Campaign Penultimate Battle [Archive] - Wizards Community

Campaign Penultimate Battle [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Bauglir
09-26-07, 11:45 PM I've been thinking way ahead to the end of a campaign I'm running, and I think I've come up with something that will evoke about the right amount of terror in the players until they're capable of beating it, at which point it will still be a long and difficult battle. Naturally, since we're a way off, I'll have to adjust it as seems necessary, but this is what I've got at the moment. The Half-Adamantine Golem template was extrapolated from existing Half-Golem templates. I imagine it being ridden by War Troll wearing a Ring of Acid Immunity, because that's tremendously evil. Naturally, said War Troll would be loyal to the BBEG, etc.

Also, I submit that this is tremendously under-cr'ed, despite being a melee fighter around level 20. And the HP actually is a coincidence. A wonderful, excellent coincidence, but a coincidence nonetheless.

What CR would you peg this as actually being, and what DR would a Half-Adamantine Golem have? I couldn't figure out a pattern in existing half-golem DR, so I just gave it the Golem's without the epic requirement. Also, any other ideas to make it a creature that would make it a difficult battle for high-level characters? It might help to mention that it's a no-Vancian-spellcasting world, basically removing the core spellcasting system and leaving all the others intact (most magical creatures are assumed to have been created through psionic analogues, spell-like abilities are now psi-like, even if they mimic spells, and magical items can be purchased as normal, having been crafted gods know how). And don't ask me where they're going to sell that armor. I assume that somewhere some ridiculously rich psion will want it for a museum or something.

Half-Adamantine Golem Battletitan
Huge Animal
Hit Dice: 36d8+504(666 hp)
Initiative: +4
Speed: 40 ft. in barding; base speed 60 ft. (Cannot run)
Armor Class: 37 (–2 size, +13 full plate barding, +16 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 37
Base Attack/Grapple: +27/+61
Attack: Bite +51 melee (3d6+26)
Full Attack: Bite +51 melee (3d6+26) and 2 claws +49 melee (2d6+13) and tail spike +49 melee (2d6+13)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Improved grab, swallow whole, trample
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent, DR 20/Adamantine, <immune to critical hits, (fire, elec, cold, acid, sonic) resistance 30, +80 vs scrying>, psionics immunity
Saves: Fort +33, Ref +20, Will +14
Abilities: Str 62, Dex 11, Con 37, Int 1, Wis 14, Cha 10 (elite array)
Skills: Jump +34, Listen +11, Spot +20
Feats: Armor Proficiency (heavy), Armor Proficiency (light), Armor Proficiency (medium), Cleave, Improved Initiative, Improved Natural Attack (bite), Improved Natural Attack (claw), Improved Natural Armor, Awesome Blow, Great Cleave, Multiattack, Power Attack, Improved Toughness
Environment: Various Plot-Related Battles
Organization: Solitary (Unique Creature)
Challenge Rating: 21
Treasure: +5 Huge Heavy Fortification Energy Resistance 30 Urdrukar Full Plate Barding (478200 gp) (400 lb)
Alignment: Neutral
Advancement: None
Level Adjustment: --
COMBAT
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a half-adamantine golem battletitan must hit an opponent of up to one size smaller with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking attacks of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can try to swallow the foe the following round.
Swallow Whole (Ex): A half-adamantine golem battletitan can try to swallow a grabbed opponent of up to two sizes smaller than itself by making a successful grapple check. The swallowed creature takes 2d8+12 points of bludgeoning damage and 12 points of acid damage per round from the dinosaur’s gizzard. Swallowed creatures must also make a DC 43 Fortitude saving throw each round or be overcome with nausea until their next action (the save DC is Constitution-based). While in the gizzard, the opponent is still considered grappled due to a half-adamantine golem battletitan’s powerful digestive muscles. A swallowed creature can cut its way out by using a light slashing or piercing weapon to deal 30 points of damage to the gizzard (AC 18). Once the creature exits, muscular action closes the hole; another swallowed opponent must cut its own way out. A Huge half-adamantine golem battletitan’s gizzard can hold 1 Medium, 2 Small, 8 Tiny, 32 Diminutive, or 128 Fine opponents.
Trample (Ex): The trample deals 2d6+36 points of bludgeoning Damage. Trampled opponents can either attempt attacks of opportunity at a –4 penalty or Reflex saves (DC 52) for half Damage. The DC is Strength-based.
Psionics Immunity (Ex): A Half-Adamantine Golem battletitan is immune to any power or psi-like ability that allows power resistance.

