Nu
2010-08-30, 01:15 AM
The Monster Manual 3 brought a deluge of challenging encounters for veteran 4th edition players, and for many, this was seen as a welcome addition to the game. However, perhaps a few people like myself noticed something: there is a near complete lack of heroic tier solo monsters in the MM3!
The upcoming Monster Vault promises to correct this issue, and the preview of the Young Black Dragon shows that heroic tier solos will make a comeback, and in the form of classic monsters such as chromatic dragons. However, I expect that only the dragons present in the original MM will be updated to the new standards. So, for fun, I've decided to attempt to update the three young chromatic dragons from the Draconomicon 1 to the new 3rd generation monster standard.
Feedback is appreciated, and frankly feel free to use such monsters and ideas in your games.
Young Brown Dragon
(Level 3 Solo Lurker) 750 XP
Large natural magical beast (dragon)
Initiative +6
Senses Perception +3; Darkvision; Tremorsense 10
HP 138; Bloodied 69
AC 17; Fortitude 19; Reflex 16; Will 17
Saving Throws +5, Action Points 2, Speed 8; burrow 8; fly 6 (clumsy); overland flight 12
Resist 10 fire
{table=head]TRAITS
Action Recovery
Whenever the dragon ends its turn, any dazing, stunning, or dominating effect on it ends.
Desert Winds
At the start of the dragon's turn, if the dragon is bloodied, it can slide each enemy adjacent to it or any of its zones (those created by desert twister or sand breath) 1 square.
Dune Lurker
The dragon has a +2 bonus to attack rolls against enemies it has concealment or total concealment against.
Instinctive Action
The dragon can use a free action to charge or use bite on an initiative of its initiative check + 10. If the dragon cannot use a free action on this initiative count due to a dominating or stunning effect, then that effect ends instead of the dragon making its attack.
[/table]
{table=head]STANDARD ACTIONS
Bite ✦ At-Will
Attack: Basic Melee 2 (one creature) +9 vs. AC
Hit: 2d6 + 6 damage, and all creatures have concealment against the target (save ends).
Miss: 5 damage.
Claw ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 2 (one creature) +9 vs. AC. The dragon makes this attack twice, either twice against the same creature or one attack against two different creatures.
Hit: 1d10 + 4 damage.
Sand Breath (zone) ✦ Recharge [5] [6]
Attack: Close blast 5 (enemies in blast) +6 vs. Fortitude
Hit: 2d6 + 2 damage.
Miss: Half damage.
Effect: The blast creates a zone of swirling sand that lasts until the end of the dragon's next turn. Any creature that moves into the zone or begins its turn in the zone takes 5 damage. The zone blocks line of sight for creatures other than the dragon.
[/table]
{table=head]MINOR ACTIONS
Desert Twister (zone) ✦ Encounter
Effect: Area burst 1 within 10 squares; the dragon summons a twister in the burst which lasts until the end of the encounter. Any creature that begins its turn in the zone takes 5 damage and is slowed until the end of its next turn. Whenever the dragon uses bite or charges as part of instinctive action, it can move the zone up to 6 squares as a free action.
[/table]
{table=head]MOVE ACTIONS
Sand Cloud (polymorph) ✦ Recharge [6]
Effect: The dragon transforms into a cloud of sand and shifts up to its speed. It can move through occupied squares but must end its move in an unoccupied space. Any creature whose space the dragon enters takes 1d6 + 4 damage and is blinded (save ends). The dragon returns to its normal form at the end of this move.
[/table]
{table=head]TRIGGERED ACTIONS
Sand Spray ✦ At-Will
Trigger: An enemy hits or misses the dragon with a ranged attack.
Attack (Opportunity Action): Ranged 20 (triggering enemy) +6 vs. Reflex
Hit: 1d6 + 2 damage, and the target is blinded until the end of its next turn.
Bloodied Breath ✦ Encounter
Trigger: The dragon is first bloodied.
Effect (Free Action): Sand breath recharges, and the dragon uses it.
