Mind Flayers have a small Bag-o-Rats trick. - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Mind Flayers have a small Bag-o-Rats trick.

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
awaken_D_M_golem
Nov 15, 2010 17:35:07 Mind Flayers eat brains.
So long as they have a brain to eat while grabbed,
they get a recharge of their recharge abilities.
Chicken or Gerbils anyone?

Mind you, I'm well aware that 4e isn't supposed to have
bag of rats happening. The specific text in the DMG
refers to PCs, and legitimate targets.
Mind Flayers eat brains and it doesn't distiguish further.
So long as they have a brain "donor" to eat
.... it is a legitimate target.

Does this destroy the game?
No ... it extends a Mind Flayers combat capabilities
just a little longer. You could make them Elite into Solo.
The most likely case, is you don't do this in your home game.

And even if you did, Mind Flayers run short on food.
Just like everyone else. Especially on Dark Sun.
They get hungry for you. This is good fluff justification,
for a Mind Flayer to attack the PCs.
(evil grin)
#2
BilopTheFleshwarper
Nov 16, 2010 0:53:05 No reasonable DM should dig into thier butts that deep to increase the threat of a monster...

Mind flayer? A nearby string of dominated slaves... chickens... please...
#3
awaken_D_M_golem
Nov 19, 2010 15:23:08 Ah. Two good points.

Mind Flayers "should" have a small pool of slaves, carted around.
Minions make good Brunch, Dinner and Dessert !!
Eating a brain in the middle of combat, is like visiting a McD's drive through
Even if that brain comes from your side.

" ... No reasonable DM ... "
Well ... up the Mind Flayer to an elite or solo, or even the level.
The monster descriptions can't catch all the little details.
Why wouldn't a Mind Flayer try to defend itself to the best of it's (ugly) abilities?
When it does so, is a seperate issue, from what value is the monster.
#4
aumshantih
Nov 21, 2010 11:27:16 Believe me - Mind Flayers in 4E are deadly enough without giving them free brains to eat.

However, this still could be an interesting encounter.
Have the mindflayers show up with a few mind controlled followers. The PC's have to fight them, but after they see one getting brain eaten, it becomes more of a tactical/skill challenge to save their lives and keep the Mindflayers without their tasty tasty lunch.
#5
RalofTyr
Nov 21, 2010 15:40:51 Also, the fact that the player's are pscionic should add to the the Mind Flayer's desire to eat theri brains.

The brains of another psychic being should be a delicacy.
#6
awaken_D_M_golem
Nov 22, 2010 15:35:51 Heh ... although Battleminds are an acquired taste, a little too much "grissle" for some.
#7
big_goon
Nov 23, 2010 11:20:56 In retaliation, I've created a alchemical consumable for PCs to use to power their own psionic characters, great for the Athasian Minstrels who specialize in cannibalizing Aberrant parts:

Mindflayer Fizz (uncommon)
Level 8, 18, 28
(Consumable): Minor Action; If you have no remaining Power Points active, you may recharge 2 power point. Any aberrant creature hit by a power augmented by these power points takes 5 extra damage.
Level 18: 10 extra damage and the target is slowed (save ends).
Level 28: 15 extra damage and the target is restrained (save ends).
Note: if consumed by a character without power points, this potion instead gives the character ongoing 5 psychic and acid damage (save ends).
Level 18: ongoing 10.
Level 28: ongoing 15.

The brain of a mind flayer is a wonderful object of enormous power. Sky Salt amplifies the rhythmic pulse of the mind flayer's brain, while dreamworm makes it intoxicating to the Sunwarped spawn. Consuming this brain matter kick-starts powerful minds.
#8
603
Nov 23, 2010 15:59:05
In retaliation, I've created a alchemical consumable for PCs to use to power their own psionic characters, great for the Athasian Minstrels who specialize in cannibalizing Aberrant parts:

Mindflayer Fizz (uncommon)
Level 8, 18, 28
(Consumable): Minor Action; If you have no remaining Power Points active, you may recharge 2 power point. Any aberrant creature hit by a power augmented by these power points takes 5 extra damage.
Level 18: 10 extra damage and the target is slowed (save ends).
Level 28: 15 extra damage and the target is restrained (save ends).
Note: if consumed by a character without power points, this potion instead gives the character ongoing 5 psychic and acid damage (save ends).
Level 18: ongoing 10.
Level 28: ongoing 15.

The brain of a mind flayer is a wonderful object of enormous power. Sky Salt amplifies the rhythmic pulse of the mind flayer's brain, while dreamworm makes it intoxicating to the Sunwarped spawn. Consuming this brain matter kick-starts powerful minds.

It is by will alone I set my mind in motion.
It is by the juice of Saphoo (?) that thoughts acquire speed;
the lips acquire stains, the stains become a warning.
It is by will alone I set my mind in motion.

