Living Monolith Prestige Class in PFRPG

[Caedwyr]

In 3.5, the Living Monolith prestige class had full bab and d8 hp. It is a Fighter type that gains a number of immunities and supernatural powers to help guard the tombs of Osirion. In pathfinder, would it be best to raise it's HD up to d10, lower the BAB down to 3/4, or leave things as they are (HD: d8, Full BAB)?

[fray]

d10 and full BAB.

What book is it in?

[Caedwyr]

Pathfinder Companion: Osirion, Land of Pharaohs.

[Bobson]

You should always let the BAB set the HD when doing a conversion, and not the other way around. Changing the BAB of a class is a major change that changes the entire flavor of a class as well as who a prestige class appeals to. Changing the HD size means an average of 1 hp different per step it changes, which is a rather minor change.

Obviously, there can be exceptions (such as a mage that burnt hit points for bonuses which had a d12 and 1/2 BAB in 3.5), but as a general rule, follow the BAB.

[Caedwyr]

Yeah, that was my feeling. However, from what I can tell for Pathfinder Society games, things have just been left as-is. Maybe someone can confirm/deny that based on their actual game experience.

[Skylancer4]

Caedwyr wrote:

Yeah, that was my feeling. However, from what I can tell for Pathfinder Society games, things have just been left as-is. Maybe someone can confirm/deny that based on their actual game experience.

Just a guess, but seeing as it was created by Paizo and they had already decided to start the PFRPG at that point, chances are it was created and in line with what they wanted for the PFRPG. Most of the conversions that anyone is going to worry about is geared towards non paizo/3.5.

Even if it was technically a 3.5 book, they knew what they wanted for the game when it was written and stated it out accordingly, so no conversion necessary for Society games. It was fine as is.

[Devilkiller]

For our game we raised the HD to a d10. As somebody said, this is a pretty minor difference. I'm not sure how it is handled in PFS. They may have left it as-is for similar reasons.

[Russell Akred]

Since you have a scarab embedded into his/her forehead can it be a Scarab of Golembane?

[Caedwyr]

I'm curious. Has anyone seen a Living Monolith in play in PFS, and what type of HD did they use?

[Russell Akred]

I would assume I will have them use the d8 because that is how it is printed. The difference is not worth straying from what is in print.

[LazarX]

Not all classes follow the BAB/HD rule. Barbarians also break it. for PFS it goes just as you see it in the PFSRD. Full BAB/D8 HD.

[Artanthos]

Bobson wrote:

You should always let the BAB set the HD when doing a conversion, and not the other way around. Changing the BAB of a class is a major change that changes the entire flavor of a class as well as who a prestige class appeals to. Changing the HD size means an average of 1 hp different per step it changes, which is a rather minor change.

Obviously, there can be exceptions (such as a mage that burnt hit points for bonuses which had a d12 and 1/2 BAB in 3.5), but as a general rule, follow the BAB.

The very first exception would be in the core rules. Dragon Disciple.

[Caedwyr]

And yet, the official conversion rules strongly suggest linking BAB to HD despite the exceptions, hence the question.

[Qa'pelos]

Caedwyr wrote:

I'm curious. Has anyone seen a Living Monolith in play in PFS, and what type of HD did they use?

I realize this comes a bit after the original post, but I play a Living Monolith in PFS. (FTR5/LM5) and I use the PRC as published. It's a great class, loads of fun, and I haven't ever considered before that it was underpowered or anything. When the Ka Stone allows me to Righteous Might, the CON bonus offsets the HP loss. (2 additional HP per HD.) so, it works out in the end.

Oh, and Holy Identical Avatar, Batman!!!!

[LazarX]

Caedwyr wrote:

And yet, the official conversion rules strongly suggest linking BAB to HD despite the exceptions, hence the question.

It's a suggestion not a law written on holy stone. Paizo felt that the class did not need the HD bump and so never did so. For PFS use as it is an allowed class, it remains as d8 hit dice.