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Oct 8, 2012 -- 7:06PM, Orkbard wrote:

While there aren't a lot of good improvements in the bestiary, still can't hit, still die to easy, I like some of the rewordings and the one that really amused me is the Zombie Fortitude. "When a zombie takes damage that would reduce it to 0 hit points or fewer, it makes a Constitution saving throw with a DC equal to the damage. On a successful save, the zombie is instead reduced to 1 hit point."
This may not be a statistically great trait, but it amuses me to no end. I feel it does a lot to give the feeling the relentless zombie without having to throw a crap-ton of hit points into it, (which would be boring). One lucky zombie that won't go down even as the thing is reduced to a crawling, attacking arm. Seems like a little thing that would make a simple encounter memorable.

Other traits I like are the Orc's Relentless trait, the Ogre's Bruiser, Hobgoblin Leader's Commander, Formless, and the Gnoll Leader's Incite Blood Frenzy (and Blood Frenzy itself). These are definite improvements in the monsters. There is still a ton of work left to do, but they are on the right side of the road.

The Zombie has about a 40% to 60% chance of not dying, I'm not seeing how that is an 'oddity'...

Bruiser needs to be based on missing by 5 or less instead of rolling 5 or higher...

Most of them have flaws that will break the game like Rage being worthless unless they gain +8 to damage or more...

Oct 9, 2012 -- 3:13AM, Orzel wrote:

A single zombie could take out mabye a dozen commoners now.

Zombies, the new housecats.

Zombie Housecat?

Its such a little trait that could be ignored or played up to great effect and affect.
Want the PCs to mow through the zombie hordes, no problem ignore it.
Want to drive the PCs nuts with a few seemingly unkillable zombies, play the rule up and fudge the rolls. They'll never know. 
This trait amuses me so much. Zombies could actually be a frightening threat now. That zombie you cut in half in the last room wasn't defeated just slowed down and here it comes dragging itself up behind the Wizard or Cleric. 

Oct 9, 2012 -- 3:40AM, Plaguescarred wrote:

Oct 9, 2012 -- 12:25AM, lokiare wrote:

The Zombie has about a 40% to 60% chance of not dying

I am curious, how do you come to those statistic result with an undetermined variable DC save ?

Average damage for most characters is around 1d6 to 1d8 + 2d6 at 1st level which is at most 11.5 which means around 45.25% chance to save. At higher levels the Rogue can deal 1d8 + 6d6 average is 25.5 which means no chance to save. The clerics damage only goes up a bit at each level mostly its spell based damage which means the first time if it don't knock the thing out of the fight, it is going to be a 40%-60% chance for clerics except for spell use no matter what level they are.

Basically its a guesstimate based on the math...

Oct 10, 2012 -- 2:42PM, Rhenny wrote:

Oct 8, 2012 -- 7:06PM, Orkbard wrote:

This may not be a statistically great trait, but it amuses me to no end. I feel it does a lot to give the feeling the relentless zombie without having to throw a crap-ton of hit points into it, (which would be boring). One lucky zombie that won't go down even as the thing is reduced to a crawling, attacking arm. Seems like a little thing that would make a simple encounter memorable.

I agree.  How do you stop those things?  Shoot 'em in the head.   (A throwback to Night of the Living Dead)

Nope(save made), headless body still coming at you.