Flight in Echelon

I thought I’d take a look at flight. It’s a pretty common ability, even in real life. It should be possible for creatures to fly.

Fairly close again, I think. 75% of the creatures can pay for their flight out of the slots available at their tier, and it’s not that hard to come up with supplementary talents to fill out where they don’t quite fit.  I can easily account for a bit better than 90% of the flying monsters from the RSRD.

As you might expect, outsiders and creatures with the Air or Incorporeal subtypes are the most problematic… but still reconcilable.

Flight Matrix

I devised this matrix of creature sizes and flight maneuverability, used to match size, maneuverability, and talent slot.

Flight Talent

You have a flight speed equal to your base speed. The cost is equal to the tier indicated in the intersection between your size and the maneuverability.

Perfect Good Average Poor Clumsy
Fine Basic Basic Basic Basic Basic
Diminutive Expert Basic Basic Basic Basic
Tiny Heroic Expert Basic Basic Basic
Small Master Heroic Expert Basic Basic
Medium Champion Master Heroic Expert Basic
Large Legendary Champion Master Heroic Expert
Huge Epic Legendary Champion Master Heroic
Gargantuan Epic+ Epic Legendary Champion Master
Colossal Epic++ Epic+ Epic Legendary Champion

Tiny creatures being able to fly with average maneuverability is a Basic talent. Many birds have it, for example. As creatures get bigger, they are either clumsier fliers (if they keep to the same tier for the talent – a Medium creature with Basic flight is going to be clumsy) or more fantastic fliers (paying a higher-tier slot – a Medium creature with average maneuverability needs to pay an Heroic slot for the ability).

RSRD Monsters and Flight

I built a chart of all flying monsters from the RSRD (ignoring templates) and worked out the talent slot that would be needed for the combination of their size and maneuverability (see farther below for the full chart, ordered by monster). Of the 217 monsters entered, 152 could have their base flight ability satisfied by a slot of a tier no higher than the creature’s. This leaves 55 that require a slot that is higher than the creature has available based on its level.

Monsters with Flight ‘Too Good’

Monster CR Tier Size Flight Base Speed Flight Tier Difference
Elemental, Air, Huge

