Talk:Nezna Beast (3.5e Creature)

Review / SGT

So, the SGT and Balancing act is still underway, but of note: The traditional party handles the Nezna Beast at CR 10 fairly well... until it begins using mind thrust.

According to the Phrenic template, which was a component of this creature (Dire Bear + Phrenic + Magical Beast + Feats and other minor changes), the creature's manifester level is equal to its HD for Psi-Like Abilities. According to Psi-Like Abilities, a creature automatically augments its abilities up to its manifester level, as if it were spending power points.

...What this means is that when this beast begins to use its three-per-day mind thrust, it dishes out 13d10 worth of mental damage, with only a Will Save DC 19 standing between you and your brain exploding. The Sorcerer got hit by it and immediately died twice over. --Jwguy (talk) 10:40, 5 October 2016 (MDT)

First Test Done; Sorcerer and Rogue both died, mostly due to getting their brains jellified by the above item. Otherwise, the party didn't have to use too many resources: An empowered lightning bolt from the Sorcerer, a few healing spells, and running about to keep the creature in check were the bulk of the fight. --Jwguy (talk) 10:57, 5 October 2016 (MDT)

Test number 2; All Party members survived, despite a few close calls with the fighter and cleric each taking a mind thrust. The sorcerer used two cantrips, two 1st, two 2nd, three 3rd and one fifth level spell over the course of the encounter, and no magic items/charges. The cleric used two 1st, five 3rd, and one 4th level spells, as well as 6 Turning Attempts (Extra Turning + Divine Metamagic + Empower Metamagic). The fighter mostly expended Hit Points (that were replenished), and the Rogue made several attempts to flank and ultimately successfully began sneak attacking.

This test was much more successful; The Nezna Beast used most of its Psi-Like Abilities, Psionic Fist, and Powerful Charge, so it was making the most of its power. Spells were having some trouble breaking through its resistance (presuming Magic-Psionic Transparency), but that is expected. Recommend changing type to Elemental, as it may closer resemble the creature's lore and provide some protection against sneak attack, which did the most damage in this test. --Jwguy (talk) 12:22, 5 October 2016 (MDT)

Post-Elemental Type Change Test, this also turned out to be a success. The sorcerer used two 1st, two 3rd, one 4th, and two 5th level spell slots and no magic item charges. The Cleric used one 1st, one 2nd, and one 3rd level spell slots, as well as four turning attempts (due to Divine Metamagic). While the fighter is now capable of doing better damage, armed with an adamantine weapon, the rogue has lost his major advantage due to the type change: sneak attack no longer works on the creature, even with Penetrating Strike. Mind Thrust remains a constant danger, but can be mitigated with some clever protections (Shield Other, anything that provides a bonus to Will Saves, or other miscellaneous effects, which is mostly relevant to rogues, or low wisdom arcanists - martial characters can absorb a hit of mind thrust and still have HP spare, usually.

I'll continue running some tests, but I'm pretty sure the creature is fitting nicely in its position on the CR tree. Might appear a little strong or a little weak on first glance (some of the abilities certainly appear powerful, and are, but do not end up being the party wiping powers they appear, and any powerful build can, in the long run, overpowered the creature). --Jwguy (talk) 15:44, 5 October 2016 (MDT)