Editing Myconid (section)

==3rd Edition==
[[File:Myconids 3e.jpg|right|300px]]
The myconids made their 3rd Edition debut in the article Bad Seeds in Dragon #292. There's a preface to the article soliciting feedback and noting that some of the material is intended for an upcoming product, foreshadowing the Monster Manual II later the same year.

Most of the 1st/2nd Edition lore remans the same, but these myconids have more physical variation. Their hands have a random number of digits, and occasional individuals have extra arms or legs. A myconid's eyes are perfectly concealed when closed. The location of the eyes isn't specified in the text, but the illustration places them on the edge of the cap. These myconids no longer have the poisonous skin of the previous two editions, but they do gain the standard immunities of 3rd Edition plants (poison, sleep, paralysis, stunning, and mind-influencing magic). 

Mechanically, these myconids share the same 1-6 HD variation as before, with each HD still equating to four years of age and two feet of height. Each of the six myconids has its own stats block and title. The junior workers (1 HD) are adolescents of 4-8 years. Although feeble, they are the circle's first line of defence when needed. Average workers (2 HD) are 8-12 years old, and form the backbone of the community. Elder workers (3 HD) serve as supervisors and shock troops. Guards (4 HD) are 16-20 years old, and are charged with overall defence of the circle; they tend to be more aggressive. Circle leaders (5 HD) are older than 20 years, and lead and administer the circle.

As previously, each tribe has a single 6 HD king, whose spores animate guardians, and who is also able to make a number of potions for the community. The other five types of spores are also unchanged, with some rules clarifications to the pacification effect making it similar to the dazed condition. Spores can be released in a 120-foot spread or a 40-foot ray, depending on the type.

The text in the Monster Manual II is an edited version of the Dragon #292 article, with a new illustration and a new gender-neutral title for the myconid leader, who is now their "sovereign". The lore confirms that myconids are immobile until the age of four, and gives them an alternative name of "fungus ones". Such is their distrust of outsiders that they actively seek homes away from busy areas. Their extensive knowledge of fungus farming is emphasised, including optimum growing conditions, crop sizes, and how to use the different parts of each type. The organisation of circles within a tribe is said to favour distances between circles no greater than the range of the distress spores (120 feet).

The D&D v.3.5 Accessory Update booklet has some minor changes to all six sizes of myconid. These are limited to skills points and a few additional feats, but the chosen feats give the elder worker more hit points, and the guard slightly better attacks.