Special Qualities in <> are just things granted by the armor. And, for random trivia, it's capable of lifting 2,657,280 lb. I'm sure that will never be relevant, but it's always fun to see something lifting 73 times its own weight.
Slagger the Chuul
09-27-07, 12:05 AM I imagine it being ridden by War Troll wearing a Ring of Acid Immunity, because that's tremendously evil. Naturally, said War Troll would be loyal to the BBEG, etc.

What happened to the ever-popular voidmind war troll?
dman11235
09-27-07, 12:19 AM I think you should make it easier.....:shifty:

I think we can take that at a high enough level, assuming we all make it to the session. Me and the swordsage alone....not a chance.
Bauglir
09-27-07, 12:19 AM That would be quite awesome. But then I'd have to figure out how to get Mind Flayers in on the deal. Might look into it, though. Thanks for the idea.

I am assuming a larger, party than just the two of you, y'know. Of course, now I have to change it somewhat before I use it. Wouldn't do to have players looking at the monsters I've built.
dman11235
09-27-07, 12:24 AM I'm sorry! I didn't notice the screen name until after I read it!
Bauglir
09-27-07, 12:29 AM No problem. The changes won't meaningfully affect it, they'll just screw with any attempts to mess with the thing's defenses. Either that, or you'll have forgotten about this by the time it comes along. It being about 18 levels away.

So comments are still welcome as to toughness, etc. It'll be pretty much the same.

Pity Half-Golem doesn't just add natural armor. That would've been good times. AC would go up by 20 if it did, but that'd be just plain silly.
dman11235
09-27-07, 12:52 AM You do realize that I won't remember any of this, and what can my character do to prepare any way? It's not like there's a bear form specifically designed to take out battle titans, and I couldn't even take that form if it existed anyway.

