I am currently writing a homebrew one-shot and I need some help with a miniboss. She is a Fox Demon (this one-shot takes place in a Japanese palace in a China/Japan mashup country) who specializes in illusion and/or fire or at least I think she will. Is there a monster that already lies pretty close to this? I'm honestly thinking about just making a Human possibly Wizard character and just modifying the appearance and maybe adding on some Tabaxi features.
If you guys have any ideas I am open to hearing them. Thank you!
What CR are you thinking of? An illusionist is a safe bet for a low level game. But if you're playing in the higher levels, an arcanaloth sounds like an excellent fit.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
I'm thinking of making this a Level 8-10 game. I have never really used with the CR mostly since I'll change the boss to fit what is happening like if they are getting their buts handed to them or if things are going too well.
If you reduced some of the arcanaloth's spellcasting, perhaps down to... 5th level spells, you get a CR 8 to 10. When doing small tweaks like this, it's worth checking out the DMG's section on creating monsters and using their handy guides and tables.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
I think that Astro is right. Arcanaloth is a good bet. But remember that the cantrip minor illusion is a really really really good spell. Don't wanna be seen? Create a 5 by 5 feet log of wood and hide behind it. Or crates, or stones. Phantasmal killer from 3.0 is also a great spell, it's just way too powerful for 5e I think but I kinda miss it. But if she/he is an illusionist I would first up say that it would help the fox devil with traps all over. In my campaign we're up against a fey'ri illusionist wizard. And he has trapped the place to the ******* brim. Doors that are fake. Beholder illusions. Stairs that lead to an obviously illusion door and then it's just a wall but the only way out gets blocked. Stuff like that. If you wish I can make a list of all the things we have run into so far. ^^
I think that Astro is right. Arcanaloth is a good bet. But remember that the cantrip minor illusion is a really really really good spell. Don't wanna be seen? Create a 5 by 5 feet log of wood and hide behind it. Or crates, or stones. Phantasmal killer from 3.0 is also a great spell, it's just way too powerful for 5e I think but I kinda miss it. But if she/he is an illusionist I would first up say that it would help the fox devil with traps all over. In my campaign we're up against a fey'ri illusionist wizard. And he has trapped the place to the ******* brim. Doors that are fake. Beholder illusions. Stairs that lead to an obviously illusion door and then it's just a wall but the only way out gets blocked. Stuff like that. If you wish I can make a list of all the things we have run into so far. ^^
I think a reskinned and toned down arcanaloth would make a perfect CR 10 Kitsune.
Recommend alterations:
Lose the natural armor. Give it a DEX of 14 and the mage armor spell, bringing its battle AC to 15.
Lose the fly speed and give it the fly spell (it can still teleport anyway). Not as important, but if you have melee fighters they will appreciate.
For abilities, reduce INT by 2 or 3 and raise DEX by 2 and CHA by 1.
Lose the INT save.
Lose the acid and poison immunities including poisoned condition immunity.
Tone down the spellcasting to level 13 wizard (it will have 3 less spells prepared and no level 8 slot) and change some spells. More illusion spells like hallucinatory terrain and programmed illusion (which its lair should be full of). Wall of fire would also be thematically appropriate.
For actions, depoison the claws amd give it a bite with 2d6+3 damage and multiattack to use one of each (it will mostly be casting spells anyway).
I think that would put it at CR 10. Don't forget to reflavor spells, for example magic missile becomes 7 blue flames of a fox fire (not hot though). And don't forget to recalculate hit and DC if you change stats.
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I am currently writing a homebrew one-shot and I need some help with a miniboss. She is a Fox Demon (this one-shot takes place in a Japanese palace in a China/Japan mashup country) who specializes in illusion and/or fire or at least I think she will. Is there a monster that already lies pretty close to this? I'm honestly thinking about just making a Human possibly Wizard character and just modifying the appearance and maybe adding on some Tabaxi features.
If you guys have any ideas I am open to hearing them. Thank you!
What CR are you thinking of? An illusionist is a safe bet for a low level game. But if you're playing in the higher levels, an arcanaloth sounds like an excellent fit.
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
I'm thinking of making this a Level 8-10 game. I have never really used with the CR mostly since I'll change the boss to fit what is happening like if they are getting their buts handed to them or if things are going too well.
If you reduced some of the arcanaloth's spellcasting, perhaps down to... 5th level spells, you get a CR 8 to 10. When doing small tweaks like this, it's worth checking out the DMG's section on creating monsters and using their handy guides and tables.
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Noted thank you!
I think that Astro is right. Arcanaloth is a good bet. But remember that the cantrip minor illusion is a really really really good spell. Don't wanna be seen? Create a 5 by 5 feet log of wood and hide behind it. Or crates, or stones. Phantasmal killer from 3.0 is also a great spell, it's just way too powerful for 5e I think but I kinda miss it. But if she/he is an illusionist I would first up say that it would help the fox devil with traps all over. In my campaign we're up against a fey'ri illusionist wizard. And he has trapped the place to the ******* brim. Doors that are fake. Beholder illusions. Stairs that lead to an obviously illusion door and then it's just a wall but the only way out gets blocked. Stuff like that. If you wish I can make a list of all the things we have run into so far. ^^
You mean this phantasmal killer?
I think a reskinned and toned down arcanaloth would make a perfect CR 10 Kitsune.
Recommend alterations:
Lose the natural armor. Give it a DEX of 14 and the mage armor spell, bringing its battle AC to 15.
Lose the fly speed and give it the fly spell (it can still teleport anyway). Not as important, but if you have melee fighters they will appreciate.
For abilities, reduce INT by 2 or 3 and raise DEX by 2 and CHA by 1.
Lose the INT save.
Lose the acid and poison immunities including poisoned condition immunity.
Tone down the spellcasting to level 13 wizard (it will have 3 less spells prepared and no level 8 slot) and change some spells. More illusion spells like hallucinatory terrain and programmed illusion (which its lair should be full of). Wall of fire would also be thematically appropriate.
For actions, depoison the claws amd give it a bite with 2d6+3 damage and multiattack to use one of each (it will mostly be casting spells anyway).
I think that would put it at CR 10. Don't forget to reflavor spells, for example magic missile becomes 7 blue flames of a fox fire (not hot though). And don't forget to recalculate hit and DC if you change stats.