Ash Giants: What Vermin Would You Add?


Advice


Ash Giants have a natural affinity with vermin creatures.

Any recommendations as to what sort of vermin to add to an Ash Giant encounter? Preferably in the same or slightly lower CR range to the giants themselves.


I did a quick look through the Bestiary Index in the PRD and it seems there is not too much to choose from.

My favorite from a close CR value would have to be the Dragonroach (Cockroach) CR12, Colossal, 10 HD.

Giant Emperor Scorpions and Goliath Spiders are also close.

This makes me wonder about having an Ash Giant riding his Vermin Companion, a Colossal Cockroach.

Thank you for spurring my imagination Peet. *thumbs up*


I think I like the scorpion angle, just for thematic reasons. This takes place in an arid environment so scorpions seem good for that.


Wraithguard wrote:

I did a quick look through the Bestiary Index in the PRD and it seems there is not too much to choose from.

My favorite from a close CR value would have to be the Dragonroach (Cockroach) CR12, Colossal, 10 HD.

Giant Emperor Scorpions and Goliath Spiders are also close.

This makes me wonder about having an Ash Giant riding his Vermin Companion, a Colossal Cockroach.

Thank you for spurring my imagination Peet. *thumbs up*

Is there a Dragonroach statblock somewhere or are we meant to extrapolate based on size change rules and smaller variety's stats?


I tried looking for a statblock for it but it looks like it will need to be extrapolated.

I believe the scorpion's stat block is completed though, so that would involve a lot less work. Sounds like a good idea given the environment then Peet. Hope it works out for ya.


Wraithguard wrote:

I tried looking for a statblock for it but it looks like it will need to be extrapolated.

I believe the scorpion's stat block is completed though, so that would involve a lot less work. Sounds like a good idea given the environment then Peet. Hope it works out for ya.

Assuming it works by the size change rules in monster advancement, from a venomroach->dragonroach that's +24 str, -2 dex, +12 con, +12 natural armor, -7 attack/ac, +7 cmb/cmd, -6 fly, -12 stealth, +7d8 hd. I feel like it should have an acid breath attack to give it a more 'dragon' feel.


I'm not sure about the stats, it has been quite awhile since I messed around with monster stat blocks. As far as the breath weapon goes, sounds like a good enough idea to me.

To share my idea, this sort of encounter would take place in a trash and garbage filled mess that would make a goblin outhouse seem like a good thing to crawl around. At the end of this dungeon, you have the giant and cockroach in a room large enough to accommodate them comfortably. Given the nature of the dungeon I would probably give the roach a breath weapon that did some acid damage but more importantly might cause the sickened or nausea condition on a failed save. I love screwing with my players action economy.


The "bury itself" ability of the Giant Emperor Scorpion would lend itself to them being good guard animals. They could remain buried at "watchposts" the giants want guarded.

They are also large enough to ride. I don't want to introduce colossal creatures at the moment, so huge is big enough for me. I could use the young template if I want "easier" ones.

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