Persuasions of the 13th Kind: Converting D&D 4E to 13th Age: November 2012

Monday, November 26, 2012

Monsterize Me! Themes, Templates, and Mass Combat (4E, Ars Magica)

Themes

Themes allow you to group different monsters under one collective theme that's appropriate to the scenario. Highlighted in Dungeon Master's Guide 2, these are very interesting toys to play with as they add story elements on top of tactical elements to the game; after all, there should be a better in-story reason for having X Archers, Y Blockers, and a couple of Mooks all under the banner of a Leader than just tactical considerations, right?

In utilizing themes, you show how outside influences change your creatures' habits as well as abilities, so even if you have wildly different creatures stat-wise, their common theme makes explaining their existence not only in the area but in the campaign itself much easier. It's particularly useful if you're the type who tends to roll on random monster tables but want to make sure that there's a logical explanation for a goblin, a dragon, and an owlbear being in the same encounter, on the same side.

With that, I give you this sample theme:

Goblin Allies

For more details on the story behind this theme, see Dungeon Master's Guide 2 for 4th Edition, pages 110-111. The gist of it is that living among the goblin races for years does allow you to pick up a thing or two from these creatures. Devils, wolves, drakes, etc. can be in contact with certain goblin tribes for long periods of time, and sometimes bear the same symbols and markings as that of the goblin tribe, and work together -- through fear, loyalty or both towards yet another victory for the tribe (although devils may either resent being marked -- having them marked at all may mean that the tribe's shaman is VERY powerful -- or accept the marking a bit too willingly (which might mean that the devil's manipulating the goblins instead of the other way around). Adding particular in-story conflicts between the various related factions that the more ingenious PCs could take advantage of would be a neat addition; for instance, having the hobgoblins and bugbears fight each other so that the mother owlbear that was being held captive (which forced her children to fight for them) could be freed and allowed to wreak havoc on the goblin tribe would certainly help spice up a campaign, especially one that uses themes.

Feel free to add one utility and one attack power from the list below to the monsters in a campaign:

Attack Powers

Give Yourself To The Tribe! Standard Action vs. one nearby mook who is engaged to at least one enemy. Effect: that mook makes a melee attack against one enemy he's engaged to (commanding creature's choice) and is reduced to zero hit points. In addition to taking damage on a hit, that enemy is dazed until the end of his next turn.
Blindside The Enemy Quick Action 1/battle. Add 3 damage per level to your next melee attack this turn, provided that he's engaged with one of your allies (1 damage per level if you're a mook).
Protect Me You Fool! Free Action 1/round. Whenever you fail to disengage and an opportunity attack misses you, shout the name of this power at an ally that's engaged with you. That ally can make an attack against the enemy that attempted an opportunity attack against you (even if he is normally out of reach) as a reaction.
Protect the Tribe! Reaction. Whenever an ally you're engaged with fails to disengage from a nearby opponent and the resulting opportunity attack misses, make an attack against that enemy even if he's normally out of reach.
Follow My Lead, You Useless Rabble! Trait. Adds 3 damage to the attacks of all nearby allies (1 damage if they're mooks) whenever two or more of them are engaged to an enemy.

Utility Powers

Group Morale Trait. Gain +4 to hit while your faction has more creatures than any other faction in battle. If you are the only member of your faction left in battle (or the GM determines that your faction is clearly losing), you are weakened.
Goblin Cunning Trait. Gain +5 to disengage checks (just like goblins, you only need to roll a 6+ to disengage)
Goblin Phalanx Trait. Gain the Group tactics trait found in the Hobgoblin Captain and Hobgoblin Warrior entry. For purposes of this trait (and the associated Well-Armored group power), you are treated as a Hobgoblin
Rally To Me! Quick Action 1/battle. Each nearby ally gains temporary hit points equal to 3 + their level. Double this value at champion tier. Triple this value at epic tier.

Templates

Sometimes you just want to throw a PC-like opponent at the group, and may be tempted to build an entire PC out of the existing rules to do so. While there is nothing wrong with that approach -- in fact, I may actually recommend the said approach to those GMs if they want to -- some GMs may find that it can easily become a tiring task due to the number of abilities as well as talents and feats that PCs have, and more often most of those abilities won't even see the day of light if those monsters die too quickly. Finally, it's one thing for five players to sift through 3+ options at a time, while it's another thing for one player (the GM) to sift through 12+ options at a time (and this is counting only selectable talents, not even powers or feats or what not).

