Your thoughts on monsters having six Abilities

[cavetroll]

Back in 1e/2 monsters never had ability scores. I have very mixed feelings about keeping monsters ability scores.
I get that you "need" them in 5e in order to make saving throws.
But the fact that a zombie is more charismatic than some player characters seems weird.

Do you think its an important piece of D&D that will stay forever? Does it add anything to the monsters apart from fulfilling mechanics?
Would you keep it for 6e/7e?

 

[Staffan]

I like having ability scores for monsters, because they make them play well with the rest of the game. They're basically what makes monsters not just cardboard cutouts for PCs to kill.

That said, I prefer the PF2 method of monster design where the stats don't have any direct effect on the actually used stats (e.g. an Arboreal Reaper has an attack bonus of +18 because it's a level 7 creature that's built to fight in melee, not because of its Strength bonus of +6), but are more for informative purposes.

 

[Bilharzia]

Many systems outside of d&d have standard stats or characteristics the same as PCs. I would say it's the norm rather than the exception - this is the non-d&d sub forum after all.

 

[cavetroll]

Many systems outside of d&d have standard stats or characteristics the same as PCs. I would say it's the norm rather than the exception - this is the non-d&d sub forum after all.

yeah I know where I posted it.

 

[cavetroll]

I like having ability scores for monsters, because they make them play well with the rest of the game. They're basically what makes monsters not just cardboard cutouts for PCs to kill.

That said, I prefer the PF2 method of monster design where the stats don't have any direct effect on the actually used stats (e.g. an Arboreal Reaper has an attack bonus of +18 because it's a level 7 creature that's built to fight in melee, not because of its Strength bonus of +6), but are more for informative purposes.

Yeah thats the interesting part of it, you have a ancient white dragon str 26 so it "must" have a +8 damage on its claws. I'm not sure if that was a good thing, or a restrictive thing.

 

[uzirath]

say it's the norm rather than the exception.

You beat me to it. This has been my experience too. Plus, it’s helpful to be able to compare capabilities to some extent.

 

[Bilharzia]

You beat me to it. This has been my experience too. Plus, it’s helpful to be able to compare capabilities to some extent.

Yup, in RuneQuest/BRP/Mythras creatures other than human are essentially identical to PCs (which also can mean it's a pain to generate them). This also means it is very easy for a player to create and use any intelligent creature as a player character, within the terms of the campaign, and agreement with GM and the other players.

 

[cavetroll]

Its a good point that even if you don't use the stats as the monster, they can be used if you switch it to be a player.

 

[Cadence]

Do you think its an important piece of D&D that will stay forever? Does it add anything to the monsters apart from fulfilling mechanics?

How would you do saves and skill checks without them in 3/3.5/5?

 

[cavetroll]

How would you do saves and skill checks without them in 3/3.5/5?

You wouldn't, the question is are they only useful for saves and skill checks, or do they serve any other purpose.