Let's talk salamanders!
No, not these:
THESE!
Salamander Flame Frost
No. Enc: 1d4+1 (2d4) 1d3 (1d3)
AL: N C
Move: 120' (40') 120' (40')
AC: 2 3
HD: 8 12
Attacks: 3 5
(2claws/bite) (4claws/bite)
Dmg: 1d4/1d4/1d8 1d6 (each claw)/2d6
Save: F8 F12
Morale: 8 9
Flame: 12'-16' intelligent lizard-like elemental with four limbs. Scorching heat deals 1d8 damage per round (within 20'). Sleep & Charm do not work. Fire-based and non-magical weapons do not work.
Frost: Same as above except SIX limbs and cold-based.
(stats are LL based, but comparable to Cook Expert)
Now, unlike some previous entries, I don't think I need explain how these fellas are badass. I mean, come ON! Look at those hit dice! Look at that AC! Multiple attacks! You take 1d8 damage per round just for being within 20' of the thing! (That wimpy clerical resist fire or resist cold is looking pretty nice right now, huh?) They're intelligent, which means they can devise tactics and adapt to situations. Not to mention that you're always going to encounter at least two of the fire version BtB.
The fire-based ones are bad news, but that frost one? That's just NASTY!
It's worth noting that, according to some interpretations, protection from evil spells should keep the creatures from touching you (as "summoned"/extraplanar creatures), but that has no effect on the 1d8/round < 20' effect.
I think these things would actually make a great "boss" monster or final fight for a 4th-6th level party. That 5th level MU who's been so cocky since he got fireball is in for a nasty surprise!
Now, unlike some previous entries, I don't think I need explain how these fellas are badass. I mean, come ON! Look at those hit dice! Look at that AC! Multiple attacks! You take 1d8 damage per round just for being within 20' of the thing! (That wimpy clerical resist fire or resist cold is looking pretty nice right now, huh?) They're intelligent, which means they can devise tactics and adapt to situations. Not to mention that you're always going to encounter at least two of the fire version BtB.
The fire-based ones are bad news, but that frost one? That's just NASTY!
It's worth noting that, according to some interpretations, protection from evil spells should keep the creatures from touching you (as "summoned"/extraplanar creatures), but that has no effect on the 1d8/round < 20' effect.
I think these things would actually make a great "boss" monster or final fight for a 4th-6th level party. That 5th level MU who's been so cocky since he got fireball is in for a nasty surprise!
I've always considered Fire and Frost salamanders to be worthy opponents, and the fact that Erol Otus did a very cool picture of them certainly helps.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the book the Frost Salamander was from the Elemental plane of Earth - I normally associate cold with either water or air, but maybe my thinking isn't normal... But what sort of equivalents might you find on the Elemental planes of water and air? An electric eel-like salamander that generates a powerful voltage in a 20' radius - 1d8 electrical damage, or double damage if your wearing metal armour!
Nice article, and nice blog by the way.
Good point on the aura effects, it's something I often forget about, and that does make them really formidable as mid-level .boss monsters. It was always curious to me that Cook Expert put in the Frost Salamander, when it was never in AD&D, but I'm glad for it
ReplyDelete@Beedo,
ReplyDeleteMy understanding was that B/X (& BECMI) were never meant to mirror AD&D. They were a parallel product line.