The simplest solution, if you want to evoke the feel of a class without actually going through the mechanics over and over again, is the use of a template. There's already a default template anyway (the universal monster table), so it's just a matter of adding the "toppings" that would make a monster feel like a PC without actually having to make a PC. And it's not as hard as you might think: mooks don't really need much highlight anyway, so give them either 2 talents, or 1 talent + 1 power, in addition to their basic attack. Most opponents will be fine with 2 talents + 1 power, or 1 talent + 2 powers, although if they're really important, feel free to throw in 3 talents + 3 powers as well as the Escalation trait (which will allow them to benefit from the Escalation die, just like any PC would). This is in addition to whatever racial powers a PC would get by the way.

So a sample level 1 Half-Orc Barbarian Mook:

Half-Orc Barbarian

1st Level Mook (humanoid)

Initiative: +1

Club +6 vs. AC, 4 damage Miss: 1

Barbarian Rage: As a quick action 1/day the barbarian can enter a ferocious rage for an entire battle. Roll 2d20 for attacks; if both attacks are 11+ and one of them hits, the attack is a crit.

Lethal: Once per battle, reroll a melee attack and use the roll you prefer as the result.

AC 17 PD 15 MD 11

HP 7

Mass Combat

Sometimes having five individuals in a party against a group of 20 mooks doesn't feel epic enough. How about five individuals leading thousands of warriors into battle against an army at least twice their size and winning? While role-playing might be able to handle this, some groups prefer to have wargame rules utilized, and this is where I bring in Ars Magica, which already has several similarities with 13th Age anyway -- particularly the freeform nature of some forms of magic (in Ars Magica it's the spontaneous magic, in 13th Age it's the ritual magic). Given how Ars Magica already has mass combat rules -- I know that there's at least one D&D 4E monster that's supposed to work with mass combat as well (aside from Swarm type monsters) just can't seem to find it -- I might as well port that in and make it work with 13th Age.

Basic rules are as follows:

As much as possible, use mooks. They already have a semblance of group combat anyway, might as well take advantage of it.
Group creatures of the same level and the same relative capabilities into one group. Mooks with mooks, large with large, casters with casters, etc.
Assign one member of each group as the Vanguard.
During the group's turn, roll the Vanguard's attack against the opponent's defense. Likewise, whenever the group is attacked, use the Vanguard's defenses.
Whenever the Vanguard hits, deal damage equal to the Vanguard's damage multiplied by the number of members in his group.

For groups that don't consist of mooks, note that the above total represents the combined force's attack, so feel free to deal the Vanguard's damage to each member of the defending group until the total damage is reached; just remember that the Vanguard should take at least as many hits as all his allies, if not more. For example, an enemy deals 9 * 10 = 90 damage against a group consisting of 7 individuals that aren't mooks. In this case, each member of the group takes 9 damage except for the Vanguard, who will take 36 damage (9 * (10 - 6 other members) = 9 * 4 = 36).

If the Vanguard dies or is unable to fight, the group will be forced to separate. Each individual can later on choose to reform the group during their turn, so by the round after that they can work as one again.

The more advanced version of mass combat would involve picking a leader. If the leader is a monster that has a leader role, he can effectively command a number of creatures as a trained group equal to his level. If the leader is a PC that has a background pertaining to leadership, he must make a Charisma check the moment the group is formed; succeeding against a very hard DC lets him command an army that's up to twice times the combined value of his level and his applicable background, otherwise he can command an army that's up to his level plus his applicable background (NOTE: the leader and the vanguard can be one and the same). In either case, if the group is too large, it becomes impossible for them to effectively guide their attacks, reverting to the basic rules of combat as above**.

A trained group has one distinct advantage: during the group's turn, the leader can call for the group to focus on either offense or defense. While on offense, the Vanguard gains a bonus attack and damage equal to the number of members in the group (except for the Vanguard), up to a given limit; for monsters this is +4 at adventurer tier, +5 at champion tier, and +6 at epic tier; while for PCs this limit equals the leader's Charisma modifier + applicable background. While on defense, the same bonuses and limitations apply, but instead of to attack and damage, they apply to all defenses.

So for example, a 16 CHA level 1 Fighter with a +3 military officer background can easily command a group of 6 members (himself included). During his group's turn he can grant himself +5 to hit and damage, or +5 to all defenses (but not both), due to his high Charisma and background bonus -- he is effective at barking orders to make sure that they all work effectively in spite of superior forces. If he already does +4 to hit and 1d8+3 damage (let's average it to 7 damage shall we?), that means he can easily deal 12 * 6 = 72 damage instead of 7 damage to an opposing group (which can easily take out as many as 8 mooks in one go).