[/table]
Skills Endurance +8, Stealth +7
{table=head]Ability|Score|Modifier|Modifier + 1/2 Level
Strength|
19|
+4|
+5
Constitution|
14|
+2|
+3
Dexterity|
12|
+1|
+2
Intelligence|
12|
+1|
+2
Wisdom|
14|
+2|
+3
Charisma|
10|
+0|
+1
[/table]
Young Gray Dragon
(Level 5 Solo Soldier) 1,000 XP
Large natural magical beast (dragon)
Initiative +6
Senses Perception +10; Darkvision
HP 195; Bloodied 97
AC 21; Fortitude 22; Reflex 19; Will 20
Saving Throws +5, Action Points 2, Speed 8; fly 6 (clumsy); overland flight 12
Resist 10 acid
{table=head]TRAITS
Action Recovery
Whenever the dragon ends its turn, any dazing, stunning, or dominating effect on it ends.
Instinctive Action
The dragon can use a free action to charge or use bite on an initiative of its initiative check + 10. If the dragon cannot use a free action on this initiative count due to a dominating or stunning effect, then that effect ends instead of the dragon making its attack.
Terrifying Presence (fear) ✦ Aura 5
Enemies in the aura take a -2 penalty to saving throws.
Weakening Acid (acid)
Whenever an enemy takes ongoing acid damage from one of the dragon's effects, if the dragon is bloodied, that enemy is weakened until the end of its turn.
[/table]
{table=head]STANDARD ACTIONS
Acid Breath (acid) ✦ Recharge [5] [6]
Attack: Close blast 5 (enemies in blast) +9 vs. Fortitude
Hit: 2d10 + 3 acid damage, and the target takes ongoing 5 acid damage and a -4 penalty to all defenses (save ends both).
Miss: Half damage.
Bite (acid) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Basic Melee 2 (one creature) +11 vs. AC
Hit: 2d8 + 5 damage, and takes ongoing 5 acid damage (save ends).
Miss: 5 acid damage.
Claw ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 2 (one creature) +11 vs. AC. The dragon makes this attack twice, either twice against the same creature or one attack against two different creatures.
Hit: 2d6 damage, and the target is immobilized and takes ongoing 5 damage (save ends both).
Horrifying Roar (fear) ✦ Recharge [6]
Attack: Close burst 5 (enemies in burst) +9 vs. Will
Hit: The target is dazed (save ends) and automatically fails one saving throw of its choice on its next turn.
Effect: The dragon pushes the target 2 squares, and the target is deafened until the end of its next turn.
[/table]
{table=head]TRIGGERED ACTIONS
Tail Lash ✦ At-Will
Trigger: An enemy misses the dragon with a melee attack.
Attack (Opportunity Action): Melee 3 (triggering enemy) +9 vs. Reflex
Hit: 1d12 + 4 damage, and each enemy adjacent to the target takes 5 damage.
Bloodied Breath ✦ Encounter
Trigger: The dragon is first bloodied.
Effect (Free Action): Acid breath recharges, and the dragon uses it.
[/table]
Skills Arcana +9, Intimidate +8
{table=head]Ability|Score|Modifier|Modifier + 1/2 Level
Strength|
20|
+5|
+7
Constitution|
17|
+3|
+5
Dexterity|
15|
+2|
+4
Intelligence|
14|
+2|
+4
Wisdom|
16|
+3|
+5
Charisma|
13|
+1|
+3
[/table]
Young Purple Dragon
(Level 6 Solo Controller) 1,250 XP
Large natural magical beast (dragon)
Initiative +5
Senses Perception +5; Darkvision
HP 204; Bloodied 102
AC 20; Fortitude 19; Reflex 20; Will 23
Saving Throws +5, Action Points 2, Speed 7; fly 7 (clumsy); overland flight 14
Resist 10 psychic
{table=head]TRAITS
Action Recovery
Whenever the dragon ends its turn, any dazing, stunning, or dominating effect on it ends.
Harmed by Sunlight
If the dragon begins its turn in direct sunlight, it only take a standard action, a move action, or a minor action on its turn. If the dragon ends its turn in direct sunlight, it takes 51 damage.
Instinctive Action
The dragon can use a free action to charge or use bite on an initiative of its initiative check + 10. If the dragon cannot use a free action on this initiative count due to a dominating or stunning effect, then that effect ends instead of the dragon making its attack.
Instinctive Command
When the dragon is bloodied and charges or uses bite as part of instinctive action, as a free action the dragon can choose to have any creatures dominated by the dragon charge or use an at-will basic attack against a target of the dragon's choosing.
Mental Backlash
Whenever an enemy hits the dragon with an attack against the dragon's Will defense, the enemy is dazed until the end of its next turn.
