Talk:Skunk (5e Creature)

Spray

Gawain (talk) 18:06, 16 June 2021 (EDT)

That is horribly overpowered even for a low save. RNG could take a player or enemy out of the fight for a few rounds which is worse than disadvantage.

It probably could just be the poisoned condition instead of absolute debilitation. Not so accurate anyways, I speak from secondhand experience, firsthand being my dog. --SwankyPants (talk) 13:49, 20 June 2021 (MDT)

Gawain (talk) 11:20, 19 June 2021 (EDT)

Now I am kind of torn on the subject. Thus far I have only found one published version no one likes because it is from a non-WOtC source. It seems there is a homebrew that is popular with the circle of GMs we play with;

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• Skunk* Tiny beast, unaligned

Armor Class: 11

Hit Points 1 (1d4-1)

Speed: 30 ft., burrow 5 ft.

STR 2 (-4) DEX 13 (+1) CON 9 (-1) INT 2 (-4) WIS 12 (+1) CHA 2 (-4)

Skills: Intimidation +6, Perception +5, Stealth +4

Senses: darkvision 30 ft., passive Perception 15

Languages: –

Challenge: 0 (10 XP)

• Special Traits

• Startling Presence

Each creature of the skunk's choice that is within 120 feet of the Skunk and aware of it must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or become Frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, then the creature is immune to the skunk's Startling Presence for the next 24 hours.

• Bite

Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 piercing damage.

• Musk

Ranged Attack, (Recharge 4–6), +3 to hit, range 10/20ft., one target. Hit: the target must succeed on a DC12 Dexterity or take on the Stench trait. This effect lasts until the target takes a short rest where they bathe.

• Stench

Any creature that starts its turn within 5 ft. of the Skunk must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or be Poisoned until the start of its next turn. This effect also applies to any creature musked by a Skunk. Creatures who do breathe are immune to this effect.

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Gawain (Continued)

As a druid I have played both versions many times just to determine effectiveness. Musk / Stench procs 15% more often than Spray, however, if the Skunk does not win both init and succeed in the first hit then it simply poofs due to low AC and HP. The Startling Presence only mildly helps the form last more than one round, because anything that passes the save can easily kill the skunk. I have tried this with and without other targets as a distraction, but again both versions the skunk is practically helpless against ranged attacks. Now I will grant you, this is not intended for combat forms, but it would make a good familiar. I still have my reservations as to if either version is OP. Compared to the house cat it questions why anyone would not take on a skunk, other than, cuddling the dame thing should affect all on your social skills.

This version on the wiki seems more reasonable either way. Getting frightened is kinda weird, and you'd have to have a really weak stomach to actually fail the save, hence DC 9. Either way, I'm going to have to ask you to not edit other people's posts. That's a big no-no. --SwankyPants (talk) 13:49, 20 June 2021 (MDT)

Gawain (talk) 16:58, 20 June 2021 (EDT)

All I did was move your name stamp to the front of your message as I have seen many do on this site. In fact, another person corrected me on this point about a year ago, saying Name first is the moderator's preferred method, and I would hope they were correct because they were moderating at the time. "Unless everyone follows a logical format it becomes difficult to read and more work to determine which point belongs to whom." As of late, it has gotten a little lax, as I have seen a few people do it your way. Honestly, IMHO it is less clear to read. Just like a message board, I feel your name should proceed your reply, because it is not a signature. Look at your last post. It looks like a run-on of my commit with your tag at the end. That will only confuse other readers.

Back to the Skunk; I don't much care for the fear effect either but I kind of get it. 5e cut out so many of the condition status that would be appropriate for this creature. Sickened or Shaken would be far better. Now the only way to sicken someone is to poison them, and the only fear effect is Frightening presence. In some way 5e over simplified itself.

One point my GM made is "There is a difference between real life and plausibly functional in D&D." Your version lacks a bite attack so after it's one spray a day it just waits around to die? That is not plausible. I live in skunk country. I have seen them spray multiple times, in succession. If it to be a "D&D" skunk then it should at least have a bite attack as an alternate base attack and a Recharge of 4-5 or 5-6 allowing it more uses of the spray ability.

Skunks aren't particularly known for their bites, as far as I know, nor do they really fight back. They just spray and hope you ditch. Of course, anyone can make unarmed attacks, so it's really unimportant. I reckon the recharge is to just avoid abuse, with potential rapid debilitation. --SwankyPants (talk) 15:40, 20 June 2021 (MDT)

Gawain (talk) 17:56, 20 June 2021 (EDT)

So you did not write this up? What was your source? And, yes they do bit. My brother has a scar to prove it.

I didn't make this page, no. Never said they don't bite, but when I think of skunks, I don't think of how bad their chompers are. Same deal with squirrels biting through hands. If you really want to give it a bite attack, go ahead. --SwankyPants (talk) 16:07, 20 June 2021 (MDT)

Gawain (talk) 10:48, 21 June 2021 (EDT)

When I think of a Dire Wolf I don't think "Dang that fur would make good Natural Armor" but they get it all the same. Nearly everything has some way to attack every round without having to rely on an unarmed attack. The exception being a Sea Horse. A lot of 5e beast have attack bonuses that defy normal mechanics. This is to make them viable. Distances of range attacks are exaggerated a little bit because they have to compete with spells and mechanics that don't fit IRL. I did not get that at first but it makes more sense now. What I thought was OP was actually underpowered from a 5e perspective. That is why a Squirrel has a (+3) to its bite. If it had to rely on an unarmed attack it would take a (-4).