First of all - cracking art, pretty faithful to previous editions, and some nice new aspects. Kudos!
However, a couple of things I saw that caught my attention:
1. "Daemon warriors speak Comon and Infernal". Shouldn't that be Abyssal, as they are chaotic?
2. "Fly 60 ft. perfect" - I know this was a feature of the statblock in one of the past incarnations of this creature. But - it seems to have no wings, and uses fire dragons to fly around. There's no description of how it flies and I can't seem to see wings in the artwork either. Do they fold in like a beetle's? Or do they use some form of magic? What's the story?
Thanks
Simon Collins
Originally posted by Baron the Curse
If I may add to that I originally like the Blessed Weapon Weakness. But since Undead are immune to critical hits maybe is not appropriate. Just nick picking :D
It's explicitly mentioned because they suffer critical hits from blessed weapons (but not others).
Daemon warriors should speak Abyssal, yes. I think the reason Infernal is listed there is because that's the alphabet common to both the Infernal and Abyssal languages. Alternately, I goofed, etc.
Daemon warriors fly as part of their suite of fiendish undead powers. They don't ride fire dragons just for the transport; they ride them because fire dragons are incredibly scary servants of Chaos.
Cheers,
Cam
Also, since daemon warriors are made from the souls of the dead, shouldn't they be constructs? Just nitpicking, but it would make more sense...
Originally posted by Daedavias
I've always wondered why undead with clearly discernable anatomies, such as vampires, are not subject to critical hits. It makes sense for zombies and skeletons, since they aren't even close to being alive, but vampires and the like are still sentient and lobbing their head off should at least have a little bit of an affect on them.
In most cases undead don't have any special weakness to being stabbed or shot through what would be a vital spot to others. Their bodies, while animated, are still dead and don't perform bodily functions in the same manner as living creatures.
Also, since daemon warriors are made from the souls of the dead, shouldn't they be constructs? Just nitpicking, but it would make more sense...
Nope, no more than a wraith, mummy, spectre or ghost is a construct.
Cheers,
Cam
...still doesn't make sense that when a vampire's head is cut off it doesn't die.
Originally posted by Daedavias
*grumbles* I stand corrected
...still doesn't make sense that when a vampire's head is cut off it doesn't die.
A critical hit doesn't automatically translate to having one's head cut off. Many fighters and other tough heroes can be struck by critical hits from monsters and NPCs and their heads never fly off.
Save the head removal explanation for when you've done more damage than the vampire had left in hit points, and is destroyed. It's the finishing blow, in other words.
Cheers,
Cam
Originally posted by Daedavias
*grumbles* I stand corrected
...still doesn't make sense that when a vampire's head is cut off it doesn't die.
In Legend of Huma, Crynus' head is cut off and he doesn't die. :D
Are undead subject to coups de grace? That could pass for decapitation, right?
Originally posted by Cam Banks
It's explicitly mentioned because they suffer critical hits from blessed weapons (but not others).
Cheers,
Cam
The description doesn’t explicitly state that actually. It says characters that are bless or use a bless weapon score a critical threat on the Deamon Warrior with an increase weapon damage multiplier if confirm a critical. That’s alright, it’s just an exception to the rule, but that can get confusing to a new DM reading the Undead Traits, which they have being Extraplanar Undead. Which brings me to a second question, are their going to be unique Outsider Traits for Chaos minions?
Originally posted by Dragonhelm
In Legend of Huma, Crynus' head is cut off and he doesn't die. :D
HUSH! I will not be undermined by the likes of you, Dragonhelm!
:invasion:
Originally posted by Cam Banks
Daemon warriors fly as part of their suite of fiendish undead powers.
Thanks for that. So they effectively fly without wings (like someone under the effect of a fly spell), yes?. Not nitpicking, just want to make sure I describe 'em right.
Thanks
Simon Collins
Originally posted by SimonCollins
Thanks for that. So they effectively fly without wings (like someone under the effect of a fly spell), yes?. Not nitpicking, just want to make sure I describe 'em right.
The way I understand it, the Daemon Warrior morphs its form to make itself terrifying to its victim at the time. So for example if the victim was someone who experienced great torment by witnessing the destruction of Malystryx then it would probably have a red dragon's wings. If the victim was present during the sack of Palanthas, it would probably resemble a certain knight in fire-scorched armour. If a victim had once hung in a whisper spider's web, it might have long arachnid legs.
The thing is, a daemon warrior isn't really truly there. He exists just as much in the victim's mind as he does in reality, so he doesn't have a true form. He is medium size though. ;)
Originally posted by SimonCollins
Thanks for that. So they effectively fly without wings (like someone under the effect of a fly spell), yes?. Not nitpicking, just want to make sure I describe 'em right.
Exactly. One of the few benefits of being a tormented soul pressed into the service of a mad god.
Cheers,
Cam
Originally posted by Baron the Curse
The description doesn’t explicitly state that actually. It says characters that are bless or use a bless weapon score a critical threat on the Deamon Warrior with an increase weapon damage multiplier if confirm a critical.
Right. Anybody who hits one with a blessed weapon or under the effects of a bless spell automatically scores a critical threat, and the critical hit multiplier is increased by one. It could probably have been worded a little differently to make it clear that this is an exception to the usual rules for undead creatures, but that's how it works. It's also part of why these things aren't more than CR 4, since any 1st-level cleric or mystic can cast bless on somebody. Their weaknesses help to offset their otherwise scary traits.
Cheers,
Cam
Originally posted by Thyrwyn
Of course if your party doesn't have any clerics. . .
You have a favored soul of Habakkuk! Quit complaining!
I swear, no cleric and all of a sudden they start to get grumpy that I toss undead at them and leave them at half hit points for session after session...
Cheers,
Cam