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DMs of EN World: How do YOU assign HP to monsters?
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<blockquote data-quote="BigBadDM" data-source="post: 7333042" data-attributes="member: 6862128"><p>Generally I give the monsters the average listed in the book.</p><p>If a monster is a boss/leader type I usually give them full HP.</p><p>If it is a single creature I usually give them full HP (though I tend to stay away from single enemy encounters). I tend to add an environmental variable if I do.</p><p>If the battle is becoming tedious (too many enemies for example) I might lower the hit points --but usually I bring in a trap/environment condition as an AOE (as it adds tension)</p><p>If the battle is going to fast, I try to bring in reinforcements rather than boost HP on the fly (as it adds to tension).</p><p>For BBEG, I never have them act alone anymore as HP does not matter as far as creating something memorable.</p><p>For BBEG, always have minions. And I try to have some 'lair action' that acts on init 10 every round. (again adds tension).</p><p>Sometimes a monster with 1 HP is more fun that 100 HP. You punch the ogre in the face--its nose crunches into its skull and dies. The other Ogres rage with fury.</p><p></p><p>Overall I feel HP of monsters do very little to the game. They come in handy with a creature as a special ability you want them to use. But otherwise it is no indication of the fun to be had at the combat table.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="BigBadDM, post: 7333042, member: 6862128"] Generally I give the monsters the average listed in the book. If a monster is a boss/leader type I usually give them full HP. If it is a single creature I usually give them full HP (though I tend to stay away from single enemy encounters). I tend to add an environmental variable if I do. If the battle is becoming tedious (too many enemies for example) I might lower the hit points --but usually I bring in a trap/environment condition as an AOE (as it adds tension) If the battle is going to fast, I try to bring in reinforcements rather than boost HP on the fly (as it adds to tension). For BBEG, I never have them act alone anymore as HP does not matter as far as creating something memorable. For BBEG, always have minions. And I try to have some 'lair action' that acts on init 10 every round. (again adds tension). Sometimes a monster with 1 HP is more fun that 100 HP. You punch the ogre in the face--its nose crunches into its skull and dies. The other Ogres rage with fury. Overall I feel HP of monsters do very little to the game. They come in handy with a creature as a special ability you want them to use. But otherwise it is no indication of the fun to be had at the combat table. [/QUOTE]
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