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Post by cometaryorbit on Nov 14, 2022 16:20:10 GMT -6
What would you suggest to replace the level-draining undead on the encounter tables, if I wanted to use the tables otherwise as written but exclude those monsters?
If I replaced them with "giant animals and insects" style monsters, what HD would be reasonable? Maybe 5HD for wraith equivalent, 8HD for spectre equivalent, 10+ HD for vampire equivalent to make up for losing their immunities?
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Post by geoffrey on Nov 14, 2022 18:35:46 GMT -6
What would you suggest to replace the level-draining undead on the encounter tables, if I wanted to use the tables otherwise as written but exclude those monsters? What limitations do you want on the possible monsters? Only those in the 1974 D&D rules? Or can monsters in GREYHAWK be included? Or in later OD&D supplements? Or etc.?  |
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Post by jamesmishler on Nov 14, 2022 22:52:03 GMT -6
I would go back to Chainmail to change the monsters, before eliminating them.
Wights and Wraiths paralyzed their victims in Chainmail, just like Ghouls.
To reflect their greater power, you can have have Ghoul paralysis at a normal save chance, Wight at -1, Wraith at -2, Spectre at -3, and Vampire at -4. Alternatively, you can increase the duration.
Ghoul paralysis duration was never noted in OD&D, and was listed as "one turn" in Chainmail. Which does not really help...
In BX Ghoul paralysis lasts for 2d4 turns (10 minute turns, equal to 60 10-second rounds); in AD&D Ghoul paralysis lasts for 3d4 turns (again, 10 minute turns, but only 10 one-minute rounds per turn).
Instead of a saving throw penalty you could increase the length of paralysis. If you go with 2d4 turns for the ghoul, the duration might be a number of d4's equal to the monster's HD... 3d4 for Wights, 4d4 for Wraiths, 6d4 for Spectres, and 7d4 to 9d4 for Vampires.
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Post by hamurai on Nov 14, 2022 23:35:57 GMT -6
If the draining ability is what puts you off, you could always change the ability and leave the monsters in your game. Instead of draining levels, they could temporarily drain Strength points or something, which would not be as deadly and frustrating, but still give them an iconic ability to fear.
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flightcommander
Level 6 Magician
"I become drunk as circumstances dictate."
Posts: 370
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Post by flightcommander on Nov 15, 2022 20:54:03 GMT -6
Personally I'd leave them in but thin them out. How this is accomplished remains as an exercise for the reader. But I think the level-drain threat is an important part of the game; I'd prefer to make it more rare than eliminate it altogether.
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Post by Mordorandor on Nov 21, 2022 12:46:48 GMT -6
What would you suggest to replace the level-draining undead on the encounter tables, if I wanted to use the tables otherwise as written but exclude those monsters? If I replaced them with "giant animals and insects" style monsters, what HD would be reasonable? Maybe 5HD for wraith equivalent, 8HD for spectre equivalent, 10+ HD for vampire equivalent to make up for losing their immunities? Would you consider using the stats as given for each monster and substituting a special ability? Giant Leech comes to mind, though its special ability is life level drain. Maybe something that can swallow whole? Or something that produces webbing, much like those mentioned under the staff of wizardry. Maybe increase damage to 2d6. |
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Post by cometaryorbit on Nov 24, 2022 1:18:25 GMT -6
What would you suggest to replace the level-draining undead on the encounter tables, if I wanted to use the tables otherwise as written but exclude those monsters? If I replaced them with "giant animals and insects" style monsters, what HD would be reasonable? Maybe 5HD for wraith equivalent, 8HD for spectre equivalent, 10+ HD for vampire equivalent to make up for losing their immunities? Would you consider using the stats as given for each monster and substituting a special ability? Yeah, that would work well. Same stats, different name and maybe description, different special abilities. I would go back to Chainmail to change the monsters, before eliminating them. Wights and Wraiths paralyzed their victims in Chainmail, just like Ghouls. Hmmm... or maybe even farther back, to the original source. The Barrow-Wight does seem to paralyze the hobbits in Fellowship, so Ghoul paralysis would fit well there. But the Ringwraiths' Black Breath seems more like a mummy's supernatural disease attack (requiring a supernatural cure, from Aragorn in the case of LOTR) than "level drain". It's not instantaneous, but takes effect after the fight. So Wraiths and/or Spectres could have mummy-style disease swapped out for their level drain. |
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