04-30-2019, 11:03 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Aerlith
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Kraken MA
What is the MA of a kraken? This has been asked before here but not definitively answered, at least not that I've found.
There is no MA listed in ITL, but they are described as having slug-like bodies, so presumably have a gastropodal foot that allows for slow movement. I would estimate an MA of 2 or 4 at most. Are they intended to be completely sessile in their adult form, and that is why there is no MA? Or is it merely an omission? If I can get the official word on this it would be much appreciated. There is a kraken at the center of my next adventure. |
04-30-2019, 12:45 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: London Uk, but originally from Scotland
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Re: Kraken MA
I think it's intended to be a situational "ambush" monster, so MA isn't really important and its tentacles reach several hexes. You stumble across it's lair whilst searching for the submerged treasure or something like that. If the scenario you envisage requires it to move, then give it an MA. I'd say it would be slow, 4-6 maybe but maybe more in deep water.
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04-30-2019, 01:01 PM | #3 |
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Aerlith
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Re: Kraken MA
Yah, it won't need to move much in my setting, but I'm curious if it can move at all. Failing an official answer I'll probably give it a sluggish MA of 4. Just enough so that players don't feel like they are safely out of range at any point.
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04-30-2019, 01:03 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Pacheco, California
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Re: Kraken MA
From its hit points the Kraken is around three tons, while Earth's giant squids are only half ton critters with a five hex reach. This makes the main body of the Kraken at least four hexes. If it must stay near shore and submerged then it has to either be able to keep up with the tide or dig itself into the sand. MA 1, armor 6 isn't unreasonable.
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-HJC |
04-30-2019, 01:43 PM | #5 | |
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Arizona
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Re: Kraken MA
Quote:
Having said that, I only used it once, so the mechanics didn't get much of a work-out -- so I could easily live with Chris' guesstimate above as well. Really, if it can sneak up on you, you're in trouble; and if it can't you should be able to evade it as long as you don't come within its "reach" by accident (and there's only one of them...) |
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04-30-2019, 01:56 PM | #6 | |
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Aerlith
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Re: Kraken MA
Quote:
Oh, and the players would certainly be able to eventually "outrun" it in open water. This particular scenario I'm working is a more confined space. |
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05-01-2019, 12:21 AM | #8 | |
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Arizona
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Re: Kraken MA
Quote:
Not the way I think of them, but then, it's your campaign, after all. However, since that's the underlying theory, it kind of changes the possible answers in ways that were unavailable to us out here in forum-land when the question was first posed! ;-) |
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05-01-2019, 07:26 AM | #9 |
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Aerlith
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Re: Kraken MA
Yes. The description leaves a lot of blanks for one to fill in, so I'm not surprised that there would be differing interpretations. If it weren't for the description of the creature's body and the mention of a shell I would have just assumed the traditional "giant octopus" type of kraken. But those clue say, to me at least, that they are describing a quite different creature. Honestly, with the shell and the missing MA, it could just as easily be a giant barnacle. ^_^
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05-01-2019, 07:46 AM | #10 |
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Pacheco, California
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Re: Kraken MA
To fill in the missing bits....
The Kraken lives within a six point armored four hex shell (use the four hex dragon counter, but all side hexes are treated as rear hexes) and drags itself along the sea bottom by grabbing at things with its many tentacles. It moves one hex per turn by moving its head hex into one of its front hexes, and really doesn't care about engagement status. Once the tentacles drag a figure to its head hex it will bite in HTH for 3d with its beak. It can combine a beak attack with three tentacle attacks at no penalty. This preserves SJ's time counter instead of having the beast jump on top of each victim the moment they're grabbed. The only other twist I'd add is to make it blind and use sweeping blows with the tentacles to find folks to latch onto. Whataboutism: The necropus stays underwater and calls humans within range to apply the ring of Kraken control?
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-HJC Last edited by hcobb; 05-01-2019 at 08:17 AM. |
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