Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 oldbenway Feb 05, 2010 0:40:15	Hey guys--I posted this in another thread as well, I am starting to run the single Eberron adventure, and while I am doing it, I am trying to convert the 3.5 adventure modules to 4e rules. My problem is, I have never played 3.5 and I have NO idea how to read the stat block. For example, in Shadows of the Last War, Elaydren d'Cannith is: Female Human Aristocrat 2/ sorcerer 2; CR 3; Medium Humanoid; HD 2d8+2d4; hp 17; init +5; Spd 30 ft.; AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 14; Base atk +2, the there's a list of her spells and a list of stats, and then skills and feats, languages, possessions. Most of this is pretty straightforward, but what the heck does "Aristocrat 2/ sorcerer 2; CR 3;" mean? The other things I can throw together a decent acreature in the monster tool, but what's with the 2/2/CR 3? Sorry for those of you that cringed when I write this, lol--I never played D&D until 4e, I was an ICE/MERP nerd back in the 80s. Thanks for any help! And if anyone's intersted, assuming it's OK with WOTC, I'll post my conversions as I finish them. I really do wish they would give all their books the treatment. Even a 5-page PDF with stat blocks for all the NPCs in Sharn: City of Towers would be a lot better than just releasing 2 books and a module and then moving on--I would not have bought the PH and DM guide for eberron if I knew it would be instant abandonware. -d
#2 Webster Feb 05, 2010 0:55:23	Those are the character levels. Aristocrat level 2/Sorcerer level 2, but the CR indicates the difficulty of the npc/monster. (CR stands for Challange rating.)
#3 durskut Feb 05, 2010 6:51:00	A bit more detail than what you may want, but the specific part you mention reads: "This character has two levels of the Aristocrat Non Play Character class, and two levels of the Sorcerer Player Character Class."  The Challenge Rating (CR) is means "this creature should be some challenge for 4 players of the CR level."  Normally, levels in a PC class = CR.  Non Player Character classes are not as powerful as Player Character classes, and the aristocrat is judged to be around 1/2 as powerful, thus two Aristocrat levels = 1 CR.  Add this to the 2 Sorcerer levels and you get the total CR of 3. The other thing (don't know if you riddled it out on your own) is the Flat Footed and Touch numbers. Flat Footed: You are less able to react if you are unaware of your attacker, generally only physical barriers can protect you.  Her stat block assumes she has cast mage armor which gives +4 to AC for a total of 14. Touch: If someone only needs to get a hand on you physical armor does not help prevent this at all.  She only gets to add her Dex Modifier to her AC. Going through the build an NPC steps (since you still can't make NPCs in any electronic tool yet, Grrrrr) I'd make these choices: Level 3 Human Wizard (Though original class is Sorcerer, her only spell to effect enemies (charm person) is very controller-y) Str: 10 Con: 11 Dex: 12 Int: 16 Wis: 13 Cha: 16 29 HP, 1 Surge AC: 12 Fort: 12 Ref: 15 Will: 16 Powers: Phantom Bolt, Arcane Bolt, Grease, Shield Skills: Arcana, Diplomacy Equip: Wand of Psychic Ravaging +1, Spellbook, Ritual Book, Healing Potion Rituals: Make Whole, Wizard's Curtain Notes: Least Mark of Making  Though if I were actually running her for that fight I'd probably just make her a minion to make things easy.  1 hit she goes down and stays down until the end of the battle.
#4 oldbenway Feb 05, 2010 23:35:49	Wow, thank you guys very much!!! Now it's time to get cracking on these conversions!