Fun Swarms! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Fun Swarms! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Kingrames
01-09-04, 03:05 PM Post here all the crazy and fun swarms you could throw at a party.

Here's one:

Squirrelwraiths!

each round, you take con drain and you can't hit back, because it's incorporeal.

the only way out is to incinerate the party with a fireball.
Haldstaff_Dundragon
01-09-04, 05:34 PM Orcish Horde
medium humanoid (orc, swarm)
Hit dice: 16d8+16 (88 hp)
Init: +0
Speed: 30'
AC: 13 (studded leather armor)
Base/grapple: +12/--
Attack: swarm (4d6)
Full attack: swarm (4d6)
S/R: 20'/0'
SA: distraction (f dc 19 or nauseated for 1 round)
SQ: darkvision 60', light sensitivity, swarm traits, full damage from weapons
Saves: F+13 R+7 W+5
Abilities: Str 17 Dex 11 Con 12 Int 8 Wis 7 Cha 6
Skills: listen+4 spot+4
Feats: alertness, skill focus(listen, spot), great fortitude, lightning reflexes, iron will
==============
Enviroment: temperate hills
CR: 8
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: often chaotic evil
Advancement:--
LA:--

Just the thing if your players want their characters to face an army when running all the orcs as individuals is the last thing you want to do.
ieattrollsforbreakfast
01-09-04, 06:38 PM An orc horde...nice.
A while ago somewhere on the boards someone suggested lycanthropes with a swarm animal form. When the moon is full, the creature explodes into a swarm of angry rats!
Haldstaff_Dundragon
01-09-04, 07:22 PM Thanks. I could work up a goblin horde pretty easily, too. 12 hd, takes up same space as a huge creature (the orcs filled a gargantuan space) and lower the damge, distraction save dc, and saves.
Heck, might as well.

Goblin Horde
small humanoid (goblinoid, swarm)
hd: 12d8+12 (66 hp)
init: +1
speed: 30'
AC 15 (+1 size, +1 dex, +2 leather, +1 light shield)
base/grapple: +9/--
attack: swarm (3d6)
full attack: swarm (3d6)
sa: distraction (f dc 17 negates)
sq: darkvision 60', swarm traits, full damage from weapons
saves: F+11 R+5 W+5
abilities: Str 11 Dex 13 Con 12 Int 10 Wis 9 Cha 6
skills: hide+5, listen+5, spot+5
feats: alertness, skill focus (listen, spot), great fortitude, iron will
=================
cr: 6
treasure: standard

EDIT: spelling errors and added monster stats
ieattrollsforbreakfast
01-10-04, 05:51 AM You know what would be really good? A troll swarm. A collosal swarm of regenerating giants would definately make me run and hide. For the regen, do you think it would be good to add the regeneration of all trolls together, since they are all regenerating. That would give....ooh lets say a regeneration of 60 or so (if there are 12 trolls).
I might have to do that...are there any particular formulae for working out the HD etc. of the swarm and its abilities etc. I couldnt find any construction guidelines in the MM3.5 or FF.
Haldstaff_Dundragon
01-10-04, 12:57 PM There aren't any published guidelines, I just compared the bat and bat swarm and the rat and rat swarm to figure out the stats. Swarms don't work completely like regular monsters, for instance, the AC is the same as a single creature (no size penalty) since you still have to hit one of the component creatures to deal damage. SA and SQ of the base creature doesn't change, either. So the regen would still be just 5. I'm not very good at placing epic CR's so 40 is a best guess. Final stats would look like this:

Troll Horde
large giant (swarm)
hit dice: 96d8+576+72 (1,080 hp)
init: +6 (+2 dex, +4 improved initiative)
speed: 30
AC: 16 (-1 size, +2 dex, +5 nat)
base/grapple: +72/--
attack: swarm (5d6)
full attack: swarm (5d6)
s/r: 30'/0'
sa: distraction (f dc 64 negates)
sq: darkvision 90', low-light vision, regeneration 5, scent, swarm traits, full damage from weapons
saves: f+58 r+36 w+33
abilities: Str 23 Dex 14 Con 23 Int 6 Wis 9 Cha 6
skills: listen+8 spot+9
feats: alertness, great fortitude, improved initiative, iron will, lightning reflexes, skill focus (listen, spot), toughness x24, track
cr: 40
Lord Tarran
01-10-04, 01:00 PM one word:

Frogs. Abyssal Dire Frogs.
Leagle
01-10-04, 01:54 PM Originally posted by Lord Tarran
one word:

Frogs. Abyssal Dire Frogs.

