Post/Author/DateTime	Post
brum 09-22-04, 06:28 PM	I'm DMing the City of the Spider Queen campaign. So far the players have killed and driven off most of the drows in the Szith Morcane outpost. And now they're heading down to Dorina's unholy sanctuary. With the new MMIII out, and within it the description and image of the kick-ass Charnel Hound (CR 13), I would really like the PCs to encounter that nasty undead. I was planning to "stuff" the undead with most of the drows that they've slain and now the drows come back one last time to "haunt" the PCs. BUT since they're just three players (12th level x2 and 11th level x1) I can't use the Charnel Hound as is. If someone could help me "nerf" the Charnel Hound to CR 10 or 11 I would greatly appreciate it.
brum 09-22-04, 06:31 PM	Also, how tough should a cleric (like Dorina) be to create and control such a powerful undead? Perhaps my idea lacks a sound foundation? :(
brum 09-22-04, 06:34 PM	Who wouldn't want to put this undead in his campaign?! :eek: http://www.wizards.com/leaving.asp?url=/dnd/images/mmiii_gallery/82974.jpg&origin=dnd_ag_20040903a
eggplantm 09-23-04, 07:43 AM	Do you need to nerf the charnel hound? I don't have the MM3 and I'm really not sure of its abilities but your characters might be able to handle a CR13 especially if they are not surprised and have a little time to prepare. Give us some more info about your characters and this monster.
Gez 09-23-04, 09:45 AM	Nerfing that creature is rather easy. First, remove Unholy Toughness. Its hit points drop from 220 to 136. Instantly, it becomes easier for a small (three characters), underleveled (one or two levels below the CR) party to tacle it. But maybe that's not enough. Then, remove 4 HD. It drops to 17 HD (and thus, 110 hp -- half the normal creature). More importantly, it loses one ability point (since there's an increase every 4 HD). Drop its Strength to 37. The monster, being mindless, has no skills or feats to speak off, so they are not affected. However, its BAB and saves will be affected. BAB is decreased by 2 points. Since its Strength score was lessened to an odd score, its Strength bonus changes from +14 to +13. As a consequence, its attacks get a -3 penalty compared to the values listed in the book. Its bite damage is 2d8+5 (Power Attack)+Str (now 13), so 2d8+18. Its claw damage is 2d6+5 (Power Attack)+1/2 Str (now 6), so 2d6+11. Its rend damage is 4d6+1.5 Str (now 19), so 4d6+19. Its HD loss gives it a -2 penalty to all saves. (Base saves for 21 HD are +12 and +7; while base saves for 17 HD are 10 and 5.) Its save DCs (for body integration and frightful presence) likewise suffers for the loss of 4 HD. Since these DC are calculated from 10+half HD+relevant ability modifier, and the half-HD total was reduced by 2, reduces DC by two. 22 instead of 24. The CR decrease is left to your own guess, but you can peg it as a CR 10 or 11 now.
brum 09-23-04, 09:03 PM	Nice work, Gez. What about the size, should the size be reduced to large or should it stay huge?
Juca 09-23-04, 09:13 PM	Nerf the Charnel Hound? I don't think you will even need to, its base attack is so wimp... Well, maybe taking its unholy thougness you easy the things
Gez 09-24-04, 05:39 AM	What about the size, should the size be reduced to large or should it stay huge? I don't think the size needs to be reduced. If you do, you'll have to reduce its Strength again, and all the other things that goes with size (AC, Hide bonus, Grapple bonus, reach...). The creature's combat power is sufficiently reduced as such, no need to overdo it. Beside, if you reduce the size, you won't be able to show the nifty picture. "You see that, but... smaller!"
brum 09-24-04, 10:05 AM	True! After all, there is a reason for it's Frightfull presence. :)