanks.
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Quickie....Q: How is Double Attack Ex different from just having improved multi-attack feat.
Looks good, but I didn't get to review in detail. Will do tomorrow... G'nite.
A quick answer before I head to bed myself. Improved multi-attack removes the penalty to attack rolls for the dragon's secondary attacks (its claws, winds, and tail are all secondary attacks). Normally they'd taking a penalty to the roll but improved multi-attack negates that. It (improved multi-attack) really only has a benefit if the dragon's making full-attacks (six or seven whacks at a +23 attack roll is better than 1 attack at +23 and then 5 or so at +21, even if only a small bit better).
Double attack allows the dragon to make 2 claw attacks as a standard action instead of the usual 1 attack that is normally allowed from a standard attack action.
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Quickie....Q: How is Double Attack Ex different from just having improved multi-attack feat.
Looks good, but I didn't get to review in detail. Will do tomorrow... G'nite.
A quick answer before I head to bed myself. Improved multi-attack removes the penalty to attack rolls for the dragon's secondary attacks (its claws, winds, and tail are all secondary attacks). Normally they'd taking a penalty to the roll but improved multi-attack negates that. It (improved multi-attack) really only has a benefit if the dragon's making full-attacks (six or seven whacks at a +23 attack roll is better than 1 attack at +23 and then 5 or so at +21, even if only a small bit better).
Double attack allows the dragon to make 2 claw attacks as a standard action instead of the usual 1 attack that is normally allowed from a standard attack action.
Hey thanks - and, again, you are the man!
So, another quick question - to be sure I'm not still running dragon encounters wrong....
As a full round action, can a dragon use claw, claw, bite, tail, wing, wing, breath?
Or, am I mistaken? Maybe as a FRA, the said dragon, any dragon really, can only use 1 of its claws, and one of its wings, unless it has the "double attack" power?
Maybe its just been too long since my players have seen a dragon.....and I've forgotten.
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Hey thanks - and, again, you are the man!So, another quick question - to be sure I'm not still running dragon encounters wrong....
As a full round action, can a dragon use claw, claw, bite, tail, wing, wing, breath?
Or, am I mistaken? Maybe as a FRA, the said dragon, any dragon really, can only use 1 of its claws, and one of its wings, unless it has the "double attack" power?
Maybe its just been too long since my players have seen a dragon.....and I've forgotten.
The dragon would be able to make a full attack but not a breath weapon in the same round. The full attack (all its bites, claws, and whatnot) are a full-round action whereas a breath weapon is a standard action.
The double attack power is really only of use if you intend to have the dragon move and attack in the same round. If the dragon's stationary (and, as such able to make its full attacks), the double attack power doesn't even come into play.
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The double attack power is really only of use if you intend to have the dragon move and attack in the same round. If the dragon's stationary (and, as such able to make its full attacks), the double attack power doesn't even come into play.
THATS what I was lookin for. This is good. It really frees up the dragon to act as potently as it should.
If only such as power were available for PCs at some point - we'd be cookin with gas.
Maybe this should be an NPC power.......
Nothing sucks more for a GM than when the uber NPC needs to move 10 feet and loses its full attack actions (when playing RAW), as I do with PFRPG.
Thank you, Gene. What would I do without you!
-Pax-
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THATS what I was lookin for. This is good. It really frees up the dragon to act as potently as it should.
If only such as power were available for PCs at some point - we'd be cookin with gas.
Maybe this should be an NPC power.......
Nothing sucks more for a GM than when the uber NPC needs to move 10 feet and loses its full attack actions (when playing RAW), as I do with PFRPG.
Thank you, Gene. What would I do without you!
-Pax-
Glad to be of help. :D
As for an NPC power, I was actually going to release it as a feat in one of the two booklets I was going to be putting out. There were actually two, here's a preview if you're interested:
Your training with weapons of all sorts has given you the ability to strike twice as fast as a common man.
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +11.
Benefit: You may make two attacks as a standard action instead of one. This secondary attack incurs all normal penalties for iterative attacks.
Normal: You may only make a single attack as a standard action.
Your mastery with weapons of all sorts has given you the ability to strike three times as fast as a common man.
Prerequisites: Double Attack, base attack bonus +16.
Benefit: You may make three attacks as a standard action instead of one. These second and third attacks incur all normal penalties for iterative attacks.
Normal: You may only make a single attack as a standard action.
I figure they'll work well enough for NPCs and the players, but I fear to give them to monsters as most most at those levels can smash a character's head in pretty nicely with only a single attack. Still, something to think on, I suppose. At least with Pathfinder RPG you have the Vital Strike feats at later levels, they're definitely better than what you get with core 3.5 (that is to say, nothing).
