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Hey guys, I'm looking for some monsters that fit a specific profile. Hopefully you've got some ideas...
I'm basically looking for the following:
- not immmune to mind-affecting abilities
- CR << 1; I want to use LOTS of them
- suitable for a jungle environment (dinosaurs allowed)
- aggressive enough to attack a large party (7 PCs)
The fighter hasn't been doing well; he's moving much slower than most of the party due to armor, and cleave hasn't worked out either. So I want some nice horde critters that he can whack away at and feel better about himself. But the PCs are level 1 and still a bit fragile.
The witch and wizard have had a difficult time as well; the undead and stirges and giant leeches were all immune to Evil Eye and Color Spray. I want to mix it up a bit for them.
The setting is a stone-age jungle; civilization is just getting started again, digging up Precursor Ruins with more high-tech (metal) weapons and stuff.
The problem I see, is that most really weak but not mindless creatures wouldn't attack a party of seven. I'm trying to find some monsters that would. Anyone have ideas?
As a general suggestion, check out d20pfsrd.com's Bestiary by CR section. There's an entire page of critters whose CR is under 1.
Dinosaurs okay? Then Compsognathus is your best bet. CR 1/2, swarmy little scavenger/mass predator. These are the little bitty cat-sized dinos from Jurassic Park that swarmed all over that one guy who was unlucky enough to get tripped and fall.
Dwarf Caiman are CR 1/3 and make good swamp lurkers.
Dodos are CR 1/4, as are Donkey Rats.
Goblin Dogs are freaky, have a weird disease effect to them, and are CR 1.
Emus can be aggressive, and are CR 1/2; there are also stats there for a CR 1 version.
Gars are interesting CR 1 Crocodile-like fish.
Quipper Fish are CR 1/8; if the group gets near water a school of these would be an interesting challenge.
Hydrus are CR 1/2 with a poison ability.
Common Lizards are CR 1/6, paint them as territorial and you have perfect excuse for them to attack en-masse as a clan or family.
Rhamphorhynchus are CR 1/3 Tiny pterosaurs, and make a good substitute for bats.
Snakes are CR 1/2. What's a jungle without snakes?
Weasel stats can be used for similar creatures such as Ferrets or Ermines, and are CR 1/2.
Eh, the effective party level is 2 (7 lvl 1 PCs add +1). That means that you can send a APL+3 encounter at the party with an encounter rating of 5. Which is likely to kill the party honestly.
So no hordes of CR1s sadly. As 2 CRs 1s is EL 2, 4 is EL3, 8 is EL4. I guess it could work if you send them in packets of 4 with a round or two rest between each. But honestly, at level 1 you are 1 roll away from PC death at every combat. Why tempt fate with CR1s?
So that leaves hordes of humanoids with 1 class level (CR1/2 if its a PC class). Warriors are CR1/3. I think a war-band of 12 warriors would think they could take a group of 7 PCs. 3 of them is EL1, 6 is EL2, 12 is EL3.
That is a tough encounter btw, APL+1. But in all honesty as long as the casters still have a color spray or two they can probably keep things under control. Remember to also use the npc array, not the herioc NPC array, and to not use orcs because their str will kill PCs too quick. If you think its too hard break it up into 2 waves of 6. If you think it would be too easy, toss in an "elite" commander (warrior with extra levels, or a lvl of PC class or two).
Eyup.
Despite their silly name, they're a great little beastie. Here's some horrifying inspiration.
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Despite their silly name, they're a great little beastie. Here's some horrifying inspiration.
Nature is scary!
However, they're immune to mind-affecting abilities, so while fun for the fighter, not so much for the witch. Good headjob for the cleric trying to channel it to death though.
Kobold Amazons. Replace the slings with blowguns /w black adder venom, and give them a mix of spears & terbutjes for melee. Give one a level of a PC fighter class and give them a Taiaha and a Atlatl for their leader.
The Hydrus can't invade Mediums, thankfully. But say goodbye to that party halfling!