7

Heroic Huge Perfect

0

100

Epic

4

Arrowhawk, Elder

8

Heroic Large Perfect

0

60

Legendary

3

Belker

6

Heroic Large Perfect

30

50

Legendary

3

Elemental, Air, Medium

3

Expert Medium Perfect

0

100

Champion

3

Elemental, Air, Large

5

Heroic Large Perfect

0

100

Legendary

3

Elemental, Air, Greater

9

Master Huge Perfect

0

100

Epic

3

Elemental, Air, Elder

11

Master Huge Perfect

0

100

Epic

3

Genie, Djinni

5

Heroic Large Perfect

20

60

Legendary

3

Genie, Efreeti

8

Heroic Large Perfect

20

40

Legendary

3

Genie, Janni

4

Expert Medium Perfect

30

20

Champion

3

Invisible Stalker

7

Heroic Large Perfect

30

30

Legendary

3

Wasp, Giant

3

Expert Large Good

20

60

Champion

3

Allip

3

Expert Medium Perfect

0

30

Champion

2

Arrowhawk, Adult

5

Heroic Medium Perfect

0

60

Champion

2

Bee, Giant

1

Expert Medium Good

20

80

Master

2

Bralani

6

Heroic Medium Perfect

40

100

Champion

2

Dire Bat

2

Expert Large Good

20

40

Champion

2

Eagle, Giant

3

Expert Large Average

10

80

Master

2

Elemental, Air, Small

1

Expert Small Perfect

0

100

Master

2

Griffon

4

Expert Large Average

30

80

Master

2

Hippogriff

2

Expert Large Average

50

100

Master

2

Mephit, Air

3

Expert Small Perfect

30

60

Master

2

Mephit, Dust

3

Expert Small Perfect

30

50

Master

2

Mephit, Ice

3

Expert Small Perfect

30

50

Master

2

Nightmare

5

Heroic Large Good

40

90

Champion

2

Ogre Mage

8

Heroic Large Good

40

40

Champion

2

Owl, Giant

3

Expert Large Average

10

70

Master

2

Pegasus

3

Expert Large Average

60

120

Master

2

Ravid

5

Heroic Medium Perfect

20

60

Champion

2

Roc

9

Master Gargantuan Average

20

80

Legendary

2

Shadow

3

Expert Medium Good

0

40

Master

2

Spectre

7

Heroic Medium Perfect

40

80

Champion

2

Spider Eater

5

Heroic Large Good

30

60

Champion

2

Archon, Lantern

2

Expert Small Perfect

0

60

Master

2

Arrowhawk, Juvenile

3

Expert Small Perfect

0

60

Master

2

Cloaker

5

Heroic Large Average

10

40

Master

1

Couatl

10

Master Large Good

20

60

Champion

1

Demon, Quasit

2

Expert Tiny Perfect

20

50

Heroic

1

Devil, Erinyes

8

Heroic Medium Good

30

50

Master

1

Devil, Imp

2

Expert Tiny Perfect

20

50

Heroic

1

Eagle

0.5

Basic Small Average

10

80

Expert

1

Harpy

4

Expert Medium Average

20

80

Heroic

1

Lammasu

8

Heroic Large Average

30

60

Master

1

Lillend

7

Heroic Large Average

20

70

Master

1

Nightmare, Cauchemar

11

Master Large Good

40

90

Champion

1

Nightshade, Nightwing

14

Champion Huge Good

20

60

Legendary

1

Praying Mantis, Giant

3

Expert Large Poor

20

40

Heroic

1

Rast

5

Heroic Medium Good

5

60

Master

1

Shadow, Greater

8

Heroic Medium Good

0

40

Master

1

Sprite, Pixie

4

Expert Small Good

20

60

Heroic

1

Vargouille

2

Expert Small Good

0

30

Heroic

1

Will-O’-Wisp

6

Heroic Small Perfect

0

50

Master

1

Wraith

5

Heroic Medium Good

0

60

Master

1

Wraith, Dread

11

Master Large Good

0

60

Champion

1

Yrthak

9

Master Huge Average

20

60

Champion

1

Frequency of Deviation

Tiers Too High Frequency
1 20
2 23
3 11
4 1

Examination

Even a superficial examination shows that most of the creatures that don’t fit the planned pattern have flight as a major component of their role. Many are incorporeal, don’t have a land speed at all, or are outsiders and/or have the Air subtype. In other words, it may well be reasonable that they be so unusually good at flying.

Resolution

I have several avenues to resolve the discrepancies above.

First, I could just downgrade the creatures’ flight. Sure, an air elemental is a being of air, but I’ve noticed that tornadoes aren’t noted for being very agile. Hard to predict their line of travel, perhaps, but they aren’t terribly nimble. I’ll certainly hold this as an option.

Second, I could shift the creatures’ tier up. In some cases the difference between the creature’s tier and the slot tier needed for the indicated flight maneuverability is small and the creature is already near the tier boundary (Erinyes, Eagle, Harpy, Lammasu, Greater Shadow, and Pixie are all within one level of the correct tier). This isn’t really common enough to be a good solution, I think – just over 10% of the problem cases).

Third, use the Flight talent presented above a starting point, and have additional talents improve the maneuverability. Similar talents can adjust the flying speed. This is probably the best solution, in part because the creatures in question have their flight as a major element of their abilities.

Fourth, make improved flight maneuverability a benefit of having the Air or Incorporeal subtypes. I suppose this is kind of like using the Improved Flight talent described below, but it’s bundled with other aspects of being an Air creature. Increasing maneuverability by one step per tier might take care of a lot of these.

Of course, all of the above can be combined. The Elder Arrowhawk above (CR 8, Heroic Creature, with the equivalent of Legendary Flight) could take Heroic Improved Flight (increasing his maneuverability two steps, to Champion), increasing his flight to almost what is described in the RSRD. Giving him one more level gives him a Master slot for Flight, then Heroic Improved Flight gets him the additional maneuverability needed. Or I might just downgrade him a little, does he really need Perfect flight?

Additional Flight Talents

Improved Flight Talent

You must have Flight at the same or higher tier than you take Improved Flight.

Tier Benefit
Expert Your flight maneuverability is increased by one step.
Heroic Your flight maneuverability is increased by two steps.
Master Your flight maneuverability is increased by three steps.
Champion Your flight maneuverability is increased by four steps.

Faster Flight

You can fly faster than indicated by the Flight talent. You must have Flight at the same or higher tier than you Faster Flight.