[/table]
{table=head]STANDARD ACTIONS
Bite (psychic) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Basic Melee 2 (one creature) +11 vs. AC
Hit: 2d10 + 4 damage, and takes ongoing 5 psychic damage (save ends).
Miss: 5 psychic damage.
Claw ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 2 (one creature) +11 vs. AC. The dragon makes this attack twice, either twice against the same creature or one attack against two different creatures.
Hit: 2d8 + 5 damage.
Mesmerizing Breath (psychic) ✦ Recharge [5] [6]
Attack: Close blast 5 (enemies in blast) +10 vs. Fortitude
Hit: 3d6 + 4 psychic damage, and the target takes ongoing 5 psychic damage and is dazed (save ends both). Whenever the target fails a saving throw against this effect, the dragon can slide the target 3 squares.
Miss: Half damage.
Mind Burst (psychic) ✦ Recharge [6]
Attack: Close burst 5 (enemies in blast) +10 vs. Will
Hit: 1d6 psychic damage, and the target is stunned until the end of the dragon's next turn.
Effect: The target takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls (save ends). The target cannot save against this effect while stunned or dazed.
[/table]
{table=head]MINOR ACTIONS
Dominating Gaze (charm, gaze) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Ranged 10 (one dazed or stunned creature) +10 vs. Will
Hit: The target is dominated until the end of the dragon's next turn. The dragon can dominate only one creature with dominating gaze at a time.
[/table]
{table=head]TRIGGERED ACTIONS
Mood Whiplash ✦ At-Will
Trigger: An enemy hits or misses the dragon with a burst or blast attack.
Effect (Immediate Reaction): Each enemy in the burst or blast takes 5 psychic damage.
Bloodied Breath ✦ Encounter
Trigger: The dragon is first bloodied.
Effect (Free Action): Mesmerizing breath recharges, and the dragon uses it.
[/table]
Skills Bluff +13, Diplomacy +13, Intimidate +13, Dungeoneering +10, Insight +10
{table=head]Ability|Score|Modifier|Modifier + 1/2 Level
Strength|
12|
+1|
+4
Constitution|
12|
+1|
+4
Dexterity|
15|
+2|
+5
Intelligence|
13|
+1|
+4
Wisdom|
14|
+2|
+5
Charisma|
20|
+5|
+8
[/table]
The upcoming Monster Vault promises to correct this issue, and the preview of the Young Black Dragon shows that heroic tier solos will make a comeback, and in the form of classic monsters such as chromatic dragons. However, I expect that only the dragons present in the original MM will be updated to the new standards. So, for fun, I've decided to attempt to update the three young chromatic dragons from the Draconomicon 1 to the new 3rd generation monster standard.
Feedback is appreciated, and frankly feel free to use such monsters and ideas in your games.
Young Brown Dragon
(Level 3 Solo Lurker) 750 XP
Large natural magical beast (dragon)
Initiative +6
Senses Perception +3; Darkvision; Tremorsense 10
HP 138; Bloodied 69
AC 17; Fortitude 19; Reflex 16; Will 17
Saving Throws +5, Action Points 2, Speed 8; burrow 8; fly 6 (clumsy); overland flight 12
Resist 10 fire
{table=head]TRAITS
Action Recovery
Whenever the dragon ends its turn, any dazing, stunning, or dominating effect on it ends.
Desert Winds
At the start of the dragon's turn, if the dragon is bloodied, it can slide each enemy adjacent to it or any of its zones (those created by desert twister or sand breath) 1 square.
Dune Lurker
The dragon has a +2 bonus to attack rolls against enemies it has concealment or total concealment against.
Instinctive Action
The dragon can use a free action to charge or use bite on an initiative of its initiative check + 10. If the dragon cannot use a free action on this initiative count due to a dominating or stunning effect, then that effect ends instead of the dragon making its attack.
[/table]
{table=head]STANDARD ACTIONS
Bite ✦ At-Will
Attack: Basic Melee 2 (one creature) +9 vs. AC
Hit: 2d6 + 6 damage, and all creatures have concealment against the target (save ends).
Miss: 5 damage.
Claw ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 2 (one creature) +9 vs. AC. The dragon makes this attack twice, either twice against the same creature or one attack against two different creatures.
Hit: 1d10 + 4 damage.
