Designer's Notes for the Dungeon Fantasy RPG bonus content

[PK]

Bonus Monster #1:
Fae Reaver

(Introduced in this EnWorld article.)

In a way, that entire article is already a designer's note for the fae reaver, so please be sure to read it. I like the way this monster turned out; it's a serious danger! The only viable options for killing it are area/explosive attacks or strong fighters with incredibly high skill. Archers are probably at the biggest disadvantage, but that's why a wide range of combat styles is necessary in a party. Your best bet is to get a cleric to hold it off via Turning while you prepare an appropriate assault, though the fae reaver is smart and will likely flee to attack another day.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by PK

The only viable options for killing it are area/explosive attacks or strong fighters with incredibly high skill.

Eh, there's always attack spam. A basic Knight with weapon master and Broadsword-20 can attack 3x/turn at skill 14, including dodge around 45% of attacks will hit, so 1.35 hits/round for 2.7 damage/round.

Hm. How does alchemist's fire work against swarms? Is it able to get direct hits?

[PK]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Eh, there's always attack spam. A basic Knight with weapon master and Broadsword-20 can attack 3x/turn at skill 14, including dodge around 45% of attacks will hit, so 1.35 hits/round for 2.7 damage/round.

Sure, but its Regeneration makes that frustrating. And since this isn't quite a boss monster, just a worthy one, there will probably either be a few of them or one flanked by other monsters.

If the GM wants to make the fae reaver into a boss, capable of taking on an entire party, he'll need to take advice from the notes and buff it up. ST 21, Regeneration (4 HP/round), and a necrotizing bite = serious boss threat.

Hm. How does alchemist's fire work against swarms? Is it able to get direct hits?

Thrown directly at the reaver, it'll just sail through or at best cause 2 HP burning damage. But if you throw it on the ground, the area-effect damage will hurt it normally.

[PK]

Bonus Monster #2:
Squirrel-pion

(Introduced in this Kickstarter update.)

If you've been following my After the End campaign posts, you're already familiar with these! If not, then enjoy these deceptively deadly little suckers. Their agility and armor-piercing tail make them a threat, and the cumulative penalty means that the neurotoxin is likely to get you eventually. For the record, my wasteland players managed to improvise a cage to catch a mess of squirrel-pions, milked them for poison, and then roasted them over an open fire. Thanks to a successful Cooking roll, they were delicious.

[sir_pudding]

I asked this in the other thread, but I can't figure out what the art for this or the Fel Reaver is doing there. Are the described monsters depicted and I'm just just not looking at the image correctly? Is the image just a placeholder to show where illustrations go on the monster entries in the book? Something else?

[PK]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

I asked this in the other thread, but I can't figure out what the art for this or the Fel Reaver is doing there. Are the described monsters depicted and I'm just just not looking at the image correctly? Is the image just a placeholder to show where illustrations go on the monster entries in the book? Something else?

These are bonus content monsters, both created not that long ago, so there was neither time nor budget to commission custom artwork depicting them. The art you see is not representative of the monsters, but is instead a preview of what you'll find in the Dungeon Fantasy RPG books.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by PK

These are bonus content monsters, both created not that long ago, so there was neither time nor budget to commission custom artwork depicting them. The art you see is not representative of the monsters, but is instead a preview of what you'll find in the Dungeon Fantasy RPG books.

That's what I figured ... except why have a picture at all? Do the monster entries in Exploits have an accompanying illustration that goes in that place in the layout?

[PK]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

That's what I figured ... except why have a picture at all?

Why not have one? Pictures are evocative of theme and feel, and thus an important part of any RPG book. Brandon's art does an excellent job (IMO) of conveying the "classic fantasy" vibe, and we want to make sure backers and potential customers can see that.

Do the monster entries in Exploits have an accompanying illustration that goes in that place in the layout?

Sorry, but I am not in the loop on DFRPG layout; with Kromm devoted almost 100% to this project right now, my current job is handling everything else. :)

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by PK

Why not have one?

I admit I have a strong preference for illustrative art over space-filling art, especially for creatures and gear

[Ternas]

Originally Posted by PK

Bonus Monster #2:
Squirrel-pion
. . .

Ok, I've got to ask the important question here. . .

What would this thing cost if I wanted to buy a tame one for a Pixie to ride? As an ally or otherwise?