If for example let's literally ramp it up to the thousands. The PCs with leader-type backgrounds can make checks to improve the odds of winning, but as every good plan goes out the window when the fighting really starts, all you can do is just divide the thousands of opponents between each PC and then using the basic mass combat rules as mentioned above; either that, or organize the groups so that there'd be a chain of command that'd allow the PCs to coordinate attacks with other groups, allowing maximum bonuses and army-vs.-army realism. Consider also having the opposing team divided into groups as well, to both maintain multi-opponent dynamics*** and to make sure that each player participates in the fight and not just one guy.

** although assigning sub-leaders -- commanding officers, non-commissioned officers, etc. -- might work if you REALLY want to keep (and stack up) the bonuses and invoke more realism in your game.

*** it'd be effective if you had 10,000 mooks gather and fight one group at a time, yes... but it'd be anti-climactic unless you consider allowing the PCs to utilize traps and what not, which would whittle the 10,000 strong in a jiffy. That said, there's a reason why you rarely hear stories about that one guy who solos an entire army of 10,000... although feel free to throw 10,000 level 1 mooks against a cocky level 8+ PC; if he does take out even a third of them by himself before dying, he deserves to be in epic tier.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Fighter Options: Fighter & Knight (4E, Next)

Class Options allow you to add particular classes into 13th Age without the need of extensive reinventing of the wheel, so to speak. Instead of having to make an entirely new class, re-flavoring and adding of a few talents and powers here and there would allow you to faithfully render the class you want, with less effort.

The class featured here is the Fighter (as well as its subclass, the Knight). While it might seem redundant that I write about translating Fighters to Fighters, the fact of the matter is, 4E Fighters have unique class features that none of the 13th Age Fighter talents even try to duplicate, most notably the marking mechanic and its Essentials version, the Defender Aura. Also, D&D Next has been providing some interesting features for the Fighter that are also worth exploring.

Re-Flavoring Suggestions

Allow the Fighter to take the Paladin's Challenge talent as written (rename to Combat Challenge if desired).

New Talents

Combat Superiority

You gain +1 to damage per level with your attacks. At the start of your turn, as a free action you can choose to forfeit this damage bonus until the start of your next turn to gain temporary hit points equal to the damage bonus lost. The temporary hit points disappear at the start of your next turn.

Once per day, as a quick action you can forfeit this damage bonus to allow your next attack during this turn to trigger a Fighting Maneuver, even if you fail to meet the triggering roll.

(Adventurer Feat): You can use the daily ability a second time between extended rests
(Champion Feat): Once per day, you can double the damage increase (or damage reduction) granted by this talent for an entire battle
(Epic Feat): Your daily ability allows you to use two maneuvers simultaneously

Defender Aura

While you are conscious, enemies engaged with you take a –1 attack penalty against your allies.

Once per battle when you're engaged with an enemy affected by your defender aura and it either attacks an ally of yours or willingly disengages/pops free from you, you can make a melee attack dealing half-damage against that enemy as a free action.

(Adventurer Feat): On an even miss with your Defender Aura attack, you deal extra damage to the enemy you attacked equal to your Strength modifier.
(Champion Feat): Once per day you can use Defender Aura's attack for the duration of a battle, but only once per turn.
(Epic Feat): Each nearby enemy takes a -1 attack penalty against your allies, instead of just those engaged with you.

GM Note: If the Fighter runs or teleports away from the enemy after using the ability, feel free to ignore it. The Fighter needs to confront the creatures he engages.

No Escape

You gain a +3 on the "Relentless Harrier" background. Whenever an enemy attempts to disengage or pop free from you, explain how your character maneuvers the enemy in such a way that he cannot actually shake you off (e.g. you knock him prone, physically block his way using your weapon or shield, you psyche him out, etc.), then roll an appropriate ability check as determined by the GM (GM Note: please consider including the Relentless Harrier bonus unless it is really not applicable for that situation). At the very least, a success would force the enemy to stay engaged with you.

(Adventurer Feat): The bonus to the Relentless Harrier background increases to +5
(Champion Feat): A success would also provoke an opportunity attack

Author's Note: The No Escape talent would represent 4E's Combat Superiority + Combat Agility class features.

Steel Rain
Once per day for an entire battle, as long as you can take actions you can deal damage equal to your level as a free action at the start of your turn against each creature engaged with you.
At the end of the battle after using this talent, roll a d20. On a 16+, you can use it again later in the day.

(Adventurer Feat): Once per battle plus a number of times per day equal to your Constitution modifier, you can cause each creature engaged with you to take a -2 penalty to hit and disengage checks for a round as a quick action.
(Champion Feat): Whenever you kill a creature with this talent during a battle, you reduce the needed roll to regain the use of this talent at the end of that same battle by one.
(Epic Feat): Twice per day but only once per round, when you kill a non-mook creature with this talent, your critical range increases by one (first time you use this increases the crit range to 19+).

