I saw a fellow PF2 GM on reddit looking for assistance creating a False Hydra for 2nd edition. Now that the monster rules are out I figured I'd give it a shot and see what I could come up with.
I mostly used the 5e version as a base and then adapted things for PF2.
My version for Pf2 is here and any feedback criticism is welcome. Was my first time adapting/creating something to the new rules.
I also have them as individual pdfs with better resolution, was a pain combining them all into one.
After reading the flavor article on the False Hydra: Woah, that thing is a nasty nightmare! D: It's not merely a monster, it's an adventure hook. Really scary.
Your PF2 version looks nice. The level of the different stages is good, I think. Level 12 for the big version seems plausible as a target from what I read in the flavor article. :)
Some thoughts:
- The biggest version just seems to be an number-upgraded version of mature. Maybe give it the Dominate spell like in the flavor article?
- The Flurry of Maws might want to say that you can't attack a creature multiple times? Many such multi-attack monster abilities do to avoid extreme focus fire.
- The song does a really different thing like what the flavor text described and what made it so scary. In your version, it's just an ability useful for combat and not such a mindf*** as in the description.
Maybe make aversion of it an exploration activity that makes the hydra be invisible on everything except a critical success? And only on a success you even hear the song. And not make victims go towards the hydra.... that defeats the purpose of the song to make the hydra unnoticable. 8)
TLDR: looks good except for the song.
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After reading the flavor article on the False Hydra: Woah, that thing is a nasty nightmare! D: It's not merely a monster, it's an adventure hook. Really scary.
Your PF2 version looks nice. The level of the different stages is good, I think. Level 12 for the big version seems plausible as a target from what I read in the flavor article. :)
Thanks!
I was mostly leaving the exploration part to the original article/homebrew and individual GM's as I wasn't sure how to represent a constant area effect like that for the creature when not in Encounter mode.
Some thoughts:
- The biggest version just seems to be an number-upgraded version of mature. Maybe give it the Dominate spell like in the flavor article?
- The Flurry of Maws might want to say that you can't attack a creature multiple times? Many such multi-attack monster abilities do to avoid extreme focus fire.
- The song does a really different thing like what the flavor text described and what made it so scary. In your version, it's just an ability useful for combat and not such a mindf*** as in the description.
-The Adult False Hydra does have the Dominate spell, with Song of Domination. It's a Permanent 1 mile aura, I had successful saves granting 24hr immunity at first but wasn't sure if that would make it too easy. I also played with adding Improved Grab to the Adult False Hydra but wasn't sure if Flurry + Improved Grab would be too strong.
-Good point on the Flurry only hitting each target once.
-I think I was relying too much on the description in the homebrewery version here. Should probably add an ability that does Modify Memory on hearing the song and have it grow with the Hydra.
thanks again for the feedback.
Shouldn't thd bonus to the deflective reaction be +2 instead of +3?
All the Monsters i saw have +2 ac reactions. Even lvl 20 ancient dragons.
Maybe?
I just based it off the 5e one where it was +5ac. It's relatively easy to hit normally with weak reflex and ok base AC so +3 vs one attack didn't seem too bad when I was making it.
You tell me.
I'd do some Math with different scenarios
Ac+1 and reaction with +2
Ac and reaction +3.
Remember that characters will have the following attack bonus.
Fighters +13
Others +11
20 ac for a lvl 4 creature seems slightly low.
I suggest you to consider trying a 21 ac +2 from reaction.
20 is the moderate AC for a lvl 4 creature. It's not supposed to be hard to hit, also why it has a low reflex save.
Using the Monster guidelines the False Hydra has a Low AC. +3 brings it up to High/Moderate for one attack.