I'm trying to find a wingless dragon/wyrm to use as a lower level boss monster in my campaign. I don't seem to be having much luck. So far the linnorms seem to be the closest in concept, but the weakest one is level 14, which is not going to work.
So, is there anything like this that I have overlooked? Or should I just reskin an adult dragon by popping the wings off and taking away some spells?
Which brings up a secondary question: how much does having wings add to a monster's CR, roughly?
I would think the Imperial (think Chinese) dragons (Beastiary 3) might be what you'e looking for.
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I'm trying to find a wingless dragon/wyrm to use as a lower level boss monster in my campaign. I don't seem to be having much luck. So far the linnorms seem to be the closest in concept, but the weakest one is level 14, which is not going to work.
So, is there anything like this that I have overlooked? Or should I just reskin an adult dragon by popping the wings off and taking away some spells?
Which brings up a secondary question: how much does having wings add to a monster's CR, roughly?
You'll want an Imperial Dragon from Bestiary 3. They have a full range of CRs just like the 'standard' dragons, so you should be able to find one that fits. The only issue might be that Imperial dragons usually live in 'Asian' areas...
You should be able to find them listed here http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/dragons/dragon
Edit: GAH ninjas!
If all you do is rip the wings, i'd not dock it much CR if the group is already at 9+ or so- just because it doesn't really matter. If it flew they should be able to as well, and not flying is actually more advantageous for the critter is you are going to use its full attacks wisely. (i.e. all against the same person, preferably the one without a ton of armor). of course this also means using an intelligent dragon. (some are really stupid).
Personally I'd just pick the dragon with the abilities you like, reskin (and de-wing it) and go from there. You can even keep the CR similar as long as its played intelligently.
That at least is imo.
-S
I assume by wingless you mean no-flight, rather than the clumsy, wingless flight of imperial dragons, so I have one suggestion that's not been mentioned yet.
Now, although on its own it isn't boss-monster quality, you should take a look at the Tatzlwyrm in Bestiary 3. A template and a minion or two might get it up to whatever CR you're going for, and just give it some extra Int and a bonus language or two and you hit minor villain potential (if that's what you're going for).
For example: how about a Tatzlwyrm with either of the advanced, or giant creature templates (both add +1 CR) and some pseudodragon (B1) or faerie dragon (B3) minions for? Or perhaps it has a small cult of fey followers, such as Grigs (B2)?
On that note, what CR are you going for? If it's a 1st level party, an advanced or giant Tatzylwyrm on its own is a CR3, which is sort of the perfect difficulty for a party of 4 at 1st level with 15 point-buy. If your PCs are tougher, then you might need more than that.
Actually, make that two suggestions. Another idea that strikes me is an Unfettered Eidolon, also from Bestiary 3. They actually require some work to build to whatever specifics you want, but the Unfettered Eidolon is a really versatile tool for creating monsters that you can't find elsewhere.
Build one up using either the serpentine or quadruped base forms (whichever works best for the kind of dragon you're going for), and simply don't give it wings or flight (or if you do want it to have flight, but not winged flight, you can give it magical flight). You can build it to whatever CR you want based on how many Evolution points you give it (CR1 is 8EP, every one EP beyond that adds 1 to CR) and flavour it to look draconic.
Note that not all summoner evolutions are listed on the B3 Unfettered Eidolon page, but you're the GM and therefore not restricted by that. Look at the summoner in the APG for more evolutions. Heck you could even give your eidolon-dragon a breath weapon using the APG list!
Can you just slap a half-dragon template on something? What CR are you looking for?
What CR are you looking for?
^
What he said."Low level" isn't very descriptive. A boss monster for what level party? Tatzlwyrms are wingless. If you need it stronger you could give it the advanced template and maybe an Int boost if you feel it needs it.
Or you could go with a Linnorm. They are awesome.
The OP already mentioned linnorms, but they are all too powerful. This is for a low-level boss encounter, and the weakest linnorm is already CR 14.
Behirs aren't dragons (they are magical beasts), but are wingless, multi-legged reptilian creatures with a breath weapon. CR 8.
Hodags aren't dragons either (magical beasts), but could pass for a type of forest dragon. CR 6
Hydra Also not dragons (magical beasts), but are dragon-like. CR 4 or more.
Do you want actual dragons (As in, the dragon type), or dragon-like creatures?
And if you find a creature close to what you want, but the wrong CR, don't forget the Young (-1 CR), Advanced (+1 CR), and Giant (+1 CR) templates.
Apologies, I meant to include the level of the party in the OP but I was trying to multitask and it slipped my mind.
After this next adventure, the party will be level 4. I don't know which area they plan to explore next, but I imagine it would be fairly soon thereafter. The party is comprised of a melee inquistor, two melee clerics, a rogue, and a wizard. So, I'd probably say anywhere from CR 8-10 depending on when they head up to this area.
The actual creature I was imagining could be one of a couple things. On the lower level of things, it could be a wingless, flightless large/huge dragon-like creature with four legs, a breath weapon and bite/claws. On the higher level of things it could have some spells mixed in, some better perceptive abilities, DR, and the like.
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On the lower level of things, it could be a wingless, flightless large/huge dragon-like creature with four legs, a breath weapon and bite/claws.
Behir - Few more legs than you ask for, but it fits the bill very nicely.
I'm trying to find a wingless dragon/wyrm to use as a lower level boss monster in my campaign. I don't seem to be having much luck. So far the linnorms seem to be the closest in concept, but the weakest one is level 14, which is not going to work.
So, is there anything like this that I have overlooked? Or should I just reskin an adult dragon by popping the wings off and taking away some spells?
Which brings up a secondary question: how much does having wings add to a monster's CR, roughly?
There are wyrms in a few of the pathfinder modules that may fit your needs. They however do have wings. In one of the beastry's is a half dragon balisk if I recall corectly.
In reguards to the wings if they are damages/ removed by some form of event as suggested elsewhere in this thread I would say at most it is a loss of one CR from a dragon. Other creatures need their wings much more then a dragon does and would cost them much more in CR.
Reskinning an adult dragon is likely the best bet to create close to what you want, but then you would need to tweak it a bit so it felt right to you. Looking at a red dragon for example a young one is a CR 10 as is which might make a very nice Villian for a few adventures with it sending it's own minions after them. They are still only low level spellcasters.
The actual creature I was imagining could be one of a couple things. On the lower level of things, it could be a wingless, flightless large/huge dragon-like creature with four legs, a breath weapon and bite/claws. On the higher level of things it could have some spells mixed in, some better perceptive abilities, DR, and the like.
Unfettered Eidolon. Definitely.
You could work it something like this to get what you're looking for:Quadruped Base Form, free evolutions:
- Bite
- Legs [2]
Additional evolutions:
- Large (4EP)
- Breath Weapon (4EP)
- 1 Additional use per day of Breath Weapon (1EP)
- Claw (1EP)
- Improved Natural Armour [2] (2EP)
- Ability Increase (+2 to one ability score) (2EP)
...That'd be a CR7 dragon fill-in that hits all the requirements you're going for aside from more magic ability. And of course you could mess around with things a bit to add in a few SLAs.