Cunning Retort
Once per battle, make a check (usually Charisma) against the highest MD among the nearby enemies. On a success each nearby enemy would be dazed until the end of your next turn unless they choose to make a melee attack against you during their turn. If they do make a melee attack against you, make an opportunity attack the moment they engage with you.

(Adventurer Feat): The opportunity attacks made with Cunning Retort gain a +4 to hit.
(Champion Feat): Each enemy that is affected by Cunning Retort take an additional -4 to attack rolls (for a total of -8 with daze) if they choose not to make a melee attack against you.
(Epic Feat): Once per day enemies are weakened instead of dazed by Cunning Retort.

Author's Note: The default assumption is that, just like the classic loudmouthed duelists in movies, you'll be encouraging your enemies to attack you by taunting or bluffing them (hence, Charisma). The situational daze would represent their hesitation to attack anyone other than you once you've got their attention. Epic level warriors would be so daunting -- almost commanding -- that the enemies he taunts would be shaken enough to render themselves vulnerable to attacks and unable to effectively counter-attack unless they man up against the guy that's taunting them.

Pugilism
You treat your punches as if they were Light (1d6) weapons.

(Champion Feat): Whenever you grab an opponent (GM determines how you grab and what effects they would be), any attempts to break free from the grab take an additional penalty equal to your Strength modifier.

GM Note: If you're at a loss regarding "grab rules", here's a suggestion: Standard Action vs. One engaged enemy, Strength vs. PD, Hit: target takes a -2 to disengage checks while engaged with you. "Grab" doesn't necessarily need to be limited to hands -- stepping on someone's feet, or even tackling them would work too -- but for the sake of simplicity I'll be using the term "grab". Also I do not take credit for this suggestion, as this suggestion can be found in the 13th Age main book, so if there's anyone to thank, that'd be Rob Heinsoo and Jonathan Tweet for their remarkable product coming out in 2013.

Players Note: Feel free to do what you want with the enemy you grabbed -- battering ram, projectile, meat shield -- and make it awesome.

New Flexible Attacks

Invigorating Surge

Level 1 Flexible Melee Attack

Triggering Roll: Hit with a 16+

Effect: Gain temporary hit points equal to your Constitution modifier.

(Adventurer Feat): Once per day you can cause the enemy to make a hard save. If he fails his save, roll a 1d4. On a 1, he is dazed, on a 2, everyone is invisible to him (he is blinded), on a 3 he is weakened, and on a 4 he is stunned. These effects last until the end of his next turn.
(Champion Feat): Once per day you can choose to spend a recovery but gain no hit points. Instead, increase the temporary hit points granted by this flexible attack, by an amount equal to your recovery.

Grab n' Bag
Level 3 Flexible Melee Attack
Triggering Roll: Any natural even roll
Special: One of your appendages (usually your hands) should be free to grab
Effect: You can attempt to grab an engaged enemy as a free action.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Ranger Options: Arcane Archer (PF) / Seeker (4E)

Class Options allow you to add particular classes into 13th Age without the need of extensive reinventing of the wheel, so to speak. Instead of having to make an entirely new class, re-flavoring and adding of a few talents and powers here and there would allow you to faithfully render the class you want, with less effort.

The class featured here would actually be two classes: the Arcane Archer, and the Seeker. Heralding from two systems, and with two very different power sources (the former being arcane magic, the latter being primal spirits), they nevertheless occupy the same niche: the use of magic to enhance their projectiles in order to harm their foes. This is why it makes sense that their concepts are justified the most by the classes that specialize in ranged weaponry: Fighter and Ranger. However, because the Ranger already has access to magic in the form of a talent, it only seems "right" that the conversion is primarily dedicated to the Ranger. For those who may feel that the Fighter is very appropriate as a Seeker, there will be re-flavoring options mentioned to help evoke the feel of a throwing Seeker.

NOTE: For new feats, the prerequisite talent will be mentioned before the actual feat.

Re-Flavoring Suggestions
Fighter and Ranger: If the GM is not too keen on the mechanical effects of damage type -- meaning, he rarely (if at all) brings in resistances, vulnerabilities, and terrain/out-of-power effects of damage type (like for instance, fire damage causing flammable material to be set on fire) -- allow the Fighter and Ranger to change the damage type of his attacks to Cold, Fire, and Lightning (add Radiant and Necrotic to the list at level 6).

Fighter: The GM should consider allowing the Fighter to take Woodland Magic (from the Ranger) as a talent, and perhaps trade one of his own maneuvers for a spell of equal or lower level. Also, allow the Fighter to change the description of all his ranged maneuvers to be spells that activate on impact. Finally, Power Attack can be re-flavored to be magical enhancement of attacks.

