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  1. - Top - End - #271
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    Heads up, I'm posting the update tomorrow instead of today.
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  2. - Top - End - #272
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    Quick thing I noticed while looking through the update doc yesterday: it changes the corollax's DR from 5/silver to 5/cold iron.

  3. - Top - End - #273
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    Cloud Ray

    Cloud Rays! I do not know why, but all fiction seems to love the idea of flying sea creatures. I guess it might be because sea creatures already move in three dimensions, and so it is easier to imagine them doing so, but it still seems weird. For you KotOR fans out there, this creature seems superficially similar to the Brith of Dantooine.

    Anyway, Cloud Rays are described as majestic creatures that soar through the air. They don't actually fly, though, instead propelling themselves forward as they magically levitate. It resembles a (you guessed it) colossal flying manta ray. Its tail, called a zip, is covered in spikes, and its wings have thick muscle tissue.

    With the exception of dragons, it has no natural predators. They eat Rocs, hippogriffs, griffons, and all sorts of large air creatures. Oddly, sometimes they land on the ground to consume human settlements. This seems like a rather ham-fisted way of shoehorning them into possible adventure hooks. Why on earth would this creature make itself more vulnerable by landing? Its not even like it can move once landed....

    This creature swallows its natural prey whole, which makes sense for a manta-ray like creature. It also has a pretty cool ability to deactivate its levitation at will, allowing it to descend 500 ft. freely per round. Now I can see how human hunting could be a viable option; crush 'em, eat 'em, and levitate back in the air in the same round. The tactic would take a while, though...

    It also has a supernatural ability that functions like a permanent protection from arrows spell, which could be helpful.

    Challenge Rating: Currently, it is listed as a 16. This could be reasonable, seeing how it has 30 HD and relatively minor abilities. It comes out to be CR 22. It should be noted, however, that this probably is not correct. Tribble's calculator does start to break down when a lot of hit points are involved; according to the calculator, the Tarrasque is CR 30 based o its hp total alone. This shows that even the best system has its flaws... still, if you want to play it on the safe side, call it CR 18.

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    435 divided by 7 (30 HD): 62,1 (about 62)
    Armor Class: 8 (-0)
    Special Attacks: Swallow whole (+1)
    Special Qualities: darkvision 60 ft, levitation, low-light vision, protection from arrows, telekinesis (+3)
    Bonus Feats: It actually requires many more feats than it has (+0)
    66 divided by 3: 22
    End Result: CR 22 monster
    Last edited by LOTRfan; 2011-06-10 at 08:16 PM.
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  4. - Top - End - #274
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    Sweet.

    ...Now I wanna use one of those and have it be suicide-bombing a city.

  5. - Top - End - #275
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    I thought the cloud ray was some type of airborne laser.
    Last edited by Lemonus; 2011-06-10 at 01:50 PM.
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  6. - Top - End - #276
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    Wow, that was a fast reply. Yeah, they're pretty decent monsters.
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  7. - Top - End - #277
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    They would be a good alternative to half-dragon whales for flying mounts used for transporting goods. Kinda hard to tame though...
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  8. - Top - End - #278
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    This is pretty cool. And...it seems my favourite monster is in the MMII!
    Specifically...the Ixitxachitl.
    I have probably the only character in history to have a sworn grudge against the things...
    Last edited by The Bushranger; 2011-06-07 at 09:06 PM.

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  9. - Top - End - #279
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    Quote Originally Posted by The Bushranger View Post
    This is pretty cool. And...it seems my favourite monster is in the MMII!
    Specifically...the Ixitxachitl.
    I have probably the only character in history to have a sworn grudge against the things...
    Aren't those things the ones that can't move?

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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    Evil vampire stingrays!
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  11. - Top - End - #281
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    They are the favored children of Demogorgon! I love them!
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    Vibranium: If it was on the periodic table, its chemical symbol would be "Bs".

  12. - Top - End - #282
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    personally i cant see the cloud ray at cr 16
    it has no sr or spell immunities its slow and not very maneuverable and its ac is terrible 8?!
    a guy with a wounding weapon could rip this thing apart with no sweat.
    protection from arrows is basically useless at this level all this thing has going for it is hit dice.
    Last edited by awa; 2011-06-07 at 10:43 PM.

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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    Hmm, Tribble's system cuts out at 25HD.

    At that point HD doesn't really make as much of a difference...

