I posted a similar thread here: http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/dnd/general/mindFlayersPlaneShift
Is a mind flayer's plane shift ability meant to be used offensively? There is no save DC listed in Zyrzog's stat block, nor in the Monster Manual for the regular mind flayer or mind flayer sorcerer. This leads me to believe:
1. There is no save. If this is true, the mind flayer's CR definitely needs to be increased.
2. Mind flayers can only plane shift the willing. This strikes me as more accurate. In 1E, mind flayers had Probability Travel at the 7th level of psionic ability, a power which they could use on themselves AND up to two other creatures. Also, I'm told that the "psionic" mind flayer from the Expanded Psionics Handbook can only use this ability on the willing.
I'm pretty sure #2 is correct, but I can't find any clarification for this in the core rules. I've posted this question on other message boards, & there appears to be no consensus. If Erik, James, SKR, or the like could chime in on this, I'd really appreciate it.
There's nothing to suggest the mind flayer's plane shift ability works any differently than it does in the PHB, so it should work the same as it does there. The missing save DC is likely just an oversight.
This would make Zyrzog even more deadly, as the save DC for his plane shift would be 23.
I looked through the SRD & found only 6 creatures that can use plane shift as a SLA offensively (genies have it, but can only send the willing): Astral Deva, Couatl, Marut, Nightcrawler, Nightwalker, and Nightwing.
The lowest CR is the Coutal, at CR 10. All the others are 14 & above. Since a mindflayer (CR 8) is worth 1/2 the xp of a coutal, doesn't something seem off? It's mind blast is devastating enough, but throw in the ability to use plane shift offensively, & it seems like the mindflayer should have a higher CR. If it was intended to use PS that way, why can't the "psionic" mind flayer do the same?
Creative Director
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Actually, his plane shift DC should be DC 21 (5th-level spell + Cha bonus of +6 plus 10).
In any case, plane shift is a touch attack, so in order to use it he has to get in melee; not something most mind flayers would want to do against unstunned foes. In addition, his caster level for his psionics is 8th; only 1 lower than the standard CL 9 a cleric would have to be to cast plane shift.
The base mind flayer's CR isn't higher because it's physically rather weak. It's AC of 15 is 6 points lower than the average CR 8 monster's, and its 44 hit points are 56 points lower than the average CR 8 monster's. It's physical attacks (while scary), do an average damage of 14 points; 23 less than the average.
Mind flayers are, as a result, a little squirrelly to CR. While their magical abilities are quite formidable, they simply can't stand up to physical attacks.
In any event, a mind flayer's greatest method of attack is the mind blast, which it can use each round. This attack affects multiple targets and can be used at range. It's also got suggestion and charm monster at will, both ranged attacks. Put another way, using plane shift offensively is not an optimal tactic for a mind flayer; if a mind flayer's using this instead of mind blast or trying to get away, something's gone terribly wrong for the poor illithid. Therefore, I don't see giving them standard plane shift ability as being much of a problem.
Actually, his plane shift DC should be DC 21 (5th-level spell + Cha bonus of +6 plus 10).
The MM says a monster's SLAs are assumed to be the sorcerer/wizard versions, that's why I said 23.
Put another way, using plane shift offensively is not an optimal tactic for a mind flayer; if a mind flayer's using this instead of mind blast or trying to get away, something's gone terribly wrong for the poor illithid.
Good point. My whole issue with it is whether the offensive use of plane shift was something intentional, seeing as how the 1E creature couldn't do this & the 3.5 "psionic" mind flayer can't do it either. Given the lack of consistency, I think it's an issue that's worth addressing.
The only real offensive use I can see for a Mind Flayer's plane shift is to escape with a stunned victim and enjoy its meal in peace. ;)
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Creative Director
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Fair enough regarding the sorcerer/wizard versions of spells. Although I'd rather see duplicate spells like this generally default to the lowest level version; that's just me, I guess.
And the 3.5 psionic mind flayer can do a lot of things the MM version can't; he's in no need of getting buffed.
Anyway, the right answer for all of this is, of course, to run the guy how you want to in your home game. That might seem like a cop-out to some, but in the end if you decide to run it one way and everyone has fun, then you made the right choice.