Spells: all attack spells acquired would be re-flavored as imbuing his arrows with spells

New Talent
Confusing Projectiles
Once per battle when you make an even roll with a ranged attack, each creature engaged with your target pops free.

(Adventurer Feat) When using this talent, each creature engaged with your target takes damage equal to the damage your target took immediately before they pop free.
(Champion Feat) Once per day you can choose to deal no damage to the target and weaken each creature engaged to it immediately before they pop free.
(Epic Feat) Once per day you can cause the target to be confused (save ends), and each creature engaged to the target to be confused during their next turn. If you do so, your attack deals no damage, and the creatures engaged with your target do not pop free.

New Feats
Double Ranged Attack

(Epic Feat) Once per day, you can make one ranged attack against each visible nearby enemy, but you are weakened for a round after that. You cannot attack the same enemy twice with this feat. GM Note: You might want to consider allowing the PC make a single attack roll against all visible enemies instead, but the PC will be stunned instead of weakened (representing the PC frantically trying to get a new quiver out of his pack for an entire round).

First Strike

(Epic Feat) Once per day, when you score a critical hit against a creature with a ranged attack, that creature must make a very hard save or take extra damage equal to half his maximum hit points.

Favored Enemy

(Champion Feat) Once per day, as a quick action you can choose to have your next ranged attack against your favored enemy ignore cover and concealment of all sorts. Rolling a natural 16+ on the attack allows you to retain the use of this feat. At level 8, the attack ignores everything between the you and the target.

Lethal Hunter

(Champion Feat) The first time you hit your chosen enemy, it takes ongoing damage equal to twice your level. This ongoing damage increases to three times your level at level 7.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Monsterize Me! Mimic (4E, PF)

I've been getting a few requests over at Pelgrane Press' forums regarding the conversion of monsters from other systems to 13th Age. While I've already given my guidelines in the thread, I think it's appropriate that I dedicate a portion of my blog to converting monsters as well, using information found in Pelgrane Press' archives and, from time to time, my own creative twist to them.

The monster featured today is the Mimic, the horror that classically takes the form of a treasure chest, which is often the last thing that many an unwary adventurer would see. While I love how the Pathfinder lore states how you could have entire dungeons or houses as Mimics, there are no stats for these larger Mimics so I must make them myself. Meanwhile, the 4E version of the Mimic provides interesting concepts, as it takes the shape shifting Mimic from object-only to creepy town and there's even note of "Mimic Spawn", which further provides some interesting thoughts on what could be done with the Mimic.

My take on the concept is that the Mimic is an ooze-like aberration that eats just about everything, whose size determines age, number of objects and creatures consumed, and how big a threat they are to everything. From the tiny Mimic Spawn that feeds off dungeon mold and ordinary utensils (and the occasional creature's fingers), to the Mimic Complex that quite literally is a type of living dungeon as featured in 13th Age, how big can these monsters get?

NOTE: Not all Living Dungeons are Mimic Complexes, although it is easy to mistake one for the other. Two things differentiate the Mimic Complex from other Living Dungeons; first, Mimic Complexes do not have dungeon hearts. Second, Mimic Complexes tend to take the form of overground cities rather than elaborate dungeons.

If a bunch of houses start turning to slime and then moving in unison, those are probably not a group of Mimic Houses. That's likely a singular Mimic Complex. And the scariest type of Mimic Complex: the Mimic that perfectly copies an entire city, complete with all its people, where many an unwary settler or urbanized animal would not realize that the bartender they meet, the room they stay in, and the bed that eats them, are all just one creature.

Mimic Spawn

Level 0 Tiny or Small Spoiler, Initiative +5

Aberration

Traits

Resist 3 Acid: Magical acid attacks must roll 3 or higher on the attack roll, or deal half damage. Mundane acid has no effect on this creature.

Mimic Shapeshift: The Mimic can change its shape as a quick action once per round. It typically switches between three forms: ooze, object, and animated object. As an ooze it gets a +5 to disengage checks and can move through tiny spaces normally. As an object it gains resistance to natural weapons equal to its level, and is virtually indistinguishable to the original (it tends to take the shape of the last object of the same size as itself), but cannot make any attacks. As an animated object, it has resistance to natural weapons equal to half its level and can attack.

Attacks

Acid Tendrils: +5 vs. PD, ongoing 4 acid damage, Nat 16+ Mimic Spawn heals 2 HP and the target takes 4 ongoing acid damage and suffers a -5 to disengage checks.

'Sticky' Special (if a target fails their disengage check): 4 acid damage and the target is constrained (save ends, hard save ends and target pops free).

