Re: Mind Flayer Player Characters

Everyone seems to be worried about high stats.  We are talking about 
a mind-flayer here!   Magic Resistance for ANY PC is a powerful 
thing.  And at the levels mentioned here it will be a major 
advantage.   Also, an attack mode that kills in a short period of 
time!  And psionics on top.   Friends, ability scores will be the 
LEAST of your problems when DMing this PC.  

But a rule of thumb that is useful: Don't allow any ability score higher
than an 18 unless the Monstrous Manual entry hints at it.  The Int in 
the MM is 17-18.  That implies a high minimum, but I see now reason 
to allow higher than an 18.  No other ability is hinted at in the entry, so I will 
limit all others to a maximum of 18, possibly lower, such as in Str, 
Con, or Cha.   If you consider the Ulitharid to be a high-level 
Illithid, you might allow INT as high as 20.  Comes down to how much 
a DM is willing to put up with.  Also, as is mentioned in the PS 
Planeswalker book a creature with high MR (such as a Githzarie) 
cannot willingly lower his/her MR to recieve benificial spells such 
as cures.  10% per level to a maximum of 90% would keep it in line 
with what is in the MM. (ouch!)  And dietary needs should present an 
addtional headache.  They party better kill lots of evil humanoids 
for their companion or wear non-removable helmets!

Another major disadvantage will be NPC reactions.   Any player willing to play
an Illithid deserves lots of elves, pirates of gith, githyanki, and hordes of other 
species that have been victemized by the Illithids.  Undead would recieve a 
warmer welcome! 

There is a presedent however of a non-evil Illithid with Estriss from the novels. 
 As much as I hate over-powerful PC's there are some fun (from the DM's 
viewpoint) role-playing opertunities.  I got hooked on Spelljammer by playing
 in a head-to-head SJ event at a convention (Aggi-Con) years ago.  I played 
an Illithids and Estriss has always been a favorite character of mine, so I could 
understand a DM's willingness to put himself thru hell to let someone play an Illithid.

Have fun with the Githzerai Rrakkma hunting parties!

Terry
TLHawk@???-??.org