I know, I know, where’s that idiot disappeared to now. Well I have been working hard on the Vampire Bestiary and was hoping to have it all ready to go by Hallowe’en. However, as of today I only have approx. 45 (of 60) pages finished, with the remaining pages in various states of completion. Unfortunately I am working the next four nights so the small glimmer of a chance at getting it all done for the 31st is not going to materialise.
The good news is that the book is almost ready. Whereas before it needed a few weeks worth of work, it now only needs a few days worth of work. Luckily I have almost 2 weeks free from the start of November. I can’t conceive it not being finished within that period (and yes this is me saying that).
Being this near to the release I thought I would post up the contents (finally set in stone…I hope) and one or two previews. Just a note, I did notice (upon creating the pdf) the slight flaw on the right hand side of the page frame/border of page 11, I’ll look into fixing that.
S'mon
October 28, 2011
Looking good! Remind me who your ‘iconics’ on the cover are again – Thrin, Darra, Fangor, is that Mirv Sheelon lurking at the back? And who’s the dwarf with the hammer?
Upper_Krust
October 29, 2011
Thrin, Darra, Fangor and…a dwarf with a hammer. I don’t have Mirv Sheelan in that one. I just like to mix it with four different races with different weapons.
FieryDragonLord
October 29, 2011
Awesome! I’m hoping you will FINALLY finish the book!
Upper_Krust
October 29, 2011
Hey FieryDragonLord!
Its about time I finished something.
Its almost done though, basically a few minor tweaks, three unfinished vampires and the adventure section in need of attention…about 4-5 days work.
sc8rpi8n
November 30, 2011
Hi Upper_Krust
I have been following your vampire bestiary previews, and overall I really like what I’m seeing. The moment you release this I’m buying it. I’m also grateful that someone is working on some epic tier material (my players are 21th level).
I don’t know if you are open to suggestions regarding the bestiary. In general I think you have awesome ideas but IMHO the statblocks need to be polished a little mechanically speaking, in order to be similar to the mechanics presented on the WotC Monster Manuals. Here are some examples, using this preview:
The grab and bite I would write it like this:
- the target is grabbed and slowed (until escape, you should give a DC) if it is medium sized.
secondary attack: Melee 1 (one grabbed creature); +6 vs. Fortitude…
For the blood Revelry power, I would use a free action instead of inmediate reaction. If the free action doesn’t need to interrupt the triggering action, it basically works the same as an inmediate. The thing is, the cannibal can still attack using this power if it is dazed (wich is common at level 3)
Instead of “Gains a free basic attack”, I would use “The cannibal crazy makes a Grab and bite attack”
The cannibal deathwalker “Mostly Dead” trait could be made as a power:
TRIGGERED ACTIONS
Mostly dead * at-will
Trigger: The cannibal deathwalker is reduced to 0 hit points, but not by a critical hit.
Effect (no action): Roll a D20. If the roll is a 10 or higher, the cannibal does no die and regains 1 hit point.
Or if you want to keep it as a trait:
“When the cannibal deathwalker is reduced to 0 hit points, it gets a saving throw. If the roll is a 10 or higher, at the start of its next turn it stands up as a no action and acts normally. If not, it dies.”
I have other suggestions regarding other previews. In the Kali preview, one of the forms has a power as an inmediate interrupt that allows it to make an attack when an enemy enters a square two squares away from Kali. This, as written, doesn’t work. Since it’s an interrupt it happens before the trigger, and the monster has reach 2. It is impossible for her to attack three squares away. These type of power are inmediate reactions that trigger on ending a move or entering a square.
Well I have other ideas but I don´t want to make a comment that long
If you are interested I can email them to you.
dplunkett2486
December 1, 2011
@ sc8rpi8n:
I don’t think I entirely agree with your view on the interrupt power of Kali’s. If you make the power a reaction power then it doesn’t prevent someone from moving into melee range, which I believe is the intent.
The interrupt power does prevent this (on a hit). I think the power is written correctly. The interrupt power doesn’t have to happen before the entire move, the trigger is when the target enters the reach of Kali. Bam, the target is attacked and the movement interrupted at that point. It makes sense to me.
Furthermore, I am fairly sure there a few WoTC powers that are very similar.
Upper_Krust
November 30, 2011
Hey there Sc8rpi8n!
Thanks for the feedback. Feel free to email me any suggestions you have. I appreciate any constructive criticism.
Just had a bit of a nightmare November otherwise this would be finished already. Virtually at the spellchecking/editing stage.
I think part of the problem with always apeing the official books is that the official guidelines change with every new release WotC make. I generally try to replicate basic functions, but I think the key is to make it understandable, not necessarily exactly the same.
But I will address any mechanical flaws you noted.
sc8rpi8n
December 1, 2011
dplunkett2486,
As a reaction, you attack when the target steps into the 2-squares range. The moment they step onto a square that qualifies you can attack. You can check this by reading the rules compendium, page 196. Reactions whose triggers are based on movement don’t trigger when all movement is complete. Basically they don’t have to get into melee range if you don’t want to.
The trigger is not when a character enters Kali’s reach. It is when a character moves within two squares of the idol. Rereading the power it seems I was wrong when I said It can’twork the way it is written. Sorry for the confusion. Usually these powers use the “Inmediate reaction, an enemy enters a square within X squares of (monster name)” clause. That’s basically what I meant.
Thanks for pointing out my mistake.
An you are right, there are monster with these type of interrupt powers (a few of them). For example Lolth from MM3.