Not sure if this post is for here or the rules discussion
Does anyone have any theories on why Sea Hags seem to be the only ones without "Alter Self" as an at will power? I had the assumption that changing shape to trick people was big part of the Hag's shtick
Also I can't quite get my head around why a Sea Hag is only one CR lower than a Green Hag (perhaps could be looked at at why a Green Hag is only one CR higher). It has more HD and a boatload of spells/spell like abilities at quite a high caster level
Best answer that I can think of: TPTB probably did not give the Hags much thought. She was just another monster for mid level characters; they had a lot of those to stat.
That was then.
Today, she can take the NPC class the Adept and, with Variant Multi-Classing, the hag can become a threat to higher level parties. This also moves her closer to the archetype of the Halloween Witch.
Second the Harpynator - Hags were likely just ported in from other versions and didn't get much thought.
Suggestions: give them Alter Self 1/day (not much of a change to CR); give them levels of Sorcerer, more levels of Adept, or other such character boons; throw them a crazy-high Disguise ability.
@ the OP: what are you looking to do with them? I ask cuz I use hags a lot in my fairy-tale-inspired games.
Does anyone have any theories on why Sea Hags seem to be the only ones without "Alter Self" as an at will power? I had the assumption that changing shape to trick people was big part of the Hag's shtick
They aren't - Storm Hags don't either... not even going to go through the whole "more hags than you thought" thread to check all of the others... it's HERE if you're interested, though.
Also I can't quite get my head around why a Sea Hag is only one CR lower than a Green Hag (perhaps could be looked at at why a Green Hag is only one CR higher). It has more HD and a boatload of spells/spell like abilities at quite a high caster level
Part of it may be the value placed on the special abilities of the Sea Hag:
Evil Eye's ability is both stackable and brutal when they land. Staggered for days if only one lands and comatose / potentially death if two land.Horrific Appearance's action economy (in that it requires no action for the Sea Hag to deal STR damage to everything that sees her) moves it from a "meh" to a pretty solid ability, especially when you consider that swim checks are strength checks...
Compare to standard ability SLA's and Str damage that requires a successful attack roll and I can see it.
(to be fair though, my fav use of a Green Hag is just to have them spam Whispering Wind to cuss out PCs, their allies, or just anyone at random they can see at a distance)
Edit: Also, welcome back, Mark H! - haven't seen your posts in quite a while.
Does anyone have any theories on why Sea Hags seem to be the only ones without "Alter Self" as an at will power? I had the assumption that changing shape to trick people was big part of the Hag's shtickThey aren't - Storm Hags don't either... not even going to go through the whole "more hags than you thought" thread to check all of the others... it's HERE if you're interested, though.
Also I can't quite get my head around why a Sea Hag is only one CR lower than a Green Hag (perhaps could be looked at at why a Green Hag is only one CR higher). It has more HD and a boatload of spells/spell like abilities at quite a high caster levelPart of it may be the value placed on the special abilities of the Sea Hag:
Evil Eye's ability is both stackable and brutal when they land. Staggered for days if only one lands and comatose / potentially death if two land.
Horrific Appearance's action economy (in that it requires no action for the Sea Hag to deal STR damage to everything that sees her) moves it from a "meh" to a pretty solid ability, especially when you consider that swim checks are strength checks...Compare to standard ability SLA's and Str damage that requires a successful attack roll and I can see it.
(to be fair though, my fav use of a Green Hag is just to have them spam Whispering Wind to cuss out PCs, their allies, or just anyone at random they can see at a distance)
Edit: Also, welcome back, Mark H! - haven't seen your posts in quite a while.
I clearly misinterpreted the power of some of those abilities.
I didn't manage to fit the encounter in after all. I will have to consider it for further down the line
Second the Harpynator - Hags were likely just ported in from other versions and didn't get much thought.
Suggestions: give them Alter Self 1/day (not much of a change to CR); give them levels of Sorcerer, more levels of Adept, or other such character boons; throw them a crazy-high Disguise ability.
@ the OP: what are you looking to do with them? I ask cuz I use hags a lot in my fairy-tale-inspired games.
I wanted one disguised as a normal looking human women in need of rescue (you know, the usual...)
If you're the DM, nothing prevents you from making a sea hag with advanced/unusual abilities...