Higher Level Special: Delicious Gear

Every time a creature has been hit five consecutive times by any Mimic Spawn, randomly choose an item that the creature has on his person that is small or smaller (perhaps a dagger, perhaps some rope). That item is consumed by the Mimic Spawn, and can take its shape the next time it changes shape into an object.

Stats

AC 16

PD 14

MD 10

HP 20

LORE: At the earliest stages of development, the Mimic Spawn is a juvenile that breaks off from its parent, and is often one of thousands of tiny spawns that are released into the wild. Due to the solitary nature of mimics however, it is unsurprising that as soon as they are released, they begin consuming one another, sometimes with the parent eating its own progeny. Those that survive would begin consuming tiny things and eventually grow bigger and stronger. It is rare for adventurers to see Mimic Spawns shortly after birth, and rarer still are adventurers who live through the experience, as they are often consumed by both Mimic Spawns and the Mimic they spawned from.

Mimic Object

Level 3 Medium Spoiler, Initiative +4

Aberration

Traits

Resist 3 Acid: Magical acid attacks must roll 3 or higher on the attack roll, or deal half damage. Mundane acid has no effect on this creature.

Attacks

Acid Tendrils: +8 vs. PD, ongoing 7 acid damage, Nat 16+ Mimic Object heals 3 HP the target takes 10 ongoing acid damage and the target is constrained (save to escape constrained).
'Engulf and Digest' Special (if the target fails to escape being constrained): 14 damage and the target finds itself trapped inside the Mimic. Until it successfully forces its way out (DC 20) target takes 10 acid damage each round, and the target takes half damage from any attacks made against the mimic from outside.

Higher Level Special: Mimic Reproduction

The first time a creature is wounded by "'Engulf and Digest' Special", 1d10 tiny Mimic Spawns appear nearby, all of which will tend to either eat the nearest creature (even if it is another Mimic Spawn), or run away.

Higher Level Special: Humanoid Mimic

If enough creatures have been consumed by the Mimic, it eventually gains a sort of sentience that allows it to mimic creatures in addition to objects. The Mimic Object can now change shape into any humanoid or beast that it has consumed (killed while trapped inside the Mimic), in addition to the object it can normally change into. It is just as difficult to detect the Mimic Object as a Humanoid, as it retains everything its last victim had -- even its memories and scent.

Stats

AC 19

PD 17

MD 13

HP 45

Mimic House

Level 6 Large Spoiler, Initiative +3

Aberration

Traits

Resist 6 Acid: Magical acid attacks must roll 6 or higher on the attack roll, or deal half damage. Mundane acid has no effect on this creature.

Mimic Shapeshift: The Mimic can change its shape as a quick action once per round. It typically switches between three forms: ooze, object, and animated object. As an ooze it gets a +5 to disengage checks and can move through small spaces normally. As an object it gains resistance to natural weapons equal to its level, and is virtually indistinguishable to the original (it tends to take the shape of the last object of the same size as itself), but cannot make any attacks. As an animated object, it has resistance to natural weapons equal to half its level and can attack.

Attacks

Acid Tendrils: +11 vs. PD, one creature and each creature inside it, ongoing 36 acid damage, Nat 16+ Mimic Object heals 18 HP the target takes 10 ongoing acid damage and the target is constrained (save to escape constrained).
'Engulf and Digest' Special (if the target fails to escape being constrained): 56 damage and the target finds itself trapped inside the Mimic. Until it successfully forces its way out (DC 20) target takes 42 acid damage each round, and the target takes half damage from any attacks made against the mimic from outside.

Higher Level Special: Mimic Furniture

Everything found in the Mimic House is a small part of it. Subtract a number of hit points from the Mimic House equal to the hit points of all the Mimic Spawns and Mimic Objects inside of it. Treat all Mimic Spawns and Mimic Objects as if they were mooks.

Stats

AC 22

PD 20

MD 16

HP 180

LORE: Originally these Mimics merely took the forms of giant boulders or the occasional stone golem, but as humanoids entered the lands where Mimics thrived in, some of the more sentient of these Mimics began not only eating away the individual pieces of furniture, but entire houses as well, occupants and all. Some of these Mimics even took the time and effort to duplicate the residents they consumed, in order to lull unwitting victims into a false sense of security.

Mimic Complex

Level 12 Huge Spoiler, Initiative +2

Aberration

Traits

Resist 9 Acid: Magical acid attacks must roll 9 or higher on the attack roll, or deal half damage. Mundane acid has no effect on this creature.