Tier Benefit
Basic Your flight speed is twice your base speed (or base speed for your size, if you have no land speed).
Expert Your flight speed is three times your base speed (or base speed for your size, if you have no land speed).
Heroic Your flight speed is four times your base speed (or base speed for your size, if you have no land speed).
Master Your flight speed is five times your base speed (or base speed for your size, if you have no land speed).
Champion Your flight speed is six times your base speed (or base speed for your size, if you have no land speed).
Legendary Your flight speed is seven times your base speed (or base speed for your size, if you have no land speed).

Flight speeds are often higher than base speeds. This might be a silly tax, and it may be simpler to give higher flight speed either as a function of maneuverability (agile fliers get higher speed) or of tier (gargantuan dragons are clumsy fliers, but they go fast… in a straight line).

Conclusion

Again, not a perfect fit. That I can get 75% of them straight out is a good sign, with another 10% or so close and 10% more… not too far off. Between them I’ve got probably 90% or so that can be corrected through the use of an additional talent (Improved Flight, or Air or Incorporeal subtypes, depending what I do). If I need to add a third talent (Greater Flight) so creatures with such a significant aspect of their power being flight and mobility can pay for this, I’m okay with it. I have a number of ways of dealing with creatures that don’t quite fit, so while this isn’t as great a fit as the Silver Dragon stuff was yesterday I’m fairly happy with it.

Maybe tomorrow I’ll look into statting up Air Elementals. It shouldn’t take too long, they really don’t have much going for them other than mobility.

Appendix: Full List of Flying Creatures

Monster CR Tier Size Flight Base Speed Flight Tier Difference
Allip

3

Expert Medium Perfect

0

30

Champion

2

Angel, Astral Deva

14

Champion Medium Good

50

100

Master

-1

Angel, Planetar

16

Champion Large Good

30

90

Champion

0

Angel, Solar

23

Epic Large Good

50

150

Champion

-2

Archon, Lantern

2

Expert Small Perfect

0

60

Master

2

Archon, Trumpet

14

Champion Medium Good

40

90

Master

-1

Arrowhawk, Adult

5

Heroic Medium Perfect

0

60

Champion

2

Arrowhawk, Elder

8

Heroic Large Perfect

0

60

Legendary

3

Arrowhawk, Juvenile

3

Expert Small Perfect

0

60

Master

2

Avoral

9

Master Medium Good

40

90

Master

0

Bat

0.1

Basic Diminutive Good

5

40

Basic

0

Bee, Giant

1

Expert Medium Good

20

80

Master

2

Belker

6

Heroic Large Perfect

30

50

Legendary

3

Bralani

6

Heroic Medium Perfect

40

100

Champion

2

Chimera

7

Heroic Large Poor

30

50

Heroic

0

Cloaker

5

Heroic Large Average

10

40

Master

1

Cockatrice

3

Expert Small Poor

20

60

Basic

-1

Couatl

10

Master Large Good

20

60

Champion

1

Darkmantle

1

Expert Small Poor

20

30

Basic

-1

Demon, Balor

20

Legendary Large Good

40

90

Champion

-1

Demon, Nalfeshnee

14

Champion Huge Poor

30

40

Master

-1

Demon, Quasit

2

Expert Tiny Perfect

20

50

Heroic

1

Demon, Succubus

7

Heroic Medium Average

30

50

Heroic

0

Demon, Vrock

9

Master Large Average

30

50

Master

0

Devil, Erinyes

8

Heroic Medium Good

30

50

Master

1

Devil, Horned (Cornugon)

