yonman17 wrote:
The Hypnalis has ghost touch so does that mean it can attack material creatures and stay on the ethereal plane?...
after doing some research I'd say No. There's enough room that a GM could say Yes but I think that would be rare.
Ghost Touch is for incorporeal vs corporeal, not Ethereal vs Material (which is far broader).
Ghost Touch
Ghost (for "A manifesting ghost can wield the weapon against corporeal foes.")
Ethereal, GMG and Ethereal, OccAdv (for details on the ethereal plane)
Hypnalis
"manifesting" isn't a game term in this context. It means that the ghost is there(visible), active, and still incorporeal and strongly implied on the material plane. The ghost is special as it is a dramatic encounter and thus the monster's abilities are a bit theatrical. Sometimes when things were 'understood' in 3.5, PF assumes the same and carries that assumption forward.
With all the above, there is no mention of Ghost Touch crossing planes. In fact there are multiple highly similar clarifications about what does and does not work. In the game held objects are considered part of the creature, thus a ghost can run off with a held ghost touch weapon when it travels though solid objects.
So I'd read it as Ghost Touch fangs (& poison) on the ethereal plane or on the material plane. Once poisoned(notice two sequential saves are required) the poison goes with the creature to the material plane.
A Hypnalis on either plane could bite a Ghost on its plane and force it to "manifest" on the material plane (and then the ghost would go crazy from the damage). Probably a nastier 1-2 punch for those on the material plane.
Ghost Touch weapon in the hands of a creature could affect corporeal & incorporeal creatures on the same plane as the wielder.
Ectoplasmic Spell affects incorporeal or(really "and") ethereal creatures. That last bit is missing from Ghost Touch.
On the Hypnalis
reading the description should clear it up. It is encountered on the ethereal plane. The poison forces creatures to the Material Plane, creatures on the material plane may(failed save) take Con damage. The poison is rather nasty.
There's nothing about it seeking creatures on the material plane. The Hypnalis' motivations are rather focused and its INT doesn't support a lot of variability. It clearly could follow interlopers to the material plane and finish them off ensuring they don't come back.
Martially Phasing(SU) is very effective as SUs do not provoke. The ability has a duration (as the spell quoted). A free action to renew but the creature has to do that.
CR: with planar travel happening around 11th+ level, CR5 isn't going to be a challenge.
