Creatures that share a mind; help. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Creatures that share a mind; help. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Rechan
09-08-05, 06:52 PM I'm trying to create a creature that hunts in a pack. The pack animals have a psionic ability to "link up" like a hive mind. Sort of like velociraptors or wolves, who coordinate attacks and use tactics.

So my question is, what sort of mechanical power could I use to represent this? A bonus to flanking? Plusses to attacks?
dok
09-08-05, 08:14 PM Try this: (taken from the Axiomatic template)

Linked Minds (Ex): all creatures of the same kind with this ability who are within 300 ft. of each other are in constant communication. If one of the group is not flat-footed, none of them are. None of teh creatures are considered flanked unless they all are.

If that isn't enough, you could add the following:

If the group is large (more than 20 individuals) the group may Take 20 on some common skills without taking any extra time, even on opposed rolls and skills that normally do not allow Take 20. For example, a group of 20+ linked creatures is treated as Taking 20 on Spot & Listen checks. A group of 20+ linked creatures all with Track is treated as taking 20 on its Survival checks to track. Some skill uses (like using Survival to find food) cannot be affected in this manner; skills that specifically relate to individuals (like climb & swim) also cannot be affected.
Rechan
09-08-05, 10:36 PM That does help. Though I was going to apply it more to say, packs of four to five. The ranges are a little large, but I think that works.
Shemeska the Marauder
09-08-05, 11:08 PM Cranium Rats *grin*
Kohdok
09-09-05, 01:14 AM There was a type of dog with "Pack Mind" in Sandstorm, I think... They're CR 3 on their own but move in groups of at least three. But, I can see I was beaten to this answer. You can use them as a reference, however.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Rechan 09-08-05, 06:52 PM	I'm trying to create a creature that hunts in a pack. The pack animals have a psionic ability to "link up" like a hive mind. Sort of like velociraptors or wolves, who coordinate attacks and use tactics. So my question is, what sort of mechanical power could I use to represent this? A bonus to flanking? Plusses to attacks?
dok 09-08-05, 08:14 PM	Try this: (taken from the Axiomatic template) Linked Minds (Ex): all creatures of the same kind with this ability who are within 300 ft. of each other are in constant communication. If one of the group is not flat-footed, none of them are. None of teh creatures are considered flanked unless they all are. If that isn't enough, you could add the following: If the group is large (more than 20 individuals) the group may Take 20 on some common skills without taking any extra time, even on opposed rolls and skills that normally do not allow Take 20. For example, a group of 20+ linked creatures is treated as Taking 20 on Spot & Listen checks. A group of 20+ linked creatures all with Track is treated as taking 20 on its Survival checks to track. Some skill uses (like using Survival to find food) cannot be affected in this manner; skills that specifically relate to individuals (like climb & swim) also cannot be affected.
Rechan 09-08-05, 10:36 PM	That does help. Though I was going to apply it more to say, packs of four to five. The ranges are a little large, but I think that works.
Shemeska the Marauder 09-08-05, 11:08 PM	Cranium Rats grin
Kohdok 09-09-05, 01:14 AM	There was a type of dog with "Pack Mind" in Sandstorm, I think... They're CR 3 on their own but move in groups of at least three. But, I can see I was beaten to this answer. You can use them as a reference, however.