Some monsters have the wrong powers

[Halaster Blackcloak]

I was thinking about something the other day. Some monsters seem to have the wrong powers. For example, white dragons having cold breath weapons. Most of the other monsters who live in an arctic climate are immune to or at least resistant to cold, making the white dragon's breath weapon against them less than deadly. I'm wondering if in a way it would make more sense for it to have a fire breath weapon.

Does anyone else see what I'm getting at?

[Beowulf]

Yeah, you're right- some of them are pretty stupid. The supposed "game balance" is behind some of them, and maybe a lack of imagination is part of it, too. It makes no sense for a creature that lives in the cold to have a cold weapon!

In other cases it seems like the designer just pulled random powers out of the air.

[Tarrax Ironwolf]

My view about White dragons breath weapon is more for against non-arctic climate individuals (e.g., humans, elves, dwarves, etc.) As for creatures that are immune to frost based attacks, the ferocious claw and bite of a dragon is enough to make them think twice about even attempting to attack one. As for humanoids who don't benefit from frost immunity, the breath weapon makes the creature even more deadlier and a helluva lot scarier to deal with.

[Halaster Blackcloak]

I can see it both ways. It's just that at times I think "every major cold-dwelling monster has immunity to cold, but a cold-based attack form!".

Then again, I so love freezing PCs into popsicles with white dragon breath. White dragons may be my favorite.

[garhkal]

My view about White dragons breath weapon is more for against non-arctic climate individuals (e.g., humans, elves, dwarves, etc.) As for creatures that are immune to frost based attacks, the ferocious claw and bite of a dragon is enough to make them think twice about even attempting to attack one. As for humanoids who don't benefit from frost immunity, the breath weapon makes the creature even more deadlier and a helluva lot scarier to deal with.

And their fear aura generally keeps a lot of critters at bay.
BUT it does sound a little off cold dwellers who are immune/resistant to cold have cold attacks..

[Halaster Blackcloak]

I've strongly considered changing it to where creatures not harmed by cold still take damage from white dragon breath, only as if they had a ring of frost resistance or something. Reduced damage, but still take damage.

Garhkal, you are on a posting binge today!

[garhkal]

Well, when i joined back (after my long absence), i forgot where i left off, in going through old posts.. So thought i'd do a full run of all those in this spot.

[Halaster Blackcloak]

It's a good idea! Get some more discussion rolling. We gotta let some of the others from DF who weren't able to sign up in the past that they can do so now. Finally, we have the forum updated!

[McDeath]

Speaking of monsters, I stumbled upon this blog with monsters that can be used in old-school 1e, B/X, OD&D - https://savevsdragon.blogspot.com/searc ... ndium%20II

Creatures always fascinate me and there's no shortage out there. The B/W art looks pretty good.

[garhkal]

Have you decidd on a list of monsters you think have the WRONG power?? And come up with a chart to try and give them the RIGHT one??

[Halaster Blackcloak]

No, it seems like it would be a massive undertaking. I think the easiest solution is to simply rule that beings who are resistant to cold, for example, are not invulnerable to magical cold or the cold of monsters like white dragons. It's a difficult problem. It makes sense for white dragons to use frost breath, except that so many cold dwelling creatures are immune to that cold breath, so how could the dragon be the top predator given that situation? It's a mess.

[garhkal]

That is one reason i made my Dagons, so their BW was NOT LINKED to their scale color.

[McDeath]

There were certaintly articles about mixing up dragons in Dragon mag.