    What about after 25HD divide it by an extra .5 per HD instead of every 5? (as every other puts this at 21 still, but might work better in general)


    That would put the cloud Ray at: ~17. Seems more accurate to me.
    Spoiler
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    435 divided by 9: 48.333 (about 48)
    Armor Class: 8 (-0)
    Special Attacks: Swallow whole (+1)
    Special Qualities: darkvision 60 ft, levitation, low-light vision, protection from arrows, telekinesis (+3)
    Bonus Feats: It actually requires many more feats than it has (+0)
    52 divided by 3: 17.33 etc...
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  14. - Top - End - #284
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    Just wanted to say thanks for doing this, It makes for a really fun read.
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    Hope you don't mind I keep doing this, if not I'll stop ^^
    But here's the missing feats of the Cloud Ray: Alerntess, Cleave, Dodge, Flyby Attack, Great Cleave, Hover, Improved Initiative, Mobility, Power Attack, Snatch, Wingover.

  16. - Top - End - #286
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    I'm glad you like it, Furmonger.

    An MosAnted, dn't be silly. It's always nice to have another person helping out.

    Unfortunately, there will be no update on Monday. Remember how I said before I was having family issues? Well, Monday is my grandmother's funeral. Posting will be erratic and even more unpredictable, at best.
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    Quote Originally Posted by LOTRfan View Post
    Unfortunately, there will be no update on Monday. Remember how I said before I was having family issues? Well, Monday is my grandmother's funeral. Posting will be erratic and even more unpredictable, at best.
    For what it's worth, we here on the other end of NineThePuma (Ie, my, myself, and I) are sorry for your loss.

  18. - Top - End - #288
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    Quote Originally Posted by LOTRfan View Post
    I'm glad you like it, Furmonger.

    An MosAnted, dn't be silly. It's always nice to have another person helping out.

    Unfortunately, there will be no update on Monday. Remember how I said before I was having family issues? Well, Monday is my grandmother's funeral. Posting will be erratic and even more unpredictable, at best.
    Glad you approve!

    And damn! You too? I'm sorry for your loss . Best wishes to you and your family.

  19. - Top - End - #289
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    My condolences.

    I hope her life was long and wonderful.
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    My condolences as well.
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  21. - Top - End - #291
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    Quote Originally Posted by LOTRfan View Post
    Its tail, called a zip, is covered in tails,
    This thing's so metal that its tail has tails! Even a bear riding a bear when summoning bears only has one tail!
    Last edited by No brains; 2011-06-10 at 06:39 PM.
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    But as we've agreed, sometimes the real power was the friends we made along the way, including the DM. I wish I could go on more articulate rants about how I'm grateful for DMs putting in the effort on a hard job even when it isn't perfect.

  22. - Top - End - #292
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    Quote Originally Posted by LOTRfan View Post
    Unfortunately, there will be no update on Monday. Remember how I said before I was having family issues? Well, Monday is my grandmother's funeral. Posting will be erratic and even more unpredictable, at best.


    My condolences as well, LOTRfan.

  23. - Top - End - #293
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    Thanks, guys.

    I also fixed the tail thing, No brains.
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  24. - Top - End - #294
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    Aw, it doesn't have hundreds of tails? How will I feed my bears?

    P.S. I hope the funeral goes pleasantly. My grandfather's death was the only blow that made me miss a day of college. I also had the unexpected burden of delivering the eulogy because my dad was out getting drunk (not because he was particularly sad, because he's a jack orc). They said I was a good speaker for it though.
    Quote Originally Posted by No brains View Post
    But as we've agreed, sometimes the real power was the friends we made along the way, including the DM. I wish I could go on more articulate rants about how I'm grateful for DMs putting in the effort on a hard job even when it isn't perfect.

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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    I found the Spelljammer Monstrous Compendium, it has copper, silver, gold, electrum, platinum, and Adamant clockwork horrors.

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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    Quote Originally Posted by LOTRfan View Post
    Bonus Monster: That Damn Crab
    20 divided by 3: 6.66 (about 7)
    End Result: CR 7 monster
    Specifically, the Damned Crab has a CR value of 6.66; 666, we were doomed from the start.
    Last edited by Amiel; 2011-06-14 at 05:08 AM.
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    Quote Originally Posted by Amiel View Post
    Specifically, the Damned Crab has a CR value of 6.66; 666, we were doomed from the start.
    If you think that's bad on its own, rereading of the grapple; improved grab; constrict; and powerful claws abilities might actually let it do its claw damage three times a turn!
    Quote Originally Posted by No brains View Post
    But as we've agreed, sometimes the real power was the friends we made along the way, including the DM. I wish I could go on more articulate rants about how I'm grateful for DMs putting in the effort on a hard job even when it isn't perfect.

  28. - Top - End - #298
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    Corollax

    Corollaxes are pesky little critters that inhabit subtropical rain forests. They are social animals, living in massive nests in many trees, with each nest containing up to twenty members! Apparently, they are rather friendly, as well. If you scare them, though, you'll end up waking up several moments later blinded with a bad headache.