16

Champion Large Average

20

50

Master

-1

Devil, Imp

2

Expert Tiny Perfect

20

50

Heroic

1

Devil, Pit Fiend

20

Legendary Large Average

40

60

Master

-2

Dire Bat

2

Expert Large Good

20

40

Champion

2

Dragon, Blue, Wyrmling

3

Expert Small Average

40

100

Expert

0

Dragon, Black, Wyrmling

3

Expert Tiny Average

60

100

Basic

-1

Dragon, Black, Very Young

4

Expert Small Average

60

100

Expert

0

Dragon, Blue, Very Young

4

Expert Medium Poor

40

150

Expert

0

Dragon, Black, Young

5

Heroic Medium Poor

60

150

Expert

-1

Dragon, Blue, Young

6

Heroic Medium Poor

40

150

Expert

-1

Dragon, Blue, Juvenile

8

Heroic Large Poor

40

150

Heroic

0

Dragon, Black, Juvenile

7

Heroic Medium Poor

60

150

Expert

-1

Dragon, Black, Young Adult

9

Master Large Poor

60

150

Heroic

-1

Dragon, Blue, Young Adult

11

Master Large Poor

40

150

Heroic

-1

Dragon, Black, Adult

11

Master Large Poor

60

150

Heroic

-1

Dragon, Blue, Adult

14

Champion Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-1

Dragon, Black, Mature Adult

14

Champion Huge Poor

60

150

Master

-1

Dragon, Blue, Mature Adult

16

Champion Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-1

Dragon, Black, Old

16

Champion Huge Poor

60

150

Master

-1

Dragon, Blue, Old

18

Legendary Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-2

Dragon, Black, Very Old

18

Legendary Huge Poor

60

150

Master

-2

Dragon, Blue, Very Old

19

Legendary Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-2

Dragon, Black, Ancient

19

Legendary Huge Poor

60

150

Master

-2

Dragon, Blue, Ancient

21

Epic Gargantuan Clumsy

40

200

Master

-3

Dragon, Black, Wyrm

20

Legendary Gargantuan Clumsy

60

150

Master

-2

Dragon, Blue, Wyrm

23

Epic Gargantuan Clumsy

40

200

Master

-3

Dragon, Black, Great Wyrm

22

Epic Gargantuan Clumsy

60

200

Master

-3

Dragon, Blue, Great Wyrm

25

Epic+ Gargantuan Clumsy

40

200

Master

-4

Dragon, Brass, Wyrmling

3

Expert Tiny Average

60

150

Basic

-1

Dragon, Brass, Very Young

4

Expert Small Average

60

150

Expert

0

Dragon, Brass, Young

6

Heroic Medium Poor

60

200

Expert

-1

Dragon, Brass, Juvenile

8

Heroic Medium Poor

60

200

Expert

-1

Dragon, Brass, Young Adult

10

Master Large Poor

60

200

Heroic

-1

Dragon, Brass, Adult

12

Master Large Poor

60

200

Heroic

-1

Dragon, Brass, Mature Adult

15

Champion Huge Poor

60

200

Master

-1

Dragon, Brass, Old

17

Legendary Huge Poor

60

200

Master

-2

Dragon, Brass, Very Old

19

Legendary Huge Poor

60

200

Master

-2

Dragon, Brass, Ancient

20

Legendary Huge Poor

60

200

Master

-2

Dragon, Brass, Wyrm

21

Epic Gargantuan Clumsy

60

250

Master

-3

Dragon, Brass, Great Wyrm

23

Epic Gargantuan Clumsy

60

250

Master

-3

Dragon, Bronze, Wyrmling

3

Expert Small Average

40

100

Expert

0

Dragon, Bronze, Very Young

5

Heroic Medium Poor

40

150

Expert

-1

Dragon, Bronze, Young

7

Heroic Medium Poor

40

150

Expert

-1

Dragon, Bronze, Juvenile

9

Master Large Poor

40

150

Heroic

-1

Dragon, Bronze, Young Adult

12

Master Large Poor

40

150

Heroic

-1

Dragon, Bronze, Adult

15

Champion Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-1

Dragon, Bronze, Mature Adult

17

Legendary Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-2

Dragon, Bronze, Old

19

Legendary Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-2

Dragon, Bronze, Very Old

20

Legendary Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-2

Dragon, Bronze, Ancient

22

Epic Gargantuan Clumsy

40

200

Master

-3

Dragon, Bronze, Wyrm

23

Epic Gargantuan Clumsy

40

200

Master

-3

Dragon, Bronze, Great Wyrm

25

Epic+ Gargantuan Clumsy

40

200

Master

-4

Dragon, Copper, Wyrmling

3

Expert Tiny Average

40

100

Basic

-1

Dragon, Copper, Very Young

5

Heroic Small Average

40

100

