using "standard" d20 monsters/creatures

[mouthymerc]

I'm trying to keep the abilities in the realm of what is available and not come up with new untested mechanics.

There is no reason that its displacement ability could not be done this way.  It's all in the description.  The displacement ability amounts to nothing more than a 50% miss chance.  A mechanic which at this time is not available.  There is nothing stopping a GC from describing a situation where the displacer beast is hidden but its image is not.  Shooting at the image still means missing the target no matter what its abilities are.  Once the beast attacks, though, his position is known until he can go into hiding again.  He is still not easy to hit because he gains the cover bonus and has some DR if he is hit.  If he can distract the target or get out of sight, he can disappear again.

I tried to make him difficult to hit and able to blindside targets.

[mouthymerc]

I adjusted the displacer beast to have Bluff so he could create distractions.

Here he is again as a special NPC.

Displacer Beast (Animal Special NPC — 137 XP): Init III; Atk VII; Def VI; Resilience VI; v/wp: V; Skills: Athletics II, Bluff II, Notice III, Sneak VI, Tactics II; SZ L; Spd 40 ft.; Qualities: Beast, class ability (portable cover ½, uncanny dodge I-II), feats (Ambush Basics, Ambush Mastery, Battle Hardened, Combat Instincts, Ghost Basics, Ghost Mastery, Ghost Supremacy, Superior Cover, Wolf Pack Basics, Wolf Pack Mastery), fleet (+10 ft.), henchman, hulking (Large), inferior attributes (Cha 8), low-light vision, natural attacks (slam II, bite II), superior attributes (Str 18, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 5, Wis 12).

This one is much more nasty.

[Medwyn]

Wow! Great! Those look wonderful Mouthymerc...

I like the idea of giving the Displacer Beast an ability which gives it cover and then explain the cover as her Displacement ability. I was looking at the Moving Hologram and going Incorporeal, but personally I don't like the going Invisible/Hidden way.

As Anderson said a displacer beast is not hidden from your sight, it is just hard to hit.

For my version I think I'll cut down a lot of those extra bits up her defense and use the cover idea and use fight defense a bit.

What does the Beast Quality do? I know it has been mentioned but I don't recall it being defined...
Is there any other feats or class abilities that add Cover?

[mouthymerc]

Wow! Great! Those look wonderful Mouthymerc...

Glad you like.

I like the idea of giving the Displacer Beast an ability which gives it cover and then explain the cover as her Displacement ability. I was looking at the Moving Hologram and going Incorporeal, but personally I don't like the going Invisible/Hidden way.

As Anderson said a displacer beast is not hidden from your sight, it is just hard to hit.

For my version I think I'll cut down a lot of those extra bits up her defense and use the cover idea and use fight defense a bit.

That's cool.  Try this then:

Displacer Beast (Animal NPC — 122 XP): Init III; Atk VII; Def IX; Resilience VI; Damage Save: V; Skills: Notice III, Sneak VI, Tactics II; SZ L; Spd 40 ft.; Qualities: Beast, class ability (portable cover ½, uncanny dodge I-II), feats (Ambush Basics, Ambush Mastery, Battle Hardened, Home Turf, Superior Cover), fleet (+10 ft.), hulking (Large), inferior attributes (Cha 8), low-light vision, natural attacks (slam II, bite II), superior attributes (Str 18, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 5, Wis 12).

Swap out the Ghost chain for Ambush Basics and Mastery and add the Home Turf feat.  This makes him able to set up ambushes.  I switched Bluff for Tactics.  When he i on his home turf his cover bumps from 1/2 to 3/4.

What does the Beast Quality do? I know it has been mentioned but I don't recall it being defined...
Is there any other feats or class abilities that add Cover?

The beast quality basically allows for animal builds that are creatures that look like animals but are more (more intelligent, have other maybe supernatural abilities, etc.).  It'll be in an upcoming product, but is not official as yet.

[Mister Andersen]

If you want a straight 50% miss chance, just grab the "cloaked in the fringe" class ability from something like the shade speaker.

I'm dubious about tentacles - those sharp bony ridges on the end really shouldn't be doing subdual damage.

[mouthymerc]

If you want a straight 50% miss chance, just grab the "cloaked in the fringe" class ability from something like the shade speaker.

This ability sends you reeling when used and is limited to the amount of AD you have for uses.  It seems too limited to me.

I'm dubious about tentacles - those sharp bony ridges on the end really shouldn't be doing subdual damage.

Good point.  I'd change them to slam attacks then.  I'll adjust the stats.

[GlassJaw]

The displacer beast is a good example.  And after reading this thread, I still wonder why you wouldn't just run it as written.  Sure, you'll have to wing XP a bit but that seems easier than trying to square peg/round hole its abilities into the SC system.

[Morgenstern]

I'm trying to keep the abilities in the realm of what is available and not come up with new untested mechanics.

There is no reason that its displacement ability could not be done this way.  It's all in the description.  The displacement ability amounts to nothing more than a 50% miss chance.  A mechanic which at this time is not available.  There is nothing stopping a GC from describing a situation where the displacer beast is hidden but its image is not.  Shooting at the image still means missing the target no matter what its abilities are.  Once the beast attacks, though, his position is known until he can go into hiding again.  He is still not easy to hit because he gains the cover bonus and has some DR if he is hit.  If he can distract the target or get out of sight, he can disappear again.

I tried to make him difficult to hit and able to blindside targets.

While I'm muddling with a displaced condition because of work on Spellbound (faerie fire referst to it. What a jumbled heap the SRD is.), you could lift the mechanic easily enough by giving them the class ability using the 10th level class ability of the Sweeper in the Farthes Star forumn. 14 XP and very straight forward .

[mouthymerc]

While I'm muddling with a displaced condition because of work on Spellbound (faerie fire referst to it. What a jumbled heap the SRD is.), you could lift the mechanic easily enough by giving them the class ability using the 10th level class ability of the Sweeper in the Farthes Star forumn. 14 XP and very straight forward .

Well, yeah, I could, if I'd remembered it.  Doh!