D&D 5E Let’s Read Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse.

[Micah Sweet]

No they don't need to do it. But the Korred does not need backup Elementals to be a good opponent to start with.
Plus the Korred being able to summon a Galeb Dhur made it way more dangerous then it's CR suggested. As a Galeb Dhur is nearly as strong as the Korred, and has the ability to animate two boulders with the same stats as the Galeb Dhur.

My point is, those options likely won't even occur to a new DM who only has this to work with, because the possibility is no longer evident. Its not just about playability and CR fairness.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

My point is, those options likely won't even occur to a new DM who only has this to work with, because the possibility is no longer evident. Its not just about playability and CR fairness.

Yes and it's good the option is gone cause they won't accidently start slaughtering the Level 5 party with 3 CR 6 Rocks out of nowhere.

 

[Weiley31]

You can just have the Boss version of the Korred keep the Conjure Elemental and un-nerfed rocks.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

My point is, those options likely won't even occur to a new DM who only has this to work with, because the possibility is no longer evident. Its not just about playability and CR fairness.

was the ability to summon other creatures that could create other creatures all in the same ball park built into the CR of that original creature or was it just assumed you would add the XP for the rest?

 

[MonsterEnvy]

was the ability to summon other creatures that could create other creatures all in the same ball park built into the CR of that original creature or was it just assumed you would add the XP for the rest?

It's the later for 5e.

 

[Veltharis ap Rylix]

My point is, those options likely won't even occur to a new DM who only has this to work with, because the possibility is no longer evident. Its not just about playability and CR fairness.

Is every monster statblock supposed to come with a list of other monsters that they pair well with then, all to ease the burden on the "new DM" that doesn't know any better?

The idea of pairing a fey earth spirit with other fey and/or earth spirits isn't exactly a huge leap to make...

 

[GMforPowergamers]

It's the later for 5e.

(I don't use the DMG rules for encounter building)

so does the book have rules or suggestions about how you handle creatures that can summon or create new creatures and what to do if they do and if they don't during an encounter?

 

[Faolyn]

They can, if they think to do it. But if all they have to go on is this book, why would they?

Because it's highly unlikely that any but the very newest players will only have this book to go on. There is a ton of online support through reddit and other forums, blogs, and videos or podcasts, or even just personally knowing more experienced gamers. And if someone is so new and inexperienced as to not realize they can change monsters as they like, then it's possibly better for them to not have a more complex monster to confuse them. Once they gain experience, they'll be able to change what they like on their own.

Don't forget that throughout (A)D&D's long history, monsters were rarely complex in a good way. They either had very little to go on or were given confusing or boring abilities. And yet, many DMs have been able to play them well. So don't write them off now.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Is every monster statblock supposed to come with a list of other monsters that they pair well with then, all to ease the burden on the "new DM" that doesn't know any better?

The idea of pairing a fey earth spirit with other fey and/or earth spirits isn't exactly a huge leap to make...

Putting some example monsters that they team up with well is actually a decent idea.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

(I don't use the DMG rules for encounter building)

so does the book have rules or suggestions about how you handle creatures that can summon or create new creatures and what to do if they do and if they don't during an encounter?

It's why most summoning is variant. You just add the summoned monsters' exp to the encounter.