Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Foozlesprite 06-10-06, 07:52 PM	Hey, I'm playing in a campaign and I designed a chocobo for use as my druid's animal companion. I've ran it by a few other D&D players, but I still don't know what the animal companion level adjustment or CR should be. Any other advice would be helpful. Thanks! Chocobo Medium Animal Hit Dice: 2d8 (9 HP) Initiative: +4 Speed: 70 ft. (14 squares) Armor Class: (+1 natural armor) Base Attack/Grapple: +1/+3 Attack: Claw +3 melee (1d6+2) Full Attack: 2 claws +3 melee (1d6+2), beak –2 melee (1d4+1) Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. Special Attacks: Chocobo Kick Saves: Fort +3, Ref +7, Will +1 Abilities: Str 15, Dex 18, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6 Skills: Jump +5, Escape Artist +5 Feats: Run, Improved Natural Attack (Claw) Environment: Temperate Plains Organization: Solitary, domesticated or herd (6-30) Advancement: 3-5 HD (Medium), 6-10 (Large) Chocobo Kick: Jump (+20 on jump checks) forward 10 feet at the end of a charge to land in target’s square. Kick +3 melee (2d8+3). Land in square in front of target. Powerful Mount: A chocobo can carry a medium or smaller creature without penalty. Yes, we came up with "Powerful Mount." If there is a similar existing ability, I would like to know. Thanks again!
malykoth 06-10-06, 08:42 PM	FYI Dragon Magazine #323 has a write-up for chocobos (yellow and black)...not that there's anything wrong with doing your own, of course. At a glance the differences seem to be the #323 chocobo has a few more HD, is stronger, not as dexterous, a bit more durable (both CON and natural AC-wise), and a little slower. It also has scent, low-light vision, and inflicts more damage. The black chocobo has a fly speed as well. You could always say your chocobos are just another breed...lighter and faster. Edit: oh, and they're Large-size.
Foozlesprite 06-10-06, 09:05 PM	I'll see if one of my friends has that one, but what would be the animal companion adjustment (if any) and CR?
Sikyanakotik 06-10-06, 09:24 PM	Unfortunately, there are no stats for flightless birds in the MM. I suppose you could use a Deionychus and remove the claw attacks (keeping the rake and pecking "bite"), but that probably wouldn't end well. And I do agree on size Large, since these things will have to be able to carrry a Medium rider. Of course, smaller breeds or chicobos could be used to carry Small riders kupo. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v402/Sikyanakotik/mooglegrin.png
Insane Pixie 06-10-06, 09:31 PM	Unfortunately, there are no stats for flightless birds in the MM. The most overlooked creature I've ever seen. Click. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/achaierai.htm) Maybe it's the name.
Sikyanakotik 06-10-06, 09:43 PM	The most overlooked creature I've ever seen. Click. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/achaierai.htm) Maybe it's the name. Alright, flightless birds that are actually of the animal type then. Preferably with only one pair of legs.
Insane Pixie 06-10-06, 09:48 PM	Alright, flightless birds that are actually of the animal type then. Preferably with only one pair of legs. Penguins? http://www.thespiannet.com/actors/F/freeman_morgan/mf.jpg
Sikyanakotik 06-10-06, 10:00 PM	Penguins? Exactly. This game desperately needs more fiendish dire penguins. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v402/Sikyanakotik/mooglegrin.png
Foozlesprite 06-10-06, 10:09 PM	Haha...penguins sound like fun. I'm DMing a game now...anyone know where I can find the stats on a penguin? Anyways, I've combined the two different stats (I found the originals here on the boards at http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=424964&page=2). Chocobo Large Animal Hit Dice: 3d8+6 (19 HP) Initiative: +4 Speed: 60 ft. (12 squares) Armor Class: 16 (-1 size, +4 dex, +3 natural armor) Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+5 Attack: Claw +5 melee (1d6+3) Full Attack: 2 claws +5 melee (1d6+3), beak +0 melee (1d4+1) Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft. Special Attacks: Chocobo Kick Special Qualities: Low-Light vision, scent Saves: Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +3 Abilities: Str 16, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 8 Skills: Jump +18, Listen +8, Spot+8 Feats: Run, Endurance Environment: Warm plains and forests Organization: Solitary, domesticated or herd (6-30) CR: 2 Advancement: 4-7 HD (Medium), 8-10 (Large) Chocobo Kick: Jump (+18 on jump checks) forward 10 feet at the end of a charge to land in target’s square. Kick +3 melee (2d8+4). Land in square in front of target. What looks to be an exceptionally athletic chicken the size of a draft horse and with golden-yellow feathers stands before you. With a pair of sharp talons, it scratches at the ground as its head dartss about alertly. Upon noticing you, it tilts its long neck to one side and lets out a curious call, "Wark?" Chocobos are large animals that look like crosses between oversized chickens and ostriches. With long necks, golden feathers, and intelligent eyes, Chocobos can often be found running freely in flocks across the plains or lazing in the cool shade of an isolated forest. Natural runners, few creatures can sprint as fast as a Chocobo without the aid of magic. An average Chocobo stands nearly 7 feet tall and, with it's flared tail plumes, is almost equally long. Despite their size, Chocobos are still avians and usually weigh only about 350 pounds. Combat Chocobos are usually either shy or friendly, and thus don't often engage in combat. Most potential predators leave Chocobos alone in favor of slower prey. However, when a Chocobo's young or those its become attached to are in danger, it makes effective use of its sharp beak and powerful talons. Skills: Like most birds, Chocobos have keen eyesight, giving them a +6 racial bonus on Spot checks. Carrying Capacity: A light load for a Chocobo is up to 200 pounds; a medium load, 201-400 pounds; and a heavy load, 401-600 pounds. A Chocobo can drag 3,000 pounds. Chocobos cost 400 GP. What do you guys think...is the combined version's CR 1 or 2, and can a druid get it at level one or four? I just wanted a chocobo because I'm playing a gestalt druid/monk. I figured with the monk-y aspect, a fast and strong creature would work well, and it's just quirky enough for my druid. Thanks guys!
Insane Pixie 06-10-06, 10:14 PM	Haha...penguins sound like fun. I'm DMing a game now...anyone know where I can find the stats on a penguin? Frostburn. Also a great book if you want to run a seal-clubbing campaign. :thumbsup:
Sikyanakotik 06-10-06, 10:27 PM	Hm, looks pretty good. The strength is good for an untrained chocobo, or one trained for light riding, but I think there should definitely be seperate stats, with a higher strength, for war chocobos. After all, where would we be without chocobo knights?
Foozlesprite 06-10-06, 10:28 PM	Thanks...I have Frostburn, but haven't looked through the monster section. I did that, and am happy at the number of fey they added, as well as the arctic fox, caribou, and yuki-on-na. I get sad when things don't have many fey :weep: . The penguin is very cute.