Sorry, just reading this gave me flashbacks to Piter's mentat mantra from the David Lynch Dune film. Looks like a great idea, and very much in keeping with the nastyness that is Athas.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 awaken_D_M_golem Nov 15, 2010 17:35:07	Mind Flayers eat brains. So long as they have a brain to eat while grabbed, they get a recharge of their recharge abilities. Chicken or Gerbils anyone? Mind you, I'm well aware that 4e isn't supposed to have bag of rats happening. The specific text in the DMG refers to PCs, and legitimate targets. Mind Flayers eat brains and it doesn't distiguish further. So long as they have a brain "donor" to eat .... it is a legitimate target. Does this destroy the game? No ... it extends a Mind Flayers combat capabilities just a little longer. You could make them Elite into Solo. The most likely case, is you don't do this in your home game. And even if you did, Mind Flayers run short on food. Just like everyone else. Especially on Dark Sun. They get hungry for you. This is good fluff justification, for a Mind Flayer to attack the PCs. (evil grin)
#2 BilopTheFleshwarper Nov 16, 2010 0:53:05	No reasonable DM should dig into thier butts that deep to increase the threat of a monster... Mind flayer? A nearby string of dominated slaves... chickens... please...
#3 awaken_D_M_golem Nov 19, 2010 15:23:08	Ah. Two good points. Mind Flayers "should" have a small pool of slaves, carted around. Minions make good Brunch, Dinner and Dessert !! Eating a brain in the middle of combat, is like visiting a McD's drive through Even if that brain comes from your side. " ... No reasonable DM ... " Well ... up the Mind Flayer to an elite or solo, or even the level. The monster descriptions can't catch all the little details. Why wouldn't a Mind Flayer try to defend itself to the best of it's (ugly) abilities? When it does so, is a seperate issue, from what value is the monster.
#4 aumshantih Nov 21, 2010 11:27:16	Believe me - Mind Flayers in 4E are deadly enough without giving them free brains to eat. However, this still could be an interesting encounter. Have the mindflayers show up with a few mind controlled followers. The PC's have to fight them, but after they see one getting brain eaten, it becomes more of a tactical/skill challenge to save their lives and keep the Mindflayers without their tasty tasty lunch.
#5 RalofTyr Nov 21, 2010 15:40:51	Also, the fact that the player's are pscionic should add to the the Mind Flayer's desire to eat theri brains. The brains of another psychic being should be a delicacy.
#6 awaken_D_M_golem Nov 22, 2010 15:35:51	Heh ... although Battleminds are an acquired taste, a little too much "grissle" for some.
#7 big_goon Nov 23, 2010 11:20:56	In retaliation, I've created a alchemical consumable for PCs to use to power their own psionic characters, great for the Athasian Minstrels who specialize in cannibalizing Aberrant parts: Mindflayer Fizz (uncommon) Level 8, 18, 28 (Consumable): Minor Action; If you have no remaining Power Points active, you may recharge 2 power point. Any aberrant creature hit by a power augmented by these power points takes 5 extra damage. Level 18: 10 extra damage and the target is slowed (save ends). Level 28: 15 extra damage and the target is restrained (save ends). Note: if consumed by a character without power points, this potion instead gives the character ongoing 5 psychic and acid damage (save ends). Level 18: ongoing 10. Level 28: ongoing 15. The brain of a mind flayer is a wonderful object of enormous power. Sky Salt amplifies the rhythmic pulse of the mind flayer's brain, while dreamworm makes it intoxicating to the Sunwarped spawn. Consuming this brain matter kick-starts powerful minds.
#8 603 Nov 23, 2010 15:59:05	In retaliation, I've created a alchemical consumable for PCs to use to power their own psionic characters, great for the Athasian Minstrels who specialize in cannibalizing Aberrant parts: Mindflayer Fizz (uncommon) Level 8, 18, 28 (Consumable): Minor Action; If you have no remaining Power Points active, you may recharge 2 power point. Any aberrant creature hit by a power augmented by these power points takes 5 extra damage. Level 18: 10 extra damage and the target is slowed (save ends). Level 28: 15 extra damage and the target is restrained (save ends). Note: if consumed by a character without power points, this potion instead gives the character ongoing 5 psychic and acid damage (save ends). Level 18: ongoing 10. Level 28: ongoing 15. The brain of a mind flayer is a wonderful object of enormous power. Sky Salt amplifies the rhythmic pulse of the mind flayer's brain, while dreamworm makes it intoxicating to the Sunwarped spawn. Consuming this brain matter kick-starts powerful minds. It is by will alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the juice of Saphoo (?) that thoughts acquire speed; the lips acquire stains, the stains become a warning. It is by will alone I set my mind in motion. Sorry, just reading this gave me flashbacks to Piter's mentat mantra from the David Lynch Dune film. Looks like a great idea, and very much in keeping with the nastyness that is Athas.