Awakened Wolverine [Archive] - Wizards Community

Awakened Wolverine [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Rabid Dire Wolverine
12-31-05, 09:43 PM I'm trying to make an awakened Wolverine, but the rules for playing an awakened creature are iffy at best.
1. It says in the awaken spell that you add 2 HD to the animal. Does this count as an advancement, and therefore raise my size to large?
2. Do I use the Wolverine's stats straight, or as modifiers? For example, would my strength be 14, or +4 to what I roll like other playable races? And would my CHA be 10+1d3 or what I roll+1d3?
3. What do you think the LA would be?

Thanks in advance, and Happy New Year!
Lyinginbedmon
12-31-05, 10:06 PM Well, I don't have the specific rules for playing Awakened creatures, I'm sure at least some of my experience might aid in deciding this:

1. It says in the awaken spell that you add 2 HD to the animal. Does this count as an advancement, and therefore raise my size to large?
I would rule not, it should just add +2d8 HD
2. Do I use the Wolverine's stats straight, or as modifiers? For example, would my strength be 14, or +4 to what I roll like other playable races? And would my CHA be 10+1d3 or what I roll+1d3?
The typical rules I've seen around say that the following modifiers would be added: +4 to Str & Dex, +7 to Con, and +2 to Wis
3. What do you think the LA would be?
I would say +2, since that's the CR, and it makes for a good ECL 5
Thorak
12-31-05, 10:24 PM I'm trying to make an awakened Wolverine, but the rules for playing an awakened creature are iffy at best.
1. It says in the awaken spell that you add 2 HD to the animal. Does this count as an advancement, and therefore raise my size to large?
No. Advancement is a very specific method of increasing HD. It doesn't cover all methods, by any means. Otherwise, PCs would grow to massive creatures over the course of their adventuring careers.
2. Do I use the Wolverine's stats straight, or as modifiers? For example, would my strength be 14, or +4 to what I roll like other playable races? And would my CHA be 10+1d3 or what I roll+1d3?
The monster stats are based on all 10s and 11s. The creature blocks are intended as average specimens. To determine what the adjustments would be, if the standard ability is even, subtract 10, if odd, 11. A Wolverine would thus have +4 Str, +4 Dex, +8 Con, +2 Wis, and +0 Cha. Int, obviously, is a straight 3d6, as per Awaken.

Yes, those are really good. Most animals' are. I'll deal with this in the next point.
3. What do you think the LA would be?
+0. For all animals without opposable thumbs. An Ape I would have to fiddle with, because it could actually almost be considered a proto-Humanoid. But for most Animals, no LA is fine; the lack of opposable thumbs and the much-reduced availability of magical gear and slots to wear it on are more than enough penalty to trade for the stats. For example, there's all kinds of skills I would give massive circumstance penalties to, without thumbs; there's no way you're picking locks as a Wolverine, or Healing, or any of that. You might be able to explain to someone else what to do, and give them a circumstance bonus if they have no training and it can be done untrained, but that's about it.

I've heard all the arguments, and I really don't see how an Awakened animal's going to be overpowering. Maybe strong at level 4-5, the first level your Wolverine could be around, either without a class, or as a 1st level whatever. But that strength will quickly fall behind. The other characters can wear gear they find; chances are you can't. And forget wielding weapons, really. Armor spikes on barding are about it, and I really doubt you'll randomly find enchanted wolverine spiked barding just lying around conveniently. Heck, my current party is level 5-6, and I'd pit any of them against this Wolverine, and expect them to win. I just don't see any reason for an LA; there are massive penalties that aren't visible in the stat block, but apparent once you consider it a bit.
Rabid Dire Wolverine
12-31-05, 10:33 PM Thanks, guys. However, Thorak, I might argue your point on thumbs, as there was a 3.0 weapon enhancement (+1) that let you wield it without prehensile digits, basically for use while wildshaped. With this, what do you suppose of LA?
Thorak
01-01-06, 12:57 AM Thanks, guys. However, Thorak, I might argue your point on thumbs, as there was a 3.0 weapon enhancement (+1) that let you wield it without prehensile digits, basically for use while wildshaped. With this, what do you suppose of LA?
Same difference.

You still have to go to the trouble of finding/getting that kind of weapon made. And you'll have a weaker weapon than anyone else. And will have other restrictions, like a complete inability to climb a rope, and a fairly high DC to do things like turn doorknobs.

