D&D 5E New Spellcasting Blocks for Monsters --- Why?!

[Parmandur]

Isn't it pretty incredible how all that stuff on Happy Fun Hour ended up having rippling effects on stuff releasing today? Before he was canned, he really was trying to pull back the curtain on 5E for full transparency.

That show was so good. Really laid out what is really going on with 5E rules.

He didn't really get "canned" since he still works on the behind the scenes Magic: the Gathering team. I honestly don't mind the more professional communication strategy because bad things come from the loose goosey approach.

 

[Charlaquin]

That show was so good. Really laid out what is really going on with 5E rules.

He didn't really get "canned" since he still works on the behind the scenes Magic: the Gathering team. I honestly don't mind the more professional communication strategy because bad things come from the loose goosey approach.

It’d be nice if we could have a middle-ground. I really like the loosey-goosey approach but I can understand it’s not ideal for a number of reasons. But I wish we could at least keep the transparency that came with it, even if we have to lose the casualness.

 

[Parmandur]

It’d be nice if we could have a middle-ground. I really like the loosey-goosey approach but I can understand it’s not ideal for a number of reasons. But I wish we could at least keep the transparency that came with it, even if we have to lose the casualness.

It's a tough path to tread, particularly as the game becomes more mainstream.

 

[Stoutstien]

No, it's the most that a part of 4 can handle without running low on resources. As you.go down from that max, the easier the game gets. Which is also fine.

Nope. Give chapter 3 a read with fresh eyes. It says stuff like Assuming.... average...most...medium or maybe hard..we have no idea figure it out..(ok that last part isn't there but it's implied)
All that is based on the exp budget model which again isn't based on anything more concrete than CR. Its literally the least useful part of the encounter/day building suggestions for new DMs. A ton of math and paperwork with no real return where if they focus on creating fun encounters with environment and an array of objectives will lead to a much better experience.

If you need further evidence find a single published adventure that comes even close to those suggestions. or any interview, tweet, or communication from WoTC for that matter. It was literally the result of feedback from playtest groups in the last phases so it didn't even exist when the content was designed. Best bet is to pretend it doesn't even exist.

 

[Bill Zebub]

And how about the new ones in the new books. Noticed anything? I sure did.

Yeah but you can opt out if you don't like the changes. The books you previously bought still work fine. This isn't like an MMO where the rug gets pulled out from under you.

 

[Weiley31]

Sure, it may require a bit of extra work on the DM's part, but Boss fights, such as Vecna or the main BBEG of the Campaign should be modified to have Spell Slots to upcast spells like Fireball or Cure Wounds. Likewise, you can choose the appropriate spells that the DM feels can help out.

And then worst-case scenario, you can always go about writing notes saying as to what kind of level a spell is cast at. If the enemy knows Chill Touch, then you can pull an Orcus and have next to it (17th level) to do the appropriate Cantrip scaling or Spell.

Also, Vecna needs moar Meteor Swarm!

 

[Warpiglet-7]

Yeah but you can opt out if you don't like the changes. The books you previously bought still work fine. This isn't like an MMO where the rug gets pulled out from under you.

This is an overlooked option. I looked at the mordenkainen book at the game store this weekend.

It’s not for me. Not buying it which is OK—-I have a Mordy book I like now. Upgrading is not an imperative: it’s an option.

 

[Weiley31]

Except without spell slots, Vecna can't actually cast any of those spells in the Book of Vile Darkness..... so, it is pretty useless in that respect.

It's the book. The book is the one actually casting the spells. Especially since the Books of Vile Darkness are all Intelligent. Vecna just likes to lug it around because he doesn't have his best buddy in the whole Multiverse, Kas, to talk to when he's bored and not "All According to Plan" everyday of the week.

The Book is actually not pleased with the fact that it's just being used as a Rebound.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I generally don't use spellcasting monsters because I don't like paging through a PHB during a game to find out what my monsters do, and I don't like the prep work of writing down/typing up a list of what the spells do, either. I sure as heck can't remember what all the spells do anymore (I used to be able to, once). So... I like the new blocks.

I sympathize with those who don't, but I much prefer them. Heck, if it were entirely up to me, I'd simplify monster stat blocks a few steps further and use symbols and keywords and get rid of as much clutter as possible. I really don't like monsters whose block runs off a page (or takes up a whole page).

On the other hand, I think there's too many monsters that are basically a bag of HP with a damage output. I think there's a sweet-spot, which (if I had my way) would be for everyone to have a simple attack and between 1 and 5 extra cool things that it can do, depending on the monster.

I don't need to get my way, though.

 

[dave2008]

Nope. Give chapter 3 a read with fresh eyes. It says stuff like Assuming.... average...most...medium or maybe hard..we have no idea figure it out..(ok that last part isn't there but it's implied)
All that is based on the exp budget model which again isn't based on anything more concrete than CR. Its literally the least useful part of the encounter/day building suggestions for new DMs. A ton of math and paperwork with no real return where if they focus on creating fun encounters with environment and an array of objectives will lead to a much better experience.

If you need further evidence find a single published adventure that comes even close to those suggestions. or any interview, tweet, or communication from WoTC for that matter. It was literally the result of feedback from playtest groups in the last phases so it didn't even exist when the content was designed. Best bet is to pretend it doesn't even exist.

Just curious, because I guess i missed the origin of this conversation, what the heck are you talking about?