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*casts Revivify Thread*
Has anybody started work on the Rimefire Griffon? I've got a rough version, I'm just trying to figure out the CR. Feels about a 12 or 13, but not sure yet.
Pathfinder conversion of the 4e Rimefire Griffon
Usually N Large Magical Beast; CR 13
Hit Dice 20d10+120 +20 (250 hp)
Init +9
Speed 30', fly 80' (average, +14)
AC 34 (-1 size, +5 Dex, +20 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 29
BAB/CMB +20/+28
Attack Bite +27 melee (2d8+7 plus 1d6 cold, 19-20/x2) and 2 claws +24 melee (1d6+3 plus 1d6 cold, 20/x2)
Space/Reach 10'/5'
Spec Atk Frost touch (plus 1d6 cold damage with all natural attacks), pounce, rake (2 claws at +24, 1d6+3 plus 1d6 cold, 20/x2), rimefire blast (30' cone, 8d10 fire damage, Ref DC 28 half, once every 1d4 rounds)
Spec Qual Cold resistance 30, darkvision 60', fire resistance 30, low-light vision, rider resistance (any allied rider gains cold resistance 10 and fire resistance 10), scent
Saves Fort +18, Ref +17, Will +14
Abilities Str 24, Dex 21, Con 22, Int 5, Wis 19, Cha 10
Skills Acrobatics (1) +13, Fly (6) +14, Perception (7) +18, Survival (6) +13
Feats Ability Focus (rimefire blast), Flyby Attack, Improved Critical (claw), Improved Initiative, Improved Natural Attack (bite, claw), Iron Will, Multiattack, Toughness, Weapon Focus (bite)
Skills: A rimefire griffon has a +4 racial bonus to all Acrobatics and Perception checks.
Edit: And yes, it is a 4e mini. They had the preview for it as a part of Legendary Evils.
Thanks for joining in, Kvantum. I hope the Rimfire Griffon continues the trend of "4e minis that look crappy in the picture but look great in person". Because I love the hippogriff, and could use more griffony goodness.
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Thanks for joining in, Kvantum. I hope the Rimfire Griffon continues the trend of "4e minis that look crappy in the picture but look great in person". Because I love the hippogriff, and could use more griffony goodness.
Yes, thanks for joining Kvantum. Good to see your stats meet Gene's seal of approval!
Also - are folks fighting griffons these days? I always saw these as fairly benevolent riding steeds, only provoked by pesky adventurers stealing eggs...
They are on the summoned creatures list, right?
And, if they're just neutral animals, anybody could end up in a combative situation with them, near their nest, etc.
Hey, did you I miss the horse meat thing in some game reference, or (as I suspect) did you go and do your own research on gryphons?
Really? Well, good for who all wrote the Monstrous Manual.
Maybe my interest in gryphons developed later and I just remember doing my own research. Where was the pic? Got a link?
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And here's the thoon hulk:
Thoon Hulk
It was actually MUCH easier to stat than I figured it'd be; as it stands this version of the thoon hulk is a deadly (if simple in its methods) melee bruiser. A party engaging it at range (especially whilst flying) would likely be able to take it down with no harm on their part. Never hurts to have some mind flayers floating around with 'em, though.
I think the biggest change I made was switching them over to aberrations from being constructs.
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Updated Entries:
No updates.
Everything to Date:
Compilations:
Creature Conversion Compendium - No cover - Version 5
Monsters:
Aboleth Lasher
Aboleth Overseer
Aboleth Slime Mage
Archon, Ice
Bat, Shadowhunter
Bugbear Headreaver
Bugbear Lancebreaker
Bugbear Strangler
Bugbear Warrior
Bulette, Juvenile
Carrion Crawler, Enormous
Corruption Corpse
Deathpriest of Orcus
Degenerate Cultist of Orcus
Demon, Gnaw
Demon, Runespiral
Devil, Soulrider
Drake, Bloodseeker
Earth Titan
Firebat
Fungus, Deathcap
Galeb Duhr Earthbreaker
Galeb Duhr Rockcaller
Golem, Chain
Golem, Web
Hellwasp
Hag, Howling
Imp, Grinning
Infernal Armor
Iron Dragon Prowler
Scythejaw
Shadow Flayer
Skeleton, Blazing
Spider, Deathjump
Spider, Phaseweb
Thoon Hulk
Thunderblast Cyclone
Wight, Deathlock
Zombie, Chillborn
I think the biggest change I made was switching them over to aberrations from being constructs.
And I am grateful! Did I mention how much I hated them being cast as constructs?