That's exactly what I came here to say...:D
Aeolius
01-10-04, 02:43 PM In my undersea campaign one PC is a sea haggle, a school of fish formed from the energies expelled from a hags' eye, when it's covey is simultaneously destroyed. Thus the PC is a Fine Damselfish Hivemind (Swarm, Aquatic) that I allow to progress as a sorcerer.
Mr.Waesel
01-10-04, 03:36 PM Originally posted by Haldstaff_Dundragon
There aren't any published guidelines, I just compared the bat and bat swarm and the rat and rat swarm to figure out the stats. Swarms don't work completely like regular monsters, for instance, the AC is the same as a single creature (no size penalty) since you still have to hit one of the component creatures to deal damage. SA and SQ of the base creature doesn't change, either. So the regen would still be just 5. I'm not very good at placing epic CR's so 40 is a best guess. Final stats would look like this:

Troll Horde
large giant (swarm)
hit dice: 96d8+576+72 (1,080 hp)
init: +6 (+2 dex, +4 improved initiative)
speed: 30
AC: 16 (-1 size, +2 dex, +5 nat)
base/grapple: +72/--
attack: swarm (5d6)
full attack: swarm (5d6)
s/r: 30'/0'
sa: distraction (f dc 64 negates)
sq: darkvision 90', low-light vision, regeneration 5, scent, swarm traits, full damage from weapons
saves: f+58 r+36 w+33
abilities: Str 23 Dex 14 Con 23 Int 6 Wis 9 Cha 6
skills: listen+8 spot+9
feats: alertness, great fortitude, improved initiative, iron will, lightning reflexes, skill focus (listen, spot), toughness x24, track
cr: 40

if you lower the HD the monster becomes more reasonable, because know the only thing going for it is it's outrageous amount of HD.
Haldstaff_Dundragon
01-10-04, 06:12 PM The aforementioned Abyssal Dire Frog would probably look something like this:

Abyssal Dire Frog Swarm
Tiny Magical Beast (Swarm)
Hit Dice: 12d10 (66 hp)
Initiative: +3 (Dex)
Speed: 15 ft., swim 20 ft.
AC: 15 (+2 size, +3 Dex)
Base/Grapple: +12/--
Attacks: Swarm (3d6 and poison)
Full Attack: Swarm (3d6 and poison)
Space/Reach: 10 ft. /0ft.
SQ: Poisonous, Hop, Keen senses, Resistances, SR 13, Swarm traits, 1/2 damage from slashing and piercing weapons
SA: Smite Good, Distraction (fort save dc 15 negates)
Saves: Fort +7, Ref +11, Will +7
Abilities: Str 2, Dex 16, Con 9, Int 3, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: Jump+12, Balance+10, Hide+14, Spot+6, Listen+6
Feats: Weapon finesse (Slam), Alertness, Skill focus (spot, listen), iron will

Climate/Terrain: Any land/underground
CR: 6
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always Chaotic Evil
Thomar_of_Uointer
01-10-04, 08:19 PM What are the stats for a sea haggle?

I think that that would be COOL!