It's not just weapons. Wrap your hands in duct tape for a day, and see how frustrated you are by the end of it.
Thurbane
01-01-06, 09:11 PM If you play an awakened wolverine, make sure he smokes cigars and calls everyone Bub... :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Rabid Dire Wolverine 12-31-05, 09:43 PM	I'm trying to make an awakened Wolverine, but the rules for playing an awakened creature are iffy at best. 1. It says in the awaken spell that you add 2 HD to the animal. Does this count as an advancement, and therefore raise my size to large? 2. Do I use the Wolverine's stats straight, or as modifiers? For example, would my strength be 14, or +4 to what I roll like other playable races? And would my CHA be 10+1d3 or what I roll+1d3? 3. What do you think the LA would be? Thanks in advance, and Happy New Year!
Lyinginbedmon 12-31-05, 10:06 PM	Well, I don't have the specific rules for playing Awakened creatures, I'm sure at least some of my experience might aid in deciding this: 1. It says in the awaken spell that you add 2 HD to the animal. Does this count as an advancement, and therefore raise my size to large? I would rule not, it should just add +2d8 HD 2. Do I use the Wolverine's stats straight, or as modifiers? For example, would my strength be 14, or +4 to what I roll like other playable races? And would my CHA be 10+1d3 or what I roll+1d3? The typical rules I've seen around say that the following modifiers would be added: +4 to Str & Dex, +7 to Con, and +2 to Wis 3. What do you think the LA would be? I would say +2, since that's the CR, and it makes for a good ECL 5
Thorak 12-31-05, 10:24 PM	I'm trying to make an awakened Wolverine, but the rules for playing an awakened creature are iffy at best. 1. It says in the awaken spell that you add 2 HD to the animal. Does this count as an advancement, and therefore raise my size to large? No. Advancement is a very specific method of increasing HD. It doesn't cover all methods, by any means. Otherwise, PCs would grow to massive creatures over the course of their adventuring careers. 2. Do I use the Wolverine's stats straight, or as modifiers? For example, would my strength be 14, or +4 to what I roll like other playable races? And would my CHA be 10+1d3 or what I roll+1d3? The monster stats are based on all 10s and 11s. The creature blocks are intended as average specimens. To determine what the adjustments would be, if the standard ability is even, subtract 10, if odd, 11. A Wolverine would thus have +4 Str, +4 Dex, +8 Con, +2 Wis, and +0 Cha. Int, obviously, is a straight 3d6, as per Awaken. Yes, those are really good. Most animals' are. I'll deal with this in the next point. 3. What do you think the LA would be? +0. For all animals without opposable thumbs. An Ape I would have to fiddle with, because it could actually almost be considered a proto-Humanoid. But for most Animals, no LA is fine; the lack of opposable thumbs and the much-reduced availability of magical gear and slots to wear it on are more than enough penalty to trade for the stats. For example, there's all kinds of skills I would give massive circumstance penalties to, without thumbs; there's no way you're picking locks as a Wolverine, or Healing, or any of that. You might be able to explain to someone else what to do, and give them a circumstance bonus if they have no training and it can be done untrained, but that's about it. I've heard all the arguments, and I really don't see how an Awakened animal's going to be overpowering. Maybe strong at level 4-5, the first level your Wolverine could be around, either without a class, or as a 1st level whatever. But that strength will quickly fall behind. The other characters can wear gear they find; chances are you can't. And forget wielding weapons, really. Armor spikes on barding are about it, and I really doubt you'll randomly find enchanted wolverine spiked barding just lying around conveniently. Heck, my current party is level 5-6, and I'd pit any of them against this Wolverine, and expect them to win. I just don't see any reason for an LA; there are massive penalties that aren't visible in the stat block, but apparent once you consider it a bit.
Rabid Dire Wolverine 12-31-05, 10:33 PM	Thanks, guys. However, Thorak, I might argue your point on thumbs, as there was a 3.0 weapon enhancement (+1) that let you wield it without prehensile digits, basically for use while wildshaped. With this, what do you suppose of LA?
Thorak 01-01-06, 12:57 AM	Thanks, guys. However, Thorak, I might argue your point on thumbs, as there was a 3.0 weapon enhancement (+1) that let you wield it without prehensile digits, basically for use while wildshaped. With this, what do you suppose of LA? Same difference. You still have to go to the trouble of finding/getting that kind of weapon made. And you'll have a weaker weapon than anyone else. And will have other restrictions, like a complete inability to climb a rope, and a fairly high DC to do things like turn doorknobs. It's not just weapons. Wrap your hands in duct tape for a day, and see how frustrated you are by the end of it.
Thurbane 01-01-06, 09:11 PM	If you play an awakened wolverine, make sure he smokes cigars and calls everyone Bub... :D