Drift Cat (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Drift Cat (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Fencerboy
04-07-07, 02:45 PM OK, this is a concept I've had kicking around for a little while, and I posted it in the D&D General forums for a game, and figured I would bring it here and see what you experts thought.
It was whipped up on the spot without any MM references, and I think I've already picked up a few problems that I'll fix in a little while. I will also add better descriptions of the abilities.

PEACH!!

Drift Cat
Medium Magical Beast(Cold)
HD: 3d8 + 6 (19 HP)
Init: +4
Speed: 40 ft.
AC: 14 (+2 Natural, +2 Dex) FF 12, Touch 12
BAB/Grapple: +2/+4
Attacks: Bite +5 melee, Claw +6 melee
Full Attack: Bite +5 (1d8 +2) and 2 Claws +4 (1d4+1/1d4 +1)
Special Attacks: Breath Weapon
Special Qualities: Drift Shift
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +1
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 18, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 6
Skills: Hide +10*, Move Silently +10
Feats: Weapon Focus(Bite), Weapon Finesse (claw)

Environment: Cold Plains, Cold Forest
Organization: Solitary or Pair
Alignment: Always Nuetral
CR: 3
Advancement: 4-7 HD (Medium)

A large catlike creature materializes out of the snowbank in front of you. It is completely white, except for its eyes, which are a silver color. It hisses menacingly and pounces at you.

Drift cats are cats that roam the snowy areas of the far north. They hunt caribou and seals, and have been known to attack the occasional unwary humanoid. They are often engaged in territorial conflicts with polar bears, but generally must yield to the bears greater hysical strength. Their fur is prized among nobles for its perfect color and soft silkiness.

Description:
Breath Weapon (Su): 3/day, 2d6 Cold, cone 20 feet.

Drift Shift (Su): 5/day, shift from snow drift to snow drift as Shadow Jump of Shadowdancer.
Fencerboy
04-07-07, 03:35 PM OK, I added alignment and descriptions, please give me some input here...:(
DebiHuman
04-07-07, 04:45 PM Just curious as to why this creature has a breathe weapon? It's a little overpowering for a 3 HD critter.

I like the Snow Drift but you should mention that it works thusly, "Snow Drift gives the Drift Cat the ability to travel between snow drifts as if by means of a dimension door spell." That way nobody has to look up Shadow Jump. Also, rather than limiting this ability to 5/day why not just make it at will?

If you give this cat the Jump skill, it ties in with Snow Drift and it looks like it's a critter that plans from a distance before attacking.

Also, since you mention Pounce in the description that would be a much a good special attack as would Rake. In fact, most cats have these abilities.

Pounce (Ex): If a drift cat charges a foe, it can make a full attack, including two rake attacks.

Rake (Ex): 1d2

Giving the cat fighter feats helps make it more formitable but I'm not sure that it really needs them.

Giving it weapon focus and weapon finesse don't really add much to flavor of this creature and each only adds +1 to an attack roll. Due to its higher Dex, the Dodge Feat might be more effective.

Also, it lives in a fairly harsh environment perhaps giving it the abilty to walk in ice and snow with ease would be more useful.

Also you didn't mention how much of a bonus it gets for Hide though you put the asterisk there.

Debby
R.M.G.C.L.F.
04-08-07, 05:34 PM You can keep the breath weapon, but you might want to fill in some more. Add in the breath weapon DC and text regarding what happens if you save successfully.

You made a little error in the attack listing. I think the claw damage should be 1d4+1/1d4+1, not 1d4/1d4+1/+1.

Regarding the drift jump, you might want to specify what defines a snow drift, like size requirements.

