Best creatures to make Effigies out of? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best creatures to make Effigies out of? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
robertliguori
01-17-06, 05:30 PM So, if you're going to be an effigy master (or even just get into the constuct-making game), what creatures get you the most bang for the least size and hit dice?

We can't add templates, and we want to get the creatures as small as possible, in terms of both numbers of hit dice and size, yet still pack a wallop in combat or be useful elsewhere.

The common baboon makes a great shock trooper. One hit dice and medium, and it's fast, strong, dextrous, and even has a climb speed and a bit of natural armor.

Sahuaguin (especially the 4-armed variety) also make excellent shock troopers. Lots of natural attacks to be boosted by the strength score, and lots of natural armor.

So, what other creatures don't lose much when made into Effigies?
LordofProcrastination
01-18-06, 01:58 PM Tough question. Here's my suggestion: find the summoning and polymorph/shapechange threads on this board (via the Library or Surreal's list). There you'll find creatures rated specifically for their relative power to Hit Dice. Likewise, the Druid handbooks probably contain reference to low-HD creatures for early Wild Shaping which offer significant advantages at low levels.
hogarth
01-18-06, 02:08 PM Mind flayers would make O.K. grappling effigies, I imagine; they keep their Extract ability.

Gibbering mouther might be O.K. too (6 attacks, improved grab, blood drain) except they're so slow.

Would an effigy phthisic keep its (Ex) Mind Feed ability?
Manus
01-18-06, 02:29 PM My wife plays a 17th level artificer. She prefers effigies of large animals (lions and tigers and bears, oh my!) and giants.
Mystic Mouse
01-18-06, 02:33 PM Is the "no templates" a self imposed rule, because inherently, the EM does not have that limitation?
Lokiyn
01-18-06, 02:39 PM Have you looked at dire Weasels?
Attach (Ex)

A dire weasel that hits with its bite attack latches onto the opponent’s body with its powerful jaws. An attached dire weasel loses its Dexterity bonus to AC and thus has an AC of 12. An attached dire weasel can be struck with a weapon or grappled itself. To remove an attached dire weasel through grappling, the opponent must achieve a pin against the creature.
Blood Drain (Ex)

A dire weasel drains blood for 1d4 points of Constitution damage each round it remains attached.

I'm fairly certain that an effigy retains those ex abilities.

And if i remember correctly you aren't limited to one effigy so a horde of tiny effigy weasels (regular) could attach themselve to your foe dealing 1 point of damager per weasel per round.
Aufenshauft
01-18-06, 02:44 PM There was a thread on this one recently. A couple good ones were all sorts of hydras, since they scale well and you can even argue that they can get extra heads added when needed.

Gibbering mouthers can be made, and have many of the ooze type's traits while actually being aberrations. Don't underestimate the usefulness of basic humanoids. They are generally well received in towns, can use equipment and armor to tank, as well as magical items to protect them from elemental damage- which is the bane of effigies.

Lastly, I would include some huge creature with the swallow ability for transport. Burrow speeds are kept, so a purple worm is excellent travel material, if expensive.
SoulGamit
01-18-06, 06:39 PM Urophions own, though I'd advise putting them on a big wagon to compinsate for their lack of movement. Cave trolls, ghost tigers, and the big cats are other common choices. I'm a fan of the gibberring mouther.
pyro_cat
01-18-06, 07:05 PM http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=531914&page=1&pp=30

Any suggestions would also be appreciated, it's an ongoing thing.
incubus
01-18-06, 08:42 PM Try a cloaker. They have a variety of at-will charisma-based ex abilities (so they retain them, although the DCs become very low), AND you can wear one as a cloak and have it split all damage done to you when you're in trouble. Finally they fly and are large size with a lot of strength.
hogarth
01-18-06, 09:04 PM Have you looked at dire Weasels?

I'm fairly certain that an effigy retains those ex abilities.