    See, Corollaxes have this "nifty" little ability to fire magical beams of light at their enemies, which stuns, blinds, and knocks out enemies (all at the same time!). Not exactly the cool exotic pet you wanted, huh? There is also some minor sexual dimorphism within the species; males (pictured above) tend to be reddish orange, while females are brown or gray.

    Training a Corollax: We just established that these little buggers can knock a full grown man unconscious. Why on earth would they be wanted as pets? They do have one useful ability, though; By succeeding on a DC 23 Handle Animal check, you can teach the parrot-like creature up to nine phrases (each new phrase requires a new check, however).

    Corollaxes as Compaions: It seems that behaviorally, these things are a lot more like cats than birds; they constantly demand attention, and leave you if you don't feed them enough. At the same time, though, they are extremely loyal, and will never leave their owner for any reason other than the ones stated above. I fact, once you train them the first time, you get a +2 bonus to all Handle Animal checks concerning that bird.

    Challenge Rating? It is currently listed as 1/2. This makes sense, I guess. It has 1 HD, and its single special attack is the equivalent of a 1st level wizard spell. Seems alright, no? But wait: It has Damage Reduction and Spell Resistance, as well! This thing probably won't kill your first level characters, but it can result in a Total Party Knockout! Be careful with this critter...

    Spoiler
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    5 divided by 4.5 (1 HD): 1.111 (about 1)
    Armor Class: 17 (+1)
    Special Attacks: Color Spray (+1)
    Special Qualities: Damage Reduction 5/Cold Iron, Spell Resistance 12, Darkvision 60 ft., Lowlight vision (+2)
    Bonus Feats: None (+0)
    5 divided by 3: 1.66 (about 2)
    End Result: On the low end of CR 2.


    Corpse Gatherer

    So, we finally come across to another undead! And its not evil, for once! It is listed instead as "usually neutral," but reading it now, its pretty disturbing.... see, it gathers corpses (oh my god, what a surprise, right!?). It won't bother humanoids, but it will desecrate graveyards for new bodies, while also traveling to battlefields to collect the dead. Honestly, this is sort of boring to me, though. Why do you ask? Well, I was just reading the Monster Manual III, and do you know what is in there?

    This is the Cadaver Collector. See the subtle difference, there?

    To be fair, the fluff is a little different. At least they have different powers... But seriously? Come up with more unique monsters, WotC! Or at least better monster names....

    Back to business, though, the Corpse Gatherer is composed of many bodies and gravestones. It is believed that if you bury an undead creature "alive," its negative energy will eventually flow into the surrounding tombs, creating a corpse gatherer. Some corpse gatherers do not care if they slaughter humanoids to make themselves bigger, though. These creatures actually consume the very souls of these creatures, entrapping them within. The only way to raise these poor people is to slaughter the undead creature before casting the proper spell.

    If you want to be a cruel DM, you could have this creature as a boss monster for a lower ECL party. As soon as they kill it, the negative energy animating it flows into all the corpses it has gathered, animating as many zombies as the corpse collector had HD. So, your level 12ish party works hard to defeat this creature, only to have it reanimate as 30 separate zombies! Granted, its only a CR 8 encounter, but still!

    Challenge Rating: Okay, it is currently listed as 19. Honestly, with its sucky AC and not so good HP, this thing won't last very long. And at ECL 19, a CR 8 horde of zombies is nothing more than a speed bump, no?

    Spoiler
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    255 divided by 7 (30 HD): 36.42 (about 36)
    Armor Class: 12 (+0)
    Special Attacks: Improved Grab, Ingest Corpses, Swallow Whole (+3)
    Special Qualities: Damage Reduction 15/Magic and Bludgeoning, Spell Resistance 30, zombie-spawn, soul-binding, desanctifying aura, undead traits (+8)
    Bonus Feats: None
    47 divided by 3: 15.666
    End Result: Weak side of CR 16
    Last edited by LOTRfan; 2011-06-20 at 06:16 PM.
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  29. - Top - End - #299
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    Quote Originally Posted by LOTRfan View Post
    [SIZE="5"] Honestly, this is sort of boring to me, though. Why do you ask? Well, I was just reading the Monster Manual II, and do you know what is in there?
    Well I would hope so, that is what the thread is about.

    Hmm, total party knockout though... I imagine that causing some trouble if you're fighting something intelligent at the same time. Seems like a good way to lead the party into their death pretty easily. Well at low levels at least.
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    Default Re: That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

    This is why I should not be allowed to type quickly. I meant Monster Manual III. I corrected it already, though...
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