Monster role and lore checks

[gnfnrf]

Is there a level of success on a monster lore check that identifies the creature's role, level, or elite/solo status? None of the listed info includes this, but it seems odd that one can find out great detail about all of a creature's special attacks, but nothing about which defense to attack or how many HP it is likely to have.

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gnfnrf

 

[MarkB]

I generally include the monster's role along with the "Name, type and keywords" section, but officially, no, it's not amongst the information provided.

 

[LaserWolf]

Giving players specific numbers makes it more of an exercise in probability than creativity. I've found that you can usually make reasonable guesses about a creature's defenses based on a pretty basic description. HP is a little trickier to describe. I would be happy to tell my players that a creature has "especially poor reflexes" but I'd rather not say a creature "has a Reflex defense of 12".

 

[BobTheNob]

My players get zero numbers off creatures. The best I will give is value descriptions ("yes, it has a higher armor class than usual"). Never ever numbers. We have to leave some mystery in the game after all.

That said, I will also be generous with information in order that they can get the most out of their characters. For instance
Rogue : "I hit him with sly flourish"
DM(me) : "Word to the wise. He has high armor and you have Penetrating strike. Sly flourish will do more, but penetrating strike has a much better chance of hitting"
Rogue : "Ok. More important to get sneak damage in. I will use penetrating strike"

Didnt tell them the numbers, but did let them know which way the wind blew