Mimic Shapeshift: The Mimic can change its shape as a quick action once per round. It typically switches between three forms: ooze, object, and animated object. As an ooze it can automatically pop free and can move through medium spaces normally. As an object it gains resistance to natural weapons equal to its level, and is virtually indistinguishable to the original (it tends to take the shape of the last object of the same size as itself), but cannot make any attacks. As an animated object, it has resistance to natural weapons equal to half its level and can attack.

Attacks

Acid Tendrils: +17 vs. PD, each creature engaged with it and inside it, ongoing 210 acid damage, Nat 16+ Mimic Object heals 105 HP the target takes 270 ongoing acid damage and the target is constrained (save to escape constrained).
'Engulf and Digest' Special (if the target fails to escape being constrained): 330 damage and the target finds itself trapped inside the Mimic. Until it successfully forces its way out (DC 20) target takes 270 acid damage each round, and the target takes half damage from any attacks made against the mimic from outside.

Higher Level Special: Mimic City

Everything found in the Mimic Complex is a small part of it. Subtract a number of hit points from the Mimic House equal to the hit points of all the Mimic Houses inside of it. Treat all Mimic Houses in the Mimic City as if they were mooks.

Stats

AC 28

PD 26

MD 22

HP 1080

LORE: Not much is known about Mimic Complexes other than the rumors of entire cities vanishing in the night, only to reappear miles from where they were at, without a trace of magic being used. That, and rumors of entire forests being cleared as huge blobs of ooze traverse the land.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Monsterize Me! Ancient Red Dragon (4E, PF)

Dragon, Red (Huge Ancient)

level 10 Wrecker, Initiative +9

Traits

Greater Fear Aura (72 HP): Creatures with hit points equal to or lower than the given threshold suffer the Fear condition.
Fire 10 Aura: Creatures engaged with the Red Dragon take 10 Fire damage on their turn
Resist 18 Fire: Magical fire attacks must roll 18+ (no bonuses) to deal full damage. Rolling too low results in half damage. Mundane fire has no effect on the Red Dragon.
Vulnerable Cold: Cold attacks that critically hit the Red Dragon deals quadruple damage instead of double damage.
Dangerous: The Red Dragon's crit range while wounded is 17+.
And Again: A natural 16+ on the attack roll allows the Red Dragon to make an additional attack

Attacks

Claw: +16 vs. AC, 165 (30d10) damage, hit disengages the target

Bite: +15 vs. AC, 210 (6d6 x10) damage

Tail Sweep: Quick action, +14 vs. PD, 75 (15d10) damage, hit disengages the target unless the target chooses to lose its next move action

Furnace Roar: Daily, Quick action, +15 vs. PD, 1d3 nearby creatures or each creature engaged with the Red Dragon, 165 fire damage and ongoing 15 fire damage. Recharges when the dragon makes an even miss with Claw, Bite or Tail Sweep.

Stats

AC 26

PD 23

MD 21

HP 648

ALTERNATIVE ATTACKS

(remove the And Again trait if you choose to use these)

Claw, Claw, Bite
ONE or TWO enemies that are nearby the dragon (due to the size of the dragon it can reach them even if they are not engaged with it).
Claw: +16 vs. AC, 150 damage.
Hit on a Natural 16+ '... Claw' extra 150 damage (total of 300)
Hit on a Natural 18+ '... Bite' extra 200 damage (total of 500!)
Miss
Special (always): A miss causes the target to pop free as it is knocked away by the edge of the dragon's swipe.
Special (odd miss): A natural odd miss causes the dragon to catch you with it's tail. (Tail Sweep: 75 damage and target is either knocked far away if possible or is stunned until the end of the targets next turn).
Special (even miss): A natural even miss enrages the dragon, recharging it's Furnace Roar and allowing it to use it if it has yet to use it this round.
Furnace Roar
Daily, Quick action, +15 vs. PD, 1d3 creatures in a group, 150 fire damage and ongoing 15 fire damage. Recharges when the dragon makes a natural even miss with the Claw/Claw/Bite attack.

- - - - -

Author's Note: With the number of attacks this Red Dragon can already generate, I see little reason for adding stuff like Cleave and Multiattack. In addition, GMs who want a more caster-like Red Dragon can choose spells from the Sorcerer or Wizard class, but I generally assume that these abilities alone can be a bit taxing on the micromanagement and the overall build would make it very difficult (if at all possible) to take on this behemoth.

Fear Aura normally applies to creatures engaged to the one that has the aura, but I'm keen on making this monster a truly epic threat, which is why I'll be bending/breaking the normal rules on the Fear aura and have anyone who is heavily wounded and seeing the majesty of an enraged powerhouse that the Ancient Red Dragon is to seriously, seriously consider running away...

Update: I originally had the Tail Swipe's effect to be "and the target must choose to either remain engaged to the Red Dragon or lose its next move action", but an interesting comment made me consider the revision as found above.