I had a similar idea: A formian who would bond with whatever sentient humanoids it considered "friends", so that would use its hive mind ability with them.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kingrames 01-09-04, 03:05 PM	Post here all the crazy and fun swarms you could throw at a party. Here's one: Squirrelwraiths! each round, you take con drain and you can't hit back, because it's incorporeal. the only way out is to incinerate the party with a fireball.
Haldstaff_Dundragon 01-09-04, 05:34 PM	Orcish Horde medium humanoid (orc, swarm) Hit dice: 16d8+16 (88 hp) Init: +0 Speed: 30' AC: 13 (studded leather armor) Base/grapple: +12/-- Attack: swarm (4d6) Full attack: swarm (4d6) S/R: 20'/0' SA: distraction (f dc 19 or nauseated for 1 round) SQ: darkvision 60', light sensitivity, swarm traits, full damage from weapons Saves: F+13 R+7 W+5 Abilities: Str 17 Dex 11 Con 12 Int 8 Wis 7 Cha 6 Skills: listen+4 spot+4 Feats: alertness, skill focus(listen, spot), great fortitude, lightning reflexes, iron will ============== Enviroment: temperate hills CR: 8 Treasure: Standard Alignment: often chaotic evil Advancement:-- LA:-- Just the thing if your players want their characters to face an army when running all the orcs as individuals is the last thing you want to do.
ieattrollsforbreakfast 01-09-04, 06:38 PM	An orc horde...nice. A while ago somewhere on the boards someone suggested lycanthropes with a swarm animal form. When the moon is full, the creature explodes into a swarm of angry rats!
Haldstaff_Dundragon 01-09-04, 07:22 PM	Thanks. I could work up a goblin horde pretty easily, too. 12 hd, takes up same space as a huge creature (the orcs filled a gargantuan space) and lower the damge, distraction save dc, and saves. Heck, might as well. Goblin Horde small humanoid (goblinoid, swarm) hd: 12d8+12 (66 hp) init: +1 speed: 30' AC 15 (+1 size, +1 dex, +2 leather, +1 light shield) base/grapple: +9/-- attack: swarm (3d6) full attack: swarm (3d6) sa: distraction (f dc 17 negates) sq: darkvision 60', swarm traits, full damage from weapons saves: F+11 R+5 W+5 abilities: Str 11 Dex 13 Con 12 Int 10 Wis 9 Cha 6 skills: hide+5, listen+5, spot+5 feats: alertness, skill focus (listen, spot), great fortitude, iron will ================= cr: 6 treasure: standard EDIT: spelling errors and added monster stats
ieattrollsforbreakfast 01-10-04, 05:51 AM	You know what would be really good? A troll swarm. A collosal swarm of regenerating giants would definately make me run and hide. For the regen, do you think it would be good to add the regeneration of all trolls together, since they are all regenerating. That would give....ooh lets say a regeneration of 60 or so (if there are 12 trolls). I might have to do that...are there any particular formulae for working out the HD etc. of the swarm and its abilities etc. I couldnt find any construction guidelines in the MM3.5 or FF.
Haldstaff_Dundragon 01-10-04, 12:57 PM	There aren't any published guidelines, I just compared the bat and bat swarm and the rat and rat swarm to figure out the stats. Swarms don't work completely like regular monsters, for instance, the AC is the same as a single creature (no size penalty) since you still have to hit one of the component creatures to deal damage. SA and SQ of the base creature doesn't change, either. So the regen would still be just 5. I'm not very good at placing epic CR's so 40 is a best guess. Final stats would look like this: Troll Horde large giant (swarm) hit dice: 96d8+576+72 (1,080 hp) init: +6 (+2 dex, +4 improved initiative) speed: 30 AC: 16 (-1 size, +2 dex, +5 nat) base/grapple: +72/-- attack: swarm (5d6) full attack: swarm (5d6) s/r: 30'/0' sa: distraction (f dc 64 negates) sq: darkvision 90', low-light vision, regeneration 5, scent, swarm traits, full damage from weapons saves: f+58 r+36 w+33 abilities: Str 23 Dex 14 Con 23 Int 6 Wis 9 Cha 6 skills: listen+8 spot+9 feats: alertness, great fortitude, improved initiative, iron will, lightning reflexes, skill focus (listen, spot), toughness x24, track cr: 40
Lord Tarran 01-10-04, 01:00 PM	one word: Frogs. Abyssal Dire Frogs.
Leagle 01-10-04, 01:54 PM	Originally posted by Lord Tarran one word: Frogs. Abyssal Dire Frogs. That's exactly what I came here to say...:D
Aeolius 01-10-04, 02:43 PM	In my undersea campaign one PC is a sea haggle, a school of fish formed from the energies expelled from a hags' eye, when it's covey is simultaneously destroyed. Thus the PC is a Fine Damselfish Hivemind (Swarm, Aquatic) that I allow to progress as a sorcerer.
Mr.Waesel 01-10-04, 03:36 PM	Originally posted by Haldstaff_Dundragon There aren't any published guidelines, I just compared the bat and bat swarm and the rat and rat swarm to figure out the stats. Swarms don't work completely like regular monsters, for instance, the AC is the same as a single creature (no size penalty) since you still have to hit one of the component creatures to deal damage. SA and SQ of the base creature doesn't change, either. So the regen would still be just 5. I'm not very good at placing epic CR's so 40 is a best guess. Final stats would look like this: Troll Horde large giant (swarm) hit dice: 96d8+576+72 (1,080 hp) init: +6 (+2 dex, +4 improved initiative) speed: 30 AC: 16 (-1 size, +2 dex, +5 nat) base/grapple: +72/-- attack: swarm (5d6) full attack: swarm (5d6) s/r: 30'/0' sa: distraction (f dc 64 negates) sq: darkvision 90', low-light vision, regeneration 5, scent, swarm traits, full damage from weapons saves: f+58 r+36 w+33 abilities: Str 23 Dex 14 Con 23 Int 6 Wis 9 Cha 6 skills: listen+8 spot+9 feats: alertness, great fortitude, improved initiative, iron will, lightning reflexes, skill focus (listen, spot), toughness x24, track cr: 40 if you lower the HD the monster becomes more reasonable, because know the only thing going for it is it's outrageous amount of HD.
Haldstaff_Dundragon 01-10-04, 06:12 PM	The aforementioned Abyssal Dire Frog would probably look something like this: Abyssal Dire Frog Swarm Tiny Magical Beast (Swarm) Hit Dice: 12d10 (66 hp) Initiative: +3 (Dex) Speed: 15 ft., swim 20 ft. AC: 15 (+2 size, +3 Dex) Base/Grapple: +12/-- Attacks: Swarm (3d6 and poison) Full Attack: Swarm (3d6 and poison) Space/Reach: 10 ft. /0ft. SQ: Poisonous, Hop, Keen senses, Resistances, SR 13, Swarm traits, 1/2 damage from slashing and piercing weapons SA: Smite Good, Distraction (fort save dc 15 negates) Saves: Fort +7, Ref +11, Will +7 Abilities: Str 2, Dex 16, Con 9, Int 3, Wis 12, Cha 2 Skills: Jump+12, Balance+10, Hide+14, Spot+6, Listen+6 Feats: Weapon finesse (Slam), Alertness, Skill focus (spot, listen), iron will Climate/Terrain: Any land/underground CR: 6 Treasure: None Alignment: Always Chaotic Evil
Thomar_of_Uointer 01-10-04, 08:19 PM	What are the stats for a sea haggle? I think that that would be COOL! I had a similar idea: A formian who would bond with whatever sentient humanoids it considered "friends", so that would use its hive mind ability with them.