GlassJaw
Hero
I'll preface this post by mentioning that it's somewhat tied to the Trailblazer Monster Design Discussion, which can be found here in the Bad Axe Games Hosted Forum. However, I wanted to take an informal "poll" here first to get a feel for how 3ed DM's address monster customization, whether it's advancing Hit Dice, increasing Size, or adding class levels.
I'll present three scenarios. Assume you are prepping for sessions that would involve these creatures or encounters.
How would you go about preparing the stats you would need?
What format would you use for the actual game session?
How much prep time would you estimate you would need to stat each encounter or creature?
Scenario 1: You are DM'ing for a party of 10th-level PCs. They have been hired to infiltrate an ancient dwarven stronghold to recover an artifact. Unbeknownst to them, it has recently been over-taken by a band of ill-tempered derro who are also looking for the artifact.
The leader of the derro is a 13th-level wizard-necromancer. Exploring the stronghold with him is his inner circle of twenty or so 8-12th level henchmen of various classes - warriors, rogues, and casters (of all types).
Scenario 2: The PCs have been tracking the operations of a band of assassins led by a particularly cunning wererat bugbear. He is a level Ftr 2/Rog 5 that fights with 2 kukris.
Scenario 3: Your demon-hunting, planar-hopping campaign is coming to a close. The final battle will be a solo battle against the Demon Queen, a 24-HD Huge Marilith. Since it is a solo boss fight, you want to give the marilith an AOE tail sweep attack that can knock down opponents.
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Other questions:
What is your general feeling on monster and NPC customization in the 3ed system?
Do you tend to use creatures "out of the book" or do you customize?
What short cuts do you use that makes your preparation easier and faster?
What other types of preparation do you absolutely dread when getting ready for a session?
Thanks!
I'll present three scenarios. Assume you are prepping for sessions that would involve these creatures or encounters.
How would you go about preparing the stats you would need?
What format would you use for the actual game session?
How much prep time would you estimate you would need to stat each encounter or creature?
Scenario 1: You are DM'ing for a party of 10th-level PCs. They have been hired to infiltrate an ancient dwarven stronghold to recover an artifact. Unbeknownst to them, it has recently been over-taken by a band of ill-tempered derro who are also looking for the artifact.
The leader of the derro is a 13th-level wizard-necromancer. Exploring the stronghold with him is his inner circle of twenty or so 8-12th level henchmen of various classes - warriors, rogues, and casters (of all types).
Scenario 2: The PCs have been tracking the operations of a band of assassins led by a particularly cunning wererat bugbear. He is a level Ftr 2/Rog 5 that fights with 2 kukris.
Scenario 3: Your demon-hunting, planar-hopping campaign is coming to a close. The final battle will be a solo battle against the Demon Queen, a 24-HD Huge Marilith. Since it is a solo boss fight, you want to give the marilith an AOE tail sweep attack that can knock down opponents.
--------------
Other questions:
What is your general feeling on monster and NPC customization in the 3ed system?
Do you tend to use creatures "out of the book" or do you customize?
What short cuts do you use that makes your preparation easier and faster?
What other types of preparation do you absolutely dread when getting ready for a session?
Thanks!