D&D 5E Redesigning the Monster Block - What four things do you put first, right after the name?

[Cadence]

Something in another thread is the idea of what helps someone scan quickly through the monster entries to find potential things for an encounter - so, to help make a short list of things to read about in depth. Personally, I can look at the top few lines quickly, but then it starts taking time. The list above should contain everything that has appeared in the top 6 things after the name in the Monster Manual (or equivalent) entries from 1e to 5e (with two choices for alignment I added in light of some recent discussions). Which four would you pick to go right after the name in the monster stat block if you got to redesign the Monster Manual?

My "other" vote is for some two-to-three word set of descriptors that give a feeling for the creature - Marauding Terrors, Inquisitive Tricksters, Fearsome Soul Drinkers, Helpful Garden Spirits, Destroyers, Greedy Hoarders, Unrepentant Brigands, Legalistic Fiends, Strict House Spirits, Fast Mount, etc.... I don't expect them to be any better defined than alignment in terms of helping RP something, but if chosen wisely it might give something easier to pick on a quick scan through.

Note: There's lots of space left in the monster manual stat block after the top, so just because it isn't top 4 doesn't mean nobody loves it.

 

[Neonchameleon]

As a DM I want to be able to use the monsters as fast and easily as possible if I'm going straight for the statblock. CR is very much a must, as is general creature type (including size) so I know how I can start describing it whether or not I'm reskinning. Combat role if they are being used is a must (and IMO it improves the game). In other words all things I'd want to know even before I knew whether the combat was actually going to happen.

 

[Minigiant]

I need 5

Ooogalaboogala
Size Type, Personality Tier Role

 

[Neonchameleon]

I need 5

Ooogalaboogala
Size Type, Personality Tier Role

Personality's a good fifth. D&D has never had a good personality metric however, although role's a part of it.

 

[Cadence]

I need 5

Ooogalaboogala
Size Type, Personality Tier Role

Your block gets a lot more than 5... but my attention span might not

Tier feels like the same slot as CR/Level/HD, but I don't think I can edit that into the list.

 

[Maxperson]

I voted for AC, Hit Dice/HP, Initiative and Movement. Combat is the primary purpose of monsters, so I want that information up top.

 

[ccs]

Well, limited to what you've listed; AC, HP/HD, Initiative, & Movement.

 

[Cadence]

Well, limited to what you've listed; AC, HP/HD, Initiative, & Movement.

Other was a choice too. I think something about attacks was seventh in at least one edition.

 

[Osgood]

I miss some of the options included that used to be on stat blocks, like activity cycle or number appearing… but those old stat blocks were kinda useless in play. I guess I’d really like to see a combat stat block that focuses on what you need in a fight, and then a standardized lore/planning/ecology block before or after the description.

 

[Faolyn]

I wrote Role, but I'd like Role to be more than "brute" or "striker" but to include its general motivation or purpose.