Expert

-1

Dragon, Copper, Young

7

Heroic Medium Poor

40

150

Expert

-1

Dragon, Copper, Juvenile

9

Master Medium Poor

40

150

Expert

-2

Dragon, Copper, Young Adult

11

Master Large Poor

40

150

Heroic

-1

Dragon, Copper, Adult

14

Champion Large Poor

40

150

Heroic

-2

Dragon, Copper, Mature Adult

16

Champion Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-1

Dragon, Copper, Old

19

Legendary Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-2

Dragon, Copper, Very Old

20

Legendary Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-2

Dragon, Copper, Ancient

22

Epic Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-3

Dragon, Copper, Wyrm

23

Epic Gargantuan Clumsy

40

200

Master

-3

Dragon, Copper, Great Wyrm

25

Epic+ Gargantuan Clumsy

40

200

Master

-4

Dragon, Gold, Wyrmling

5

Heroic Medium Poor

60

200

Expert

-1

Dragon, Gold, Very Young

7

Heroic Large Poor

60

200

Heroic

0

Dragon, Gold, Young

9

Master Large Poor

60

200

Heroic

-1

Dragon, Gold, Juvenile

11

Master Large Poor

60

200

Heroic

-1

Dragon, Gold, Young Adult

14

Champion Huge Poor

60

200

Master

-1

Dragon, Gold, Adult

16

Champion Huge Poor

60

200

Master

-1

Dragon, Gold, Mature Adult

19

Legendary Huge Poor

60

200

Master

-2

Dragon, Gold, Old

21

Epic Gargantuan Clumsy

60

250

Master

-3

Dragon, Gold, Very Old

22

Epic Gargantuan Clumsy

60

250

Master

-3

Dragon, Gold, Ancient

24

Epic Gargantuan Clumsy

60

250

Master

-3

Dragon, Gold, Wyrm

25

Epic+ Colossal Clumsy

60

250

Champion

-3

Dragon, Gold, Great Wyrm

27

Epic+ Colossal Clumsy

60

250

Champion

-3

Dragon, Green, Wyrmling

3

Expert Small Average

40

100

Expert

0

Dragon, Green, Very Young

4

Expert Medium Poor

40

150

Expert

0

Dragon, Green, Young

5

Heroic Medium Poor

40

150

Expert

-1

Dragon, Green, Juvenile

8

Heroic Large Poor

40

150

Heroic

0

Dragon, Green, Young Adult

11

Master Large Poor

40

150

Heroic

-1

Dragon, Green, Adult

13

Champion Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-1

Dragon, Green, Mature Adult

16

Champion Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-1

Dragon, Green, Old

18

Legendary Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-2

Dragon, Green, Very Old

19

Legendary Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-2

Dragon, Green, Ancient

21

Epic Gargantuan Clumsy

40

200

Master

-3

Dragon, Green, Wyrm

23

Epic Gargantuan Clumsy

40

200

Master

-3

Dragon, Green, Great Wyrm

25

Epic+ Gargantuan Clumsy

40

200

Master

-4

Dragon, Red, Wyrmling

4

Expert Medium Poor

40

150

Expert

0

Dragon, Red, Very Young

5

Heroic Large Poor

40

150

Heroic

0

Dragon, Red, Young

7

Heroic Large Poor

40

150

Heroic

0

Dragon, Red, Juvenile

10

Master Large Poor

40

150

Heroic

-1

Dragon, Red, Young Adult

13

Champion Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-1

Dragon, Red, Adult

15

Champion Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-1

Dragon, Red, Mature Adult

18

Legendary Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-2

Dragon, Red, Old

20

Legendary Gargantuan Clumsy

40

200

Master

-2

Dragon, Red, Very Old

21

Epic Gargantuan Clumsy

40

200

Master

-3

Dragon, Red, Ancient

23

Epic Gargantuan Clumsy

40

200

Master

-3

Dragon, Red, Wyrm

24

Epic Gargantuan Clumsy

40

200

Master

-3

Dragon, Red, Great Wyrm

26

Epic+ Gargantuan Clumsy

40

200

Master

-4

Dragon, Silver, Wyrmling

4

Expert Small Average

40

100

Expert

0

Dragon, Silver, Very Young

5

Heroic Medium Poor

40

150

Expert

-1

Dragon, Silver, Young

7

Heroic Medium Poor

40

150

Expert

-1

Dragon, Silver, Juvenile

10

Master Large Poor

40

150

Heroic

-1

Dragon, Silver, Young Adult

13

Champion Large Poor

40

150

Heroic

-2

Dragon, Silver, Adult

15

Champion Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-1