Why did you make these creatures sentient? Animal intelligence seems good enough for the behavior described, and there are already to many creatures that act like animals but have gratuitous abstract cogitation.
FreAkOuTRG
04-08-07, 07:26 PM What is the range of Drift Shift?
Fencerboy
04-09-07, 11:49 AM OK, I changed the Int score and typo on claw damage, other than that I will post descriptions and filler in a little while.
Thanks for the PEACHes, anything else?
R.M.G.C.L.F.
04-09-07, 09:21 PM We still don't have the reflex save dc for the breath weapon.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Fencerboy 04-07-07, 02:45 PM	OK, this is a concept I've had kicking around for a little while, and I posted it in the D&D General forums for a game, and figured I would bring it here and see what you experts thought. It was whipped up on the spot without any MM references, and I think I've already picked up a few problems that I'll fix in a little while. I will also add better descriptions of the abilities. PEACH!! Drift Cat Medium Magical Beast(Cold) HD: 3d8 + 6 (19 HP) Init: +4 Speed: 40 ft. AC: 14 (+2 Natural, +2 Dex) FF 12, Touch 12 BAB/Grapple: +2/+4 Attacks: Bite +5 melee, Claw +6 melee Full Attack: Bite +5 (1d8 +2) and 2 Claws +4 (1d4+1/1d4 +1) Special Attacks: Breath Weapon Special Qualities: Drift Shift Saves: Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +1 Abilities: Str 14, Dex 18, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 6 Skills: Hide +10*, Move Silently +10 Feats: Weapon Focus(Bite), Weapon Finesse (claw) Environment: Cold Plains, Cold Forest Organization: Solitary or Pair Alignment: Always Nuetral CR: 3 Advancement: 4-7 HD (Medium) A large catlike creature materializes out of the snowbank in front of you. It is completely white, except for its eyes, which are a silver color. It hisses menacingly and pounces at you. Drift cats are cats that roam the snowy areas of the far north. They hunt caribou and seals, and have been known to attack the occasional unwary humanoid. They are often engaged in territorial conflicts with polar bears, but generally must yield to the bears greater hysical strength. Their fur is prized among nobles for its perfect color and soft silkiness. Description: Breath Weapon (Su): 3/day, 2d6 Cold, cone 20 feet. Drift Shift (Su): 5/day, shift from snow drift to snow drift as Shadow Jump of Shadowdancer.
Fencerboy 04-07-07, 03:35 PM	OK, I added alignment and descriptions, please give me some input here...:(
DebiHuman 04-07-07, 04:45 PM	Just curious as to why this creature has a breathe weapon? It's a little overpowering for a 3 HD critter. I like the Snow Drift but you should mention that it works thusly, "Snow Drift gives the Drift Cat the ability to travel between snow drifts as if by means of a dimension door spell." That way nobody has to look up Shadow Jump. Also, rather than limiting this ability to 5/day why not just make it at will? If you give this cat the Jump skill, it ties in with Snow Drift and it looks like it's a critter that plans from a distance before attacking. Also, since you mention Pounce in the description that would be a much a good special attack as would Rake. In fact, most cats have these abilities. Pounce (Ex): If a drift cat charges a foe, it can make a full attack, including two rake attacks. Rake (Ex): 1d2 Giving the cat fighter feats helps make it more formitable but I'm not sure that it really needs them. Giving it weapon focus and weapon finesse don't really add much to flavor of this creature and each only adds +1 to an attack roll. Due to its higher Dex, the Dodge Feat might be more effective. Also, it lives in a fairly harsh environment perhaps giving it the abilty to walk in ice and snow with ease would be more useful. Also you didn't mention how much of a bonus it gets for Hide though you put the asterisk there. Debby
R.M.G.C.L.F. 04-08-07, 05:34 PM	You can keep the breath weapon, but you might want to fill in some more. Add in the breath weapon DC and text regarding what happens if you save successfully. You made a little error in the attack listing. I think the claw damage should be 1d4+1/1d4+1, not 1d4/1d4+1/+1. Regarding the drift jump, you might want to specify what defines a snow drift, like size requirements. Why did you make these creatures sentient? Animal intelligence seems good enough for the behavior described, and there are already to many creatures that act like animals but have gratuitous abstract cogitation.
FreAkOuTRG 04-08-07, 07:26 PM	What is the range of Drift Shift?
Fencerboy 04-09-07, 11:49 AM	OK, I changed the Int score and typo on claw damage, other than that I will post descriptions and filler in a little while. Thanks for the PEACHes, anything else?
R.M.G.C.L.F. 04-09-07, 09:21 PM	We still don't have the reflex save dc for the breath weapon.