Almost the same as a dire weasel is an aiguillan (sp?) from Stormwrack. They have the same Attach and Blood Drain powers of a dire weasel, but they have two pincer attacks (or a spear attack) on top of it; it gives them something to do while draining blood. Also 3 HD.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
robertliguori 01-17-06, 05:30 PM	So, if you're going to be an effigy master (or even just get into the constuct-making game), what creatures get you the most bang for the least size and hit dice? We can't add templates, and we want to get the creatures as small as possible, in terms of both numbers of hit dice and size, yet still pack a wallop in combat or be useful elsewhere. The common baboon makes a great shock trooper. One hit dice and medium, and it's fast, strong, dextrous, and even has a climb speed and a bit of natural armor. Sahuaguin (especially the 4-armed variety) also make excellent shock troopers. Lots of natural attacks to be boosted by the strength score, and lots of natural armor. So, what other creatures don't lose much when made into Effigies?
LordofProcrastination 01-18-06, 01:58 PM	Tough question. Here's my suggestion: find the summoning and polymorph/shapechange threads on this board (via the Library or Surreal's list). There you'll find creatures rated specifically for their relative power to Hit Dice. Likewise, the Druid handbooks probably contain reference to low-HD creatures for early Wild Shaping which offer significant advantages at low levels.
hogarth 01-18-06, 02:08 PM	Mind flayers would make O.K. grappling effigies, I imagine; they keep their Extract ability. Gibbering mouther might be O.K. too (6 attacks, improved grab, blood drain) except they're so slow. Would an effigy phthisic keep its (Ex) Mind Feed ability?
Manus 01-18-06, 02:29 PM	My wife plays a 17th level artificer. She prefers effigies of large animals (lions and tigers and bears, oh my!) and giants.
Mystic Mouse 01-18-06, 02:33 PM	Is the "no templates" a self imposed rule, because inherently, the EM does not have that limitation?
Lokiyn 01-18-06, 02:39 PM	Have you looked at dire Weasels? Attach (Ex) A dire weasel that hits with its bite attack latches onto the opponent’s body with its powerful jaws. An attached dire weasel loses its Dexterity bonus to AC and thus has an AC of 12. An attached dire weasel can be struck with a weapon or grappled itself. To remove an attached dire weasel through grappling, the opponent must achieve a pin against the creature. Blood Drain (Ex) A dire weasel drains blood for 1d4 points of Constitution damage each round it remains attached. I'm fairly certain that an effigy retains those ex abilities. And if i remember correctly you aren't limited to one effigy so a horde of tiny effigy weasels (regular) could attach themselve to your foe dealing 1 point of damager per weasel per round.
Aufenshauft 01-18-06, 02:44 PM	There was a thread on this one recently. A couple good ones were all sorts of hydras, since they scale well and you can even argue that they can get extra heads added when needed. Gibbering mouthers can be made, and have many of the ooze type's traits while actually being aberrations. Don't underestimate the usefulness of basic humanoids. They are generally well received in towns, can use equipment and armor to tank, as well as magical items to protect them from elemental damage- which is the bane of effigies. Lastly, I would include some huge creature with the swallow ability for transport. Burrow speeds are kept, so a purple worm is excellent travel material, if expensive.
SoulGamit 01-18-06, 06:39 PM	Urophions own, though I'd advise putting them on a big wagon to compinsate for their lack of movement. Cave trolls, ghost tigers, and the big cats are other common choices. I'm a fan of the gibberring mouther.
pyro_cat 01-18-06, 07:05 PM	http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=531914&page=1&pp=30 Any suggestions would also be appreciated, it's an ongoing thing.
incubus 01-18-06, 08:42 PM	Try a cloaker. They have a variety of at-will charisma-based ex abilities (so they retain them, although the DCs become very low), AND you can wear one as a cloak and have it split all damage done to you when you're in trouble. Finally they fly and are large size with a lot of strength.
hogarth 01-18-06, 09:04 PM	Have you looked at dire Weasels? I'm fairly certain that an effigy retains those ex abilities. Almost the same as a dire weasel is an aiguillan (sp?) from Stormwrack. They have the same Attach and Blood Drain powers of a dire weasel, but they have two pincer attacks (or a spear attack) on top of it; it gives them something to do while draining blood. Also 3 HD.