Dragon, Silver, Mature Adult

18

Legendary Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-2

Dragon, Silver, Old

20

Legendary Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-2

Dragon, Silver, Very Old

21

Epic Huge Poor

40

150

Master

-3

Dragon, Silver, Ancient

23

Epic Gargantuan Clumsy

40

200

Master

-3

Dragon, Silver, Wyrm

24

Epic Gargantuan Clumsy

40

200

Master

-3

Dragon, Silver, Great Wyrm

26

Epic+ Gargantuan Clumsy

40

200

Master

-4

Dragon, White, Wyrmling

2

Expert Tiny Average

60

150

Basic

-1

Dragon, White, Very Young

3

Expert Small Average

60

150

Expert

0

Dragon, White, Young

4

Expert Medium Poor

60

200

Expert

0

Dragon, White, Juvenile

6

Heroic Medium Poor

60

200

Expert

-1

Dragon, White, Young Adult

8

Heroic Large Poor

60

200

Heroic

0

Dragon, White, Adult

10

Master Large Poor

60

200

Heroic

-1

Dragon, White, Mature Adult

12

Master Huge Poor

60

200

Master

0

Dragon, White, Old

15

Champion Huge Poor

60

200

Master

-1

Dragon, White, Very Old

17

Legendary Huge Poor

60

200

Master

-2

Dragon, White, Ancient

18

Legendary Huge Poor

60

200

Master

-2

Dragon, White, Wyrm

19

Legendary Gargantuan Clumsy

60

250

Master

-2

Dragon, White, Great Wyrm

21

Epic Gargantuan Clumsy

60

260

Master

-3

Dragonne

7

Heroic Large Poor

40

30

Heroic

0

Eagle

0.5

Basic Small Average

10

80

Expert

1

Eagle, Giant

3

Expert Large Average

10

80

Master

2

Elemental, Air, Small

1

Expert Small Perfect

0

100

Master

2

Elemental, Air, Medium

3

Expert Medium Perfect

0

100

Champion

3

Elemental, Air, Large

5

Heroic Large Perfect

0

100

Legendary

3

Elemental, Air, Huge

7

Heroic Huge Perfect

0

100

Epic

4

Elemental, Air, Greater

9

Master Huge Perfect

0

100

Epic

3

Elemental, Air, Elder

11

Master Huge Perfect

0

100

Epic

3

Gargoyle

4

Expert Medium Average

40

60

Heroic

-1

Genie, Djinni

5

Heroic Large Perfect

20

60

Legendary

3

Genie, Efreeti

8

Heroic Large Perfect

20

40

Legendary

3

Genie, Janni

4

Expert Medium Perfect

30

20

Champion

3

Ghaele

13

Champion Medium Perfect

50

150

Champion

0

Griffon

4

Expert Large Average

30

80

Master

2

Harpy

4

Expert Medium Average

20

80

Heroic

1

Harpy Archer

11

Master Medium Average

20

80

Heroic

-1

Hawk

0.3

Basic Tiny Average

10

60

Basic

0

Hippogriff

2

Expert Large Average

50

100

Master

2

Homunculus

1

Expert Tiny Good

20

50

Expert

0

Inevitable, Zelekhut

9

Master Large Average

50

60

Master

0

Invisible Stalker

7

Heroic Large Perfect

30

30

Legendary

3

Lammasu

8

Heroic Large Average

30

60

Master

1

Lammasu, Golden Protector

13

Champion Large Average

30

60

Master

-1

Lillend

7

Heroic Large Average

20

70

Master

1

Manticore

5

Heroic Large Clumsy

30

50

Expert

-1

Mephit, Air

3

Expert Small Perfect

30

60

Master

2

Mephit, Dust

3

Expert Small Perfect

30

50

Master

2

Mephit, Earth

3

Expert Small Average

30

40

Expert

0

Mephit, Fire

3

Expert Small Average

30

50

Expert

0

Mephit, Ice

3

Expert Small Perfect

30

50

Master

2

Mephit, Magma

3

Expert Small Average

30

50

Expert

0

Mephit, Ooze

3

Expert Small Average

30

50

Expert

0

Mephit, Salt

3

Expert Small Average

30

40

Expert

0

Mephit, Steam

3

Expert Small Average

30

50

Expert

0

Mephit, Water

3

Expert Small Average

30

40

Expert

0

Nightmare

5

Heroic Large Good

40

90

Champion

2

Nightmare, Cauchemar

11

Master Large Good

40

90

Champion

1

Nightshade, Nightwalker

16

Champion Huge Poor

40

20

Master

-1

Nightshade, Nightwing

14

Champion Huge Good

20

60

Legendary

1

Ogre Mage

8

Heroic Large Good

40

40

Champion

2

Owl

0.25

Basic Tiny Average

10

40

Basic

0

Owl, Giant

3

Expert Large Average

10

70

Master

2

Pegasus

3

Expert Large Average

60

