D&D 5E Does anyone else feel like the action economy and the way actions work in general in 5e both just suck?

[Oofta]

Most of the time I do not want a lot of special features for my monsters. Yes, they use appropriate tactics, but if every monster is throwing people around then it becomes just a vanilla normal thing. If it happens once in a while then suddenly it's "Holy crap! That monster just sent Brog flying 20 feet!" It's a cool break from "ordinary" combat. If every werewolf was a big bad wolf then when they hit the leader of the pack it wouldn't be a big surprise when he gets an extra "rend" attack if he hits twice or crits.

On the other hand I've modified monsters in every edition so I may be biased. That, and my campaigns are heavier on RP, mysteries and intrigue. When they do hit a BBEG I want that BBEG to be really special.

But since there are 3rd party products out there if you don't want to come up with this stuff, I guess I don't see it as a big issue.

 

[SkidAce]

I wished for a long time that WotC would release a bestiary with a list of possible ''modular traits/actions'' to add to a creatures of specific type like they did with the additional abilities for giants in SKT, and AiME did with its monsters in the Loremaster Guide.

DMG has a list of monster features that may be interesting....see example pic

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

DMG has a list of monster features that may be interesting....see example pic

View attachment 119807

Oh yeah, I use that one a lot to modify my creatures, and also the next one with the racial mods to create NPCs with racial abilities. I also use the one from AiME for beast, giants/orc/trolls and goblinoids.

I completely forgot the above-mentioned Monster Talents from the DMguild, I have it somewhere in my library.

 

[fearsomepirate]

MM monsters are overall a little weak. I've found the monsters in Volo's and Mordy's to be better challenges. You may also want to check out KP's Tome of Beasts; those monsters have always given my players a hard time.

 

[Oofta]

MM monsters are overall a little weak. I've found the monsters in Volo's and Mordy's to be better challenges. You may also want to check out KP's Tome of Beasts; those monsters have always given my players a hard time.

Yeah, I just updated werewolves to match the guidelines in the DMG (ignoring the requirement for silver because it didn't matter) because they were so wimpy. It was a much tougher fight than I had expected.

Of course some of that was just random luck of the die - I don't think I rolled lower than a 13 for the entire fight.

 

[TheSword]

As a DM, I'd rather have the work done for me when it comes to interesting monster abilities. That's what I am paying someone to do. It doesn't have to be complex. But it does need to be interesting. 13TH Age is a perfect example of interesting and varied monster design without beating a DM over the head with complexity (though certainly other parts of the game are designed with experience in mind, Monster design was specifically built that way).

5E sorely lacks in this and it is one of my biggest hang-ups with the system, Yes, as written the monster's are ieasy. But there are no "advanced" MM's or much (if any) guidance on making unique interesting monsters and adding fun/varied abilities to them in any meaningful way (as another poster alluded to, above) As DMs become better or for those of us who are not beginners it's still Bland monsters or build from scratch on the WOTC menu.

Certainly, in older editions we had much the same. But 5E took a big step backwards from 4E, and I'm sure that is why the Company and Products I linked to above are such massive sellers for 5E fans.

The DMG has a whole section on modifying monsters and a table of abilities that can be added to any monster or NPC you like.

5e is no more complicated than... I’d like a monster to be able to do this... done

 

[Jaeger]

And the overwhelming response is: then maybe you shouldn't play 5E... which isn't helpful at all. ... I am stuck with 5E since that is what our group plays...

And herein lies the rub.

90%+ of the RPG hobby is 5e. Most of it exclusively so.

When it comes to D&D, "Just play a different game" often goes hand in hand with switching groups.

 

[tetrasodium]

And herein lies the rub.

90%+ of the RPG hobby is 5e. Most of it exclusively so.

When it comes to D&D, "Just play a different game" often goes hand in hand with switching groups.

don't forget "that's not a problem, it's a feature, you just want the wrong things"

 

[DND_Reborn]

And herein lies the rub.

90%+ of the RPG hobby is 5e. Most of it exclusively so.

When it comes to D&D, "Just play a different game" often goes hand in hand with switching groups.

LOL I wish I could. It took me a long time to find the group I am in. I am hoping to get them to try other editions and game even, but for now it is 5E or nothing.

Also, I have no interest in playing online, so that is out of the question. Sorry, too old-school.

 

[Jaeger]

LOL I wish I could. It took me a long time to find the group I am in. I am hoping to get them to try other editions and game even, but for now it is 5E or nothing.

Also, I have no interest in playing online, so that is out of the question. Sorry, too old-school.

One thing I will note - is that good GM's never really have a problem finding players.

So if you are willing to run, you can do pretty much any system you want. The trick is getting a group where 2-3 people rotate being GM and running full campaigns... I'm lucky that way.

But if I move away from my current group - I'm not worried about forming another - I know I'll just have to be exclusive GM for a bit.

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