Sean Merwin

And so threats like this CR24 monster, it sounds great until everybody makes their saving throw every time.

And so threats like this CR24 monster, it sounds great until everybody makes their saving throw every time.

I want to talk about the vampire familiar for a second. Cool. Because I thought, again, like the Empyrean iota, I thought this was a great story concept. We didn't have a Renfield-type monster with vampires. So I was happy to see this, that the vampire familiar is not a familiar as we think of them going with wizards.

I want to talk about the vampire familiar for a second. Cool. Because I thought, again, like the Empyrean iota, I thought this was a great story concept. We didn't have a Renfield-type monster with vampires. So I was happy to see this, that the vampire familiar is not a familiar as we think of them going with wizards.

thralls of a vampire who are humanoid, not undead, but humanoids, but who have this connection to the vampire and allow the vampire to do things through this familiar without actually being there. And so there are many times when we've told stories in previous editions of D&D, including 2014, where we sort of had to rely on the vampire spawn, which is okay except they're undead.

thralls of a vampire who are humanoid, not undead, but humanoids, but who have this connection to the vampire and allow the vampire to do things through this familiar without actually being there. And so there are many times when we've told stories in previous editions of D&D, including 2014, where we sort of had to rely on the vampire spawn, which is okay except they're undead.

And they ding, ding, ding under scrutiny. Whereas this vampire familiar shouldn't. And I love that. I love that story-wise. I love that there's the ability to do that now. Sadly, within two years, everyone is going to have the stat block memorized. And so they will search for the umbral dagger that the vampire familiar has. But, you know.

And they ding, ding, ding under scrutiny. Whereas this vampire familiar shouldn't. And I love that. I love that story-wise. I love that there's the ability to do that now. Sadly, within two years, everyone is going to have the stat block memorized. And so they will search for the umbral dagger that the vampire familiar has. But, you know.

It's a vampire familiar. Let's talk about it. What does this monster do? It's a CR 3 monster, armor class of 15, and its dex is only plus 3. But we don't get I don't think under gear we only get daggers, so I'm not sure where the extra plus two is coming from, but hey, I'm fine with that. It has darkvision even though it's a humanoid. Very stealthy and has good perception.

It's a vampire familiar. Let's talk about it. What does this monster do? It's a CR 3 monster, armor class of 15, and its dex is only plus 3. But we don't get I don't think under gear we only get daggers, so I'm not sure where the extra plus two is coming from, but hey, I'm fine with that. It has darkvision even though it's a humanoid. Very stealthy and has good perception.

But its main trait is this vampire connection. So while the familiar and its vampire master are on the same plane, the vampire can communicate with the familiar telepathically, and the vampire can perceive through the familiar senses. I.e., the vampire can see you. And give you instructions.

But its main trait is this vampire connection. So while the familiar and its vampire master are on the same plane, the vampire can communicate with the familiar telepathically, and the vampire can perceive through the familiar senses. I.e., the vampire can see you. And give you instructions.

Yeah, it can give the familiar instructions, but it can see you play your character. The vampire has eyes on you. Now, if you give the vampire spells that rely on you being able to see, you have some interesting ways to interact.

Yeah, it can give the familiar instructions, but it can see you play your character. The vampire has eyes on you. Now, if you give the vampire spells that rely on you being able to see, you have some interesting ways to interact.

The only thing that I'm sad about is that it's a CR3 creature. So I'm like, okay, that's tough. That's not a pushover. It's not a guard, right? It's not a bandit. And it gets two attacks with its umbral dagger, which it can obviously throw or use in melee. But it does seven points of necrotic damage.

The only thing that I'm sad about is that it's a CR3 creature. So I'm like, okay, that's tough. That's not a pushover. It's not a guard, right? It's not a bandit. And it gets two attacks with its umbral dagger, which it can obviously throw or use in melee. But it does seven points of necrotic damage.

What's that? Plus five piercing. Oh, sorry. Five piercing plus seven necrotic. Okay. So that's good. And the target is reduced. If the target is reduced to zero hit points, it becomes stable and has the poison condition for one hour. And it's paralyzed while it has this. So at low levels, if you're first level or second level and you're dealing with one of these things, okay, that's rough.

What's that? Plus five piercing. Oh, sorry. Five piercing plus seven necrotic. Okay. So that's good. And the target is reduced. If the target is reduced to zero hit points, it becomes stable and has the poison condition for one hour. And it's paralyzed while it has this. So at low levels, if you're first level or second level and you're dealing with one of these things, okay, that's rough.

But if you're a higher level character who's actually fighting a vampire, that feels too weak to me. I want this monster to work against first and second level characters and against 12th level characters fighting a vampire. And I feel like it doesn't do both. Well, can I blow your mind, sir?

But if you're a higher level character who's actually fighting a vampire, that feels too weak to me. I want this monster to work against first and second level characters and against 12th level characters fighting a vampire. And I feel like it doesn't do both. Well, can I blow your mind, sir?