Like I said earlier. For a mini-boss, that's not bad. We'll be hitting most of the time, but the HP will stop it from going down in a hurry. That DR will hurt, but it shouldn't be TOO bad.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Bauglir 09-26-07, 11:45 PM	I've been thinking way ahead to the end of a campaign I'm running, and I think I've come up with something that will evoke about the right amount of terror in the players until they're capable of beating it, at which point it will still be a long and difficult battle. Naturally, since we're a way off, I'll have to adjust it as seems necessary, but this is what I've got at the moment. The Half-Adamantine Golem template was extrapolated from existing Half-Golem templates. I imagine it being ridden by War Troll wearing a Ring of Acid Immunity, because that's tremendously evil. Naturally, said War Troll would be loyal to the BBEG, etc. Also, I submit that this is tremendously under-cr'ed, despite being a melee fighter around level 20. And the HP actually is a coincidence. A wonderful, excellent coincidence, but a coincidence nonetheless. What CR would you peg this as actually being, and what DR would a Half-Adamantine Golem have? I couldn't figure out a pattern in existing half-golem DR, so I just gave it the Golem's without the epic requirement. Also, any other ideas to make it a creature that would make it a difficult battle for high-level characters? It might help to mention that it's a no-Vancian-spellcasting world, basically removing the core spellcasting system and leaving all the others intact (most magical creatures are assumed to have been created through psionic analogues, spell-like abilities are now psi-like, even if they mimic spells, and magical items can be purchased as normal, having been crafted gods know how). And don't ask me where they're going to sell that armor. I assume that somewhere some ridiculously rich psion will want it for a museum or something. Half-Adamantine Golem Battletitan Huge Animal Hit Dice: 36d8+504(666 hp) Initiative: +4 Speed: 40 ft. in barding; base speed 60 ft. (Cannot run) Armor Class: 37 (–2 size, +13 full plate barding, +16 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 37 Base Attack/Grapple: +27/+61 Attack: Bite +51 melee (3d6+26) Full Attack: Bite +51 melee (3d6+26) and 2 claws +49 melee (2d6+13) and tail spike +49 melee (2d6+13) Space/Reach: 15 ft./10 ft. Special Attacks: Improved grab, swallow whole, trample Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent, DR 20/Adamantine, <immune to critical hits, (fire, elec, cold, acid, sonic) resistance 30, +80 vs scrying>, psionics immunity Saves: Fort +33, Ref +20, Will +14 Abilities: Str 62, Dex 11, Con 37, Int 1, Wis 14, Cha 10 (elite array) Skills: Jump +34, Listen +11, Spot +20 Feats: Armor Proficiency (heavy), Armor Proficiency (light), Armor Proficiency (medium), Cleave, Improved Initiative, Improved Natural Attack (bite), Improved Natural Attack (claw), Improved Natural Armor, Awesome Blow, Great Cleave, Multiattack, Power Attack, Improved Toughness Environment: Various Plot-Related Battles Organization: Solitary (Unique Creature) Challenge Rating: 21 Treasure: +5 Huge Heavy Fortification Energy Resistance 30 Urdrukar Full Plate Barding (478200 gp) (400 lb) Alignment: Neutral Advancement: None Level Adjustment: -- COMBAT Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a half-adamantine golem battletitan must hit an opponent of up to one size smaller with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking attacks of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can try to swallow the foe the following round. Swallow Whole (Ex): A half-adamantine golem battletitan can try to swallow a grabbed opponent of up to two sizes smaller than itself by making a successful grapple check. The swallowed creature takes 2d8+12 points of bludgeoning damage and 12 points of acid damage per round from the dinosaur’s gizzard. Swallowed creatures must also make a DC 43 Fortitude saving throw each round or be overcome with nausea until their next action (the save DC is Constitution-based). While in the gizzard, the opponent is still considered grappled due to a half-adamantine golem battletitan’s powerful digestive muscles. A swallowed creature can cut its way out by using a light slashing or piercing weapon to deal 30 points of damage to the gizzard (AC 18). Once the creature exits, muscular action closes the hole; another swallowed opponent must cut its own way out. A Huge half-adamantine golem battletitan’s gizzard can hold 1 Medium, 2 Small, 8 Tiny, 32 Diminutive, or 128 Fine opponents. Trample (Ex): The trample deals 2d6+36 points of bludgeoning Damage. Trampled opponents can either attempt attacks of opportunity at a –4 penalty or Reflex saves (DC 52) for half Damage. The DC is Strength-based. Psionics Immunity (Ex): A Half-Adamantine Golem battletitan is immune to any power or psi-like ability that allows power resistance. Special Qualities in <> are just things granted by the armor. And, for random trivia, it's capable of lifting 2,657,280 lb. I'm sure that will never be relevant, but it's always fun to see something lifting 73 times its own weight.
Slagger the Chuul 09-27-07, 12:05 AM	I imagine it being ridden by War Troll wearing a Ring of Acid Immunity, because that's tremendously evil. Naturally, said War Troll would be loyal to the BBEG, etc. What happened to the ever-popular voidmind war troll?
dman11235 09-27-07, 12:19 AM	I think you should make it easier.....:shifty: I think we can take that at a high enough level, assuming we all make it to the session. Me and the swordsage alone....not a chance.
Bauglir 09-27-07, 12:19 AM	That would be quite awesome. But then I'd have to figure out how to get Mind Flayers in on the deal. Might look into it, though. Thanks for the idea. I am assuming a larger, party than just the two of you, y'know. Of course, now I have to change it somewhat before I use it. Wouldn't do to have players looking at the monsters I've built.
dman11235 09-27-07, 12:24 AM	I'm sorry! I didn't notice the screen name until after I read it!
Bauglir 09-27-07, 12:29 AM	No problem. The changes won't meaningfully affect it, they'll just screw with any attempts to mess with the thing's defenses. Either that, or you'll have forgotten about this by the time it comes along. It being about 18 levels away. So comments are still welcome as to toughness, etc. It'll be pretty much the same. Pity Half-Golem doesn't just add natural armor. That would've been good times. AC would go up by 20 if it did, but that'd be just plain silly.
dman11235 09-27-07, 12:52 AM	You do realize that I won't remember any of this, and what can my character do to prepare any way? It's not like there's a bear form specifically designed to take out battle titans, and I couldn't even take that form if it existed anyway. Like I said earlier. For a mini-boss, that's not bad. We'll be hitting most of the time, but the HP will stop it from going down in a hurry. That DR will hurt, but it shouldn't be TOO bad.