Sand Breath (zone) ✦ Recharge [5] [6]
Attack: Close blast 5 (enemies in blast) +6 vs. Fortitude
Hit: 2d6 + 2 damage.
Miss: Half damage.
Effect: The blast creates a zone of swirling sand that lasts until the end of the dragon's next turn. Any creature that moves into the zone or begins its turn in the zone takes 5 damage. The zone blocks line of sight for creatures other than the dragon.
[/table]
{table=head]MINOR ACTIONS
Desert Twister (zone) ✦ Encounter
Effect: Area burst 1 within 10 squares; the dragon summons a twister in the burst which lasts until the end of the encounter. Any creature that begins its turn in the zone takes 5 damage and is slowed until the end of its next turn. Whenever the dragon uses bite or charges as part of instinctive action, it can move the zone up to 6 squares as a free action.
[/table]
{table=head]MOVE ACTIONS
Sand Cloud (polymorph) ✦ Recharge [6]
Effect: The dragon transforms into a cloud of sand and shifts up to its speed. It can move through occupied squares but must end its move in an unoccupied space. Any creature whose space the dragon enters takes 1d6 + 4 damage and is blinded (save ends). The dragon returns to its normal form at the end of this move.
[/table]
{table=head]TRIGGERED ACTIONS
Sand Spray ✦ At-Will
Trigger: An enemy hits or misses the dragon with a ranged attack.
Attack (Opportunity Action): Ranged 20 (triggering enemy) +6 vs. Reflex
Hit: 1d6 + 2 damage, and the target is blinded until the end of its next turn.
Bloodied Breath ✦ Encounter
Trigger: The dragon is first bloodied.
Effect (Free Action): Sand breath recharges, and the dragon uses it.
[/table]
Skills Endurance +8, Stealth +7
{table=head]Ability|Score|Modifier|Modifier + 1/2 Level
Strength|
19|
+4|
+5
Constitution|
14|
+2|
+3
Dexterity|
12|
+1|
+2
Intelligence|
12|
+1|
+2
Wisdom|
14|
+2|
+3
Charisma|
10|
+0|
+1
[/table]
Young Gray Dragon
(Level 5 Solo Soldier) 1,000 XP
Large natural magical beast (dragon)
Initiative +6
Senses Perception +10; Darkvision
HP 195; Bloodied 97
AC 21; Fortitude 22; Reflex 19; Will 20
Saving Throws +5, Action Points 2, Speed 8; fly 6 (clumsy); overland flight 12
Resist 10 acid
{table=head]TRAITS
Action Recovery
Whenever the dragon ends its turn, any dazing, stunning, or dominating effect on it ends.
Instinctive Action
The dragon can use a free action to charge or use bite on an initiative of its initiative check + 10. If the dragon cannot use a free action on this initiative count due to a dominating or stunning effect, then that effect ends instead of the dragon making its attack.
Terrifying Presence (fear) ✦ Aura 5
Enemies in the aura take a -2 penalty to saving throws.
Weakening Acid (acid)
Whenever an enemy takes ongoing acid damage from one of the dragon's effects, if the dragon is bloodied, that enemy is weakened until the end of its turn.
[/table]
{table=head]STANDARD ACTIONS
Acid Breath (acid) ✦ Recharge [5] [6]
Attack: Close blast 5 (enemies in blast) +9 vs. Fortitude
Hit: 2d10 + 3 acid damage, and the target takes ongoing 5 acid damage and a -4 penalty to all defenses (save ends both).
Miss: Half damage.
Bite (acid) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Basic Melee 2 (one creature) +11 vs. AC
Hit: 2d8 + 5 damage, and takes ongoing 5 acid damage (save ends).
Miss: 5 acid damage.
Claw ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 2 (one creature) +11 vs. AC. The dragon makes this attack twice, either twice against the same creature or one attack against two different creatures.
Hit: 2d6 damage, and the target is immobilized and takes ongoing 5 damage (save ends both).
Horrifying Roar (fear) ✦ Recharge [6]
Attack: Close burst 5 (enemies in burst) +9 vs. Will
Hit: The target is dazed (save ends) and automatically fails one saving throw of its choice on its next turn.
Effect: The dragon pushes the target 2 squares, and the target is deafened until the end of its next turn.
[/table]
{table=head]TRIGGERED ACTIONS
Tail Lash ✦ At-Will
Trigger: An enemy misses the dragon with a melee attack.