Update: I added Ash Law's suggestion as an alternative for those who want less rolls and faster round resolution. At first I thought of replacing the original attacks, but some groups may actually prefer the longer turn and higher tension from the multi-attacking Ancient Red Dragon, as the And Again trait easily allows this beast to make a lot of attacks. So, I place the two sets side by side, with the decision to use which type of Red Dragon left to the GM running it.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Rogue Options: Gunslinger (Pathfinder)

Class Options allow you to add particular classes into 13th Age without the need of extensive reinventing of the wheel, so to speak. Instead of having to make an entirely new class, re-flavoring and adding of a few talents and powers here and there would allow you to faithfully render the class you want, with less effort.

The class featured here is the Gunslinger, a warrior who utilizes daring and flair while utilizing steel and gunpowder. As they have startling resemblance to the Rogue of 13th Age, it has been determined that re-flavoring Rogues and allowing them to use flintlock and musket with deadly precision would do well to retain the feel and mechanics of the said class.

Re-Flavoring Suggestions
Allow the Rogue to utilize hand crossbows as if they were flintlock pistols, and longbows/crossbows as if they were muskets. If the GM is very particular with ammunition, he may allow the musket to not be penalized to hit or he may allow the musket to deal 1d10 damage instead, but at the cost of having greater difficulty with finding ammunition.
Author Note: For purposes of this document, hand crossbows will be referred to as pistols, longbows/crossbows will be referred to as muskets, and when referring to both pistols and muskets I will use the term "guns".

New Talents
Grit
In addition to the normal methods of gaining Momentum, you can also gain Momentum by taking any actions that can be considered daring by the group, particularly the GM (this daring action may include using a momentum power as part of the action, but only momentum powers). If the action fails for any reason, you can expend a quick action instead of your standard action, but you can't attempt another daring action this turn.

(Champion Feat): Once per day you can choose to roll 2d20s and using either result for an entire battle, but only when taking daring actions.
(Epic Feat): Choose two powers you know. These powers can be considered as Momentum powers for purposes of daring actions.

New Powers

Leap for Cover
[Level 1 At-Will Momentum Power]
Interrupt Action; Requires Momentum
Use when a ranged attack is made against you
You move in any direction away from your current position (attempting to disengage as normal) and gain a +4 to AC and PD against the triggering attack

Covering Shot
[Level 1 At-Will Momentum Attack]
Ranged Attack; Requires Momentum
Target: One foe
Attack: Dexterity + Level vs. AC
Hit: WEAPON + Dexterity damage, and the target has a -4 to defenses until the end of its next turn.
Miss: The target has a -4 to defenses against the next attack against it.

Targeting

[Level 3 At-Will Momentum Power]
Quick Action; Requires Momentum
Choose one of the following effects. If you hit with a Rogue Attack this round, the target suffers from the effect.
* Dazed for its next attack
* Drops held item, but does not take damage from the attack
* Loses its next move action

Deadeye
[Level 5 At-Will]
Ranged Attack
Target: One foe
Attack: Dexterity + Level vs. PD
Hit: WEAPON + Dexterity damage.
Miss: Damage equal to your level.

Bleeding Wound
[Level 5 At-Will Momentum Attack]
Ranged Attack; Requires Momentum
Target: One foe
Attack: Dexterity + Level vs. AC
Hit: WEAPON + Dexterity damage. If the foe is engaged with at least one of your allies, you can deal ongoing damage equal to the number of Sneak Attack dice you can roll for your level.
Miss: Damage equal to your level.

(Champion Feat): Once per day you can choose to lose Momentum in order to penalize the target's PD and attack rolls by an amount equal to the number of Sneak Attack dice you can roll for your level.

Startling Shot
[Level 7 At-Will Momentum Attack]
Ranged Attack; Requires Momentum
Target: One foe
Attack: Dexterity + Level vs. AC
Hit: WEAPON + Dexterity damage, and the target is weakened until the end of his next turn.
Miss: Target is dazed until the end of his next turn.

Stunning Shot
[Level 9 At-Will Momentum Attack]
Ranged Attack; Requires Momentum
Target: One foe
Attack: Dexterity + Level vs. AC
Hit: WEAPON + Dexterity damage, and the target is stunned (save ends).
Miss: Damage equal to your level.

Deadly Shot
[Level 9 At-Will Momentum Attack]
Ranged Attack; Requires Momentum
Target: One foe
Special: The attack is always considered a critical hit when it hits. If the roll falls within your critical hit range, triple the damage instead.
Attack: Dexterity + Level vs. AC
Hit: WEAPON + Dexterity damage.
Miss: Half damage.