Trying to design 4E Dark Spiders: Warrior (Minions, and a standard variety either Soldier or Skirmisher), Defiler (Artillery), Psion (Artillery or Controller), and Queen (Controller (Leader)). Perhaps even an hatchling swarm if PCs were to disturb the web sacks that contain them.
Since these are monsters, there’s no need to wait for 4E psionics…we just invent psionic monster abilities and give them the Psychic keyword. Same for defiling.
What levels would they be?
I suspect we would need to find a group of comparatively gifted MM monsters and go with their levels.
I have the MM Kruthik in mind.
Dark Spiders would throw webs around and have poison. Defilers would have a few unique spells, psions a few powers, and queens unique spells and powers from both.

Are Dark Spiders in a previous edition or are a pennarin special?

LOL
They were in 2E’s DSMCII, and converted in ToA 3.5
I’m nearly done anyway. Did the Warrior (Soldier), the Swarmer (Minion), and I’m doing the Defiler (Artillery) right now. With Defiler and Psion done I’ll be able to mesh the two and create the Queen.
In the adventure Legacies of War, the Queen will be something like “Grey-Touched”, being able to reanimate destroyed undead (like the Deathlock Wigh can) and will have some kind of an undead-control ability, probably an Aura.

I’m wondering what type of “spells” the Dark Spider Defiler will have, and what form will its defiling take.
I’m looking at …
- a web it shoots, like other dark spiders, but that inflicts acid
- it spits a mist of poison that settles over an area, probably a burst or blast
- ???

I would say that defiling would be an aura that was momentary or something. What kind of mechanics would make it replicate the 3.5 rules? And, unless you have something like the distance raze feat (a favorite of mine with leeches and dragons) it would be centered on the caster.

Artillery now a days does stay out of the way, thus defiling is only a detterent in terms of effects if a PC gets too close to the casting dark spider.
I never saw a temporary aura, this would probably have to be an ability.
I’m also thinking the Queen would have a fear-inducing power that consists of her shaking her chitin plates, creating a sound that induces fear in enemies.

At this address, you can download the 4e Dark Spider document that contains the Web Reaper (Minion), Mephiticant (Soldier), Sorcerer (Artillery), and Queen (Controller (Leader)).
You’ll notice it doesn’t contain any indications of damage, level, saves, etc.
I’m seeking feedback on the choice of abilities, how they fit together, and interact with those of other dark spiders. Ultimately, a level is gonna have to be put on each of these monsters, and ranges and squares affected for each of the abilities determined.
Web Reapers are sent up front, hence their high speed. They’re also disposable.
Mephiticants (an extrapolated term meaning poisonous) replace the old 3e Warrior, and stay midway between the artillery/controllers and the PCs, letting the Web Reapers attack the PCs directly.
Sorcerers stay behind the Mephiticants.
The Queen stays behind the Sorcerers and is usually closely surrounded by minions.
A 4e psionic version version of the 3e Dark Spider Psion is gonna come later…pretty tired right now. I’ll base it off whatever is agreed upon for the Sorcerer. Could be Artillery or Controller…
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I’ve moved this discussion over at Penn’s Monster Thread.