Attack (Opportunity Action): Melee 3 (triggering enemy) +9 vs. Reflex
Hit: 1d12 + 4 damage, and each enemy adjacent to the target takes 5 damage.
Bloodied Breath ✦ Encounter
Trigger: The dragon is first bloodied.
Effect (Free Action): Acid breath recharges, and the dragon uses it.
[/table]
Skills Arcana +9, Intimidate +8
{table=head]Ability|Score|Modifier|Modifier + 1/2 Level
Strength|
20|
+5|
+7
Constitution|
17|
+3|
+5
Dexterity|
15|
+2|
+4
Intelligence|
14|
+2|
+4
Wisdom|
16|
+3|
+5
Charisma|
13|
+1|
+3
[/table]
Young Purple Dragon
(Level 6 Solo Controller) 1,250 XP
Large natural magical beast (dragon)
Initiative +5
Senses Perception +5; Darkvision
HP 204; Bloodied 102
AC 20; Fortitude 19; Reflex 20; Will 23
Saving Throws +5, Action Points 2, Speed 7; fly 7 (clumsy); overland flight 14
Resist 10 psychic
{table=head]TRAITS
Action Recovery
Whenever the dragon ends its turn, any dazing, stunning, or dominating effect on it ends.
Harmed by Sunlight
If the dragon begins its turn in direct sunlight, it only take a standard action, a move action, or a minor action on its turn. If the dragon ends its turn in direct sunlight, it takes 51 damage.
Instinctive Action
The dragon can use a free action to charge or use bite on an initiative of its initiative check + 10. If the dragon cannot use a free action on this initiative count due to a dominating or stunning effect, then that effect ends instead of the dragon making its attack.
Instinctive Command
When the dragon is bloodied and charges or uses bite as part of instinctive action, as a free action the dragon can choose to have any creatures dominated by the dragon charge or use an at-will basic attack against a target of the dragon's choosing.
Mental Backlash
Whenever an enemy hits the dragon with an attack against the dragon's Will defense, the enemy is dazed until the end of its next turn.
[/table]
{table=head]STANDARD ACTIONS
Bite (psychic) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Basic Melee 2 (one creature) +11 vs. AC
Hit: 2d10 + 4 damage, and takes ongoing 5 psychic damage (save ends).
Miss: 5 psychic damage.
Claw ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 2 (one creature) +11 vs. AC. The dragon makes this attack twice, either twice against the same creature or one attack against two different creatures.
Hit: 2d8 + 5 damage.
Mesmerizing Breath (psychic) ✦ Recharge [5] [6]
Attack: Close blast 5 (enemies in blast) +10 vs. Fortitude
Hit: 3d6 + 4 psychic damage, and the target takes ongoing 5 psychic damage and is dazed (save ends both). Whenever the target fails a saving throw against this effect, the dragon can slide the target 3 squares.
Miss: Half damage.
Mind Burst (psychic) ✦ Recharge [6]
Attack: Close burst 5 (enemies in blast) +10 vs. Will
Hit: 1d6 psychic damage, and the target is stunned until the end of the dragon's next turn.
Effect: The target takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls (save ends). The target cannot save against this effect while stunned or dazed.
[/table]
{table=head]MINOR ACTIONS
Dominating Gaze (charm, gaze) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Ranged 10 (one dazed or stunned creature) +10 vs. Will
Hit: The target is dominated until the end of the dragon's next turn. The dragon can dominate only one creature with dominating gaze at a time.
[/table]
{table=head]TRIGGERED ACTIONS
Mood Whiplash ✦ At-Will
Trigger: An enemy hits or misses the dragon with a burst or blast attack.
Effect (Immediate Reaction): Each enemy in the burst or blast takes 5 psychic damage.
Bloodied Breath ✦ Encounter
Trigger: The dragon is first bloodied.
Effect (Free Action): Mesmerizing breath recharges, and the dragon uses it.
[/table]
Skills Bluff +13, Diplomacy +13, Intimidate +13, Dungeoneering +10, Insight +10
{table=head]Ability|Score|Modifier|Modifier + 1/2 Level
Strength|
12|
+1|
+4
Constitution|
12|
+1|
+4
Dexterity|
15|
+2|
+5
Intelligence|
13|
+1|
+4
Wisdom|
14|
+2|
+5
Charisma|
20|
+5|
+8
[/table]