120

Master

2

Praying Mantis, Giant

3

Expert Large Poor

20

40

Heroic

1

Pseudodragon

1

Expert Tiny Good

15

60

Expert

0

Rast

5

Heroic Medium Good

5

60

Master

1

Raven

0.16

Basic Tiny Average

10

40

Basic

0

Ravid

5

Heroic Medium Perfect

20

60

Champion

2

Roc

9

Master Gargantuan Average

20

80

Legendary

2

Shadow

3

Expert Medium Good

0

40

Master

2

Shadow, Greater

8

Heroic Medium Good

0

40

Master

1

Spectre

7

Heroic Medium Perfect

40

80

Champion

2

Sphinx, Androsphinx

9

Master Large Poor

50

80

Heroic

-1

Sphinx, Criosphinx

7

Heroic Large Poor

30

60

Heroic

0

Sphinx, Gynosphinx

8

Heroic Large Poor

40

60

Heroic

0

Sphinx, Hieracosphinx

5

Heroic Large Poor

30

90

Heroic

0

Spider Eater

5

Heroic Large Good

30

60

Champion

2

Sprite, Grig

1

Expert Tiny Poor

20

40

Basic

-1

Sprite, Pixie

4

Expert Small Good

20

60

Heroic

1

Stirge

0.5

Basic Tiny Average

10

40

Basic

0

Vargouille

2

Expert Small Good

0

30

Heroic

1

Wasp, Giant

3

Expert Large Good

20

60

Champion

3

Will-O’-Wisp

6

Heroic Small Perfect

0

50

Master

1

Wraith

5

Heroic Medium Good

0

60

Master

1

Wraith, Dread

11

Master Large Good

0

60

Champion

1

Wyvern

6

Heroic Large Poor

20

60

Heroic

0

Yrthak

9

Master Huge Average

20

60

Champion

1

5 Comments

  1. GreyKnight

    Works pretty well, great stuff. I like that you related manoeuvrability to size, it’s basically the common-sense approach (no idea why D&D proper doesn’t apply this when increasing monster size). I agree that the “Improved Flight” talents are probably the best way to resolve most of your outliers.

    I suppose that — if I wanted to be a huge nerd about it — manoeuvrability should depend on *mass* (and hence Huge air elementals are manoeuvrable because they aren’t that *dense*), but considering most creatures have about the same density it’d be a whole lot more work for the same outcome. Luckily, nobody involved with role-playing games is a huge nerd. ;-)

  2. Nothing quite so cool, though I’ve done some preliminary work on natural attacks.

    Crunch time on my project at work (going into client UAT… two weeks ahead of schedule) and some personal changes (diet, exercise, sleep), plus shifting schedules for the kids (martial arts, soccer, school stuff) have caused my time to be somewhat limited the last week or two.

    Getting better, though. Once the UAT starts I’m more or less hands off unless things break in a big way; I’ve already booked off Thursday and Friday this week. I should be able to get some more material written soon.

  3. Relating maneuverability to size was the only way I could make it work, to be honest. Too many animals (generally low-tier creatures) have the ability to fly for me to have the talent at too high a tier, but medium creatures flying at all is mildly incredible in real life.

    So, I compromised. Medium creatures can do so as a Basic talent, but really not very well. I picture human-sized creatures with big, big wings that can hardly get off the ground, and can’t corner well at all. Tiny creatures, on the other hand, can fly ‘normally’ (average maneuverability) at this tier, and that seems right.

    As an Heroic ability (levels 5-8), though, it’s not out of place. Yes, it’s a ‘permanent ability’ (unlike the spell), but you’re paying a permanent cost. I’m okay with this.

    Come to that, the spell gives better maneuverability and speed… but can be dispelled. Spell is ‘better’, but limited duration. Again, I’m okay with this.

    Of course, the more I work on Echelon, the more I become comfortable with player characters being awesome.

    Which is something I’m *more* than okay with.

  4. Pingback: Dragons in Echelon, Part 7: Heroic Red Dragons | Echelon d20 - An RPG framework based on the d20 system.

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