Brain Moles: Are they too strong for their CR? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Brain Moles: Are they too strong for their CR? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
kyeudo
11-12-07, 03:54 PM I'm planning a psionic themed adventure for a PbP game and I want to include brain moles in it, but looking at the brain moles psi-like abilities I get worried that the brain moles might drain my 1st level psionic PCs dry before they can find the brain moles.

Am I overreacting?
Deekin
11-12-07, 03:58 PM No. Please note the Display for draining PP.
Tempest Stormwind
11-12-07, 03:58 PM I'm planning a psionic themed adventure for a PbP game and I want to include brain moles in it, but looking at the brain moles psi-like abilities I get worried that the brain moles might drain my 1st level psionic PCs dry before they can find the brain moles.

Am I overreacting?

Sort of. Note that the visual display for Power Leech is a visible arc of energy between the target and the brain mole. Line of effect is still needed, so they can't be burrowing while draining.

This isn't 3e where their merest presence would result in you running out of power points (and likely Intelligence); they can be annoying but aren't too tough.
kyeudo
11-12-07, 04:09 PM It just seems like a pair of them can sap a disproportionate amount of resources. At 1st level a DC 15 will save is fairly hard, and each power point drained from a psychic warrior is a 1st level power they were counting on to buff for a difficult fight.

I guess I'll run a pair of brain moles as a "random" encounter and see how things pan out.
Scion of Coldshard
11-12-07, 05:09 PM Psychic warriors need more base pp anyway in my opinion ;)
Zathress
11-12-07, 07:34 PM Your thinking a bit to narrow minded for its CR
Sure for a 1st level psionic character its a bit of a hassle because of power leech but that only effects psionic characters. Even with out any PP, a 1st level psion stands a decent chance of taking one out and as noted the display would give away the mole's location.
AntiDjinn
11-13-07, 01:42 AM A lone low level psionic character could be in trouble; even a psychic warrior or soul knife who emerges without taking a single point of damage may be unable to focus and use his feats due to being out of power points. A brain mole encounter often hurts more for putting you behind on points for the rest of the day than for the damage you take in combat. Unless you are unlucky enough to actually get Cascade Flu. But remember that CR is balanced assuming a party, and the nonpsionic members of the party can just stomp the moles into oblivion and are not subject to the disease risk.

It certainly is a far cry from 3.0, when a brain mole ambush was as much a DM hoser for manifesters as a rust monster ambush was for the party fighter.

Also note that while the creature entry says Treasure: None, it is only because brain moles don't keep or use personal treasure. Since they prey on psionic beings, the area surrounding a Brain Mole warren should be littered with a few psionic items and assorted crystal paraphernalia. If the party manages to clean out a nest of them, and is diligent in searching the area, they could walk away with more to show for their trouble than the meager XP they get.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
kyeudo 11-12-07, 03:54 PM	I'm planning a psionic themed adventure for a PbP game and I want to include brain moles in it, but looking at the brain moles psi-like abilities I get worried that the brain moles might drain my 1st level psionic PCs dry before they can find the brain moles. Am I overreacting?
Deekin 11-12-07, 03:58 PM	No. Please note the Display for draining PP.
Tempest Stormwind 11-12-07, 03:58 PM	I'm planning a psionic themed adventure for a PbP game and I want to include brain moles in it, but looking at the brain moles psi-like abilities I get worried that the brain moles might drain my 1st level psionic PCs dry before they can find the brain moles. Am I overreacting? Sort of. Note that the visual display for Power Leech is a visible arc of energy between the target and the brain mole. Line of effect is still needed, so they can't be burrowing while draining. This isn't 3e where their merest presence would result in you running out of power points (and likely Intelligence); they can be annoying but aren't too tough.
kyeudo 11-12-07, 04:09 PM	It just seems like a pair of them can sap a disproportionate amount of resources. At 1st level a DC 15 will save is fairly hard, and each power point drained from a psychic warrior is a 1st level power they were counting on to buff for a difficult fight. I guess I'll run a pair of brain moles as a "random" encounter and see how things pan out.
Scion of Coldshard 11-12-07, 05:09 PM	Psychic warriors need more base pp anyway in my opinion ;)
Zathress 11-12-07, 07:34 PM	Your thinking a bit to narrow minded for its CR Sure for a 1st level psionic character its a bit of a hassle because of power leech but that only effects psionic characters. Even with out any PP, a 1st level psion stands a decent chance of taking one out and as noted the display would give away the mole's location.
AntiDjinn 11-13-07, 01:42 AM	A lone low level psionic character could be in trouble; even a psychic warrior or soul knife who emerges without taking a single point of damage may be unable to focus and use his feats due to being out of power points. A brain mole encounter often hurts more for putting you behind on points for the rest of the day than for the damage you take in combat. Unless you are unlucky enough to actually get Cascade Flu. But remember that CR is balanced assuming a party, and the nonpsionic members of the party can just stomp the moles into oblivion and are not subject to the disease risk. It certainly is a far cry from 3.0, when a brain mole ambush was as much a DM hoser for manifesters as a rust monster ambush was for the party fighter. Also note that while the creature entry says Treasure: None, it is only because brain moles don't keep or use personal treasure. Since they prey on psionic beings, the area surrounding a Brain Mole warren should be littered with a few psionic items and assorted crystal paraphernalia. If the party manages to clean out a nest of them, and is diligent in searching the area, they could walk away with more to show for their trouble than the meager XP they get.