D&D (2024) 2024+ Monster Statblock options

[FitzTheRuke]

Yes. I think sky flourish is right. We know melee is five feet, unless told otherwise. We don't need the word roll. We know the traits apply to the sphinx. So many unneeded words. I have zero interest in natural language in a statblock..... Make it ridiculously easy to run. A lot of this could be in a secondary block.... But that might take up an extra inch of space? In any event, it is what it is.

I usually put the 5ft bit in, as I use the same format for Melee and Ranged Attacks, but I use "MWA" and "RWA" for melee and ranged weapon attacks, respectively.

So it would look like:
Longword. 5ft MWA: +5 for 1d8+2 piercing damage.

I'd be fine if my use of "for" was instead "Hit:" or that "piercing damage" was just "p".

 

[dave2008]

Yes. I think sky flourish is right. We know melee is five feet, unless told otherwise. We don't need the word roll. We know the traits apply to the sphinx. So many unneeded words. I have zero interest in natural language in a statblock..... Make it ridiculously easy to run. A lot of this could be in a secondary block.... But that might take up an extra inch of space? In any event, it is what it is.

Well they did streamline it some. The have removed "one target" - I assume when the target is only one. The also removed "to hit," and just provide the attack bonus. The "melee attack roll" is actually shorter than the former "melee weapon attack". also disagree about the melee reach, but I guess like the targeting, it could only apply when it is over 5'

 

[Zaukrie]

Well they did streamline it some. The have removed "one target" - I assume when the target is only one. The also removed "to hit," and just provide the attack bonus. The "melee attack roll" is actually shorter than the former "melee weapon attack". also disagree about the melee reach, but I guess like the targeting, it could only apply when it is over 5'

Right, for me, of it isn't normal, say so. But the vast,vast, vast, majority is five feet. Don't even need attack, in there, really. We know what melee means.

 

[dave2008]

Right, for me, of it isn't normal, say so. But the vast,vast, vast, majority is five feet. Don't even need attack, in there, really. We know what melee means.

You have to realize that because you know, doesn't mean everyone does. These should work for all players. I have heard people pine for the old 1e era abbreviated state blocks in modules. I had those, to me, being, among other things, dyslexic, they look like a jumble of numbers and letters and not something I can extract useful information from. An action devoid of any descriptions would trend to close to that for my personal preference.

 

[Demetrios1453]

If you move the Challenge Rating up to the top in bigger font then you get my vote. Otherwise they're identical to me I don't care about the color

They really should put at the top, and in large print - CR, AC, and average HP (with HD next to it in smaller print in case I actually do want to roll it up). Those three things are the most vital things for a DM, and make it much easier to start combat quickly (and run it smoothly, so I don't have to hunt down the AC, especially if there's a mixed group with multiple ACs in a fight!)

 

[dave2008]

If you move the Challenge Rating up to the top in bigger font then you get my vote. Otherwise they're identical to me I don't care about the color

They really should put at the top, and in large print - CR, AC, and average HP (with HD next to it in smaller print in case I actually do want to roll it up). Those three things are the most vital things for a DM, and make it much easier to start combat quickly (and run it smoothly, so I don't have to hunt down the AC, especially if there's a mixed group with multiple ACs in a fight!)

How about something like this:

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I've always kind of wondered why they don't just put the 1d20 into the attack - I know that it's unnecessary for people who know, but it's good for beginners and they use unnecessary words all the time. Like why do you need the word "roll" when you could put in what you roll? Roll would then be very obvious.

For example, in the above block you'd put:

Rend. Melee Attack: 1d20+5 Hit: 5 (1d4+3) slashing damage plus 7 (2d6) radiant damage.

In a perfect world (for me) I'd switch the dice and the averages' brackets, so it would look like this:

Rend. Melee Attack: 1d20+5 Hit: 1d4+3 (5) slashing damage plus 2d6 (7) radiant damage.

... but that last one might just be me.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Also, thinking about it, I'm not fond of the use of Trigger and Response.

I think that it works just as well, yet smoother, to replace "Trigger" with "When" and "Response" with a comma. I think the concept of Trigger and Response should be talked about in the rules, but it doesn't need to be called out over and over in the statblock.

So, for example, the above block would read:

Burst of Ingenuity (2/day): When the Sphinx or another creature within 30 feet makes an ability check or saving throw, the Sphinx adds 2 to the roll.

 

[dave2008]

I've always kind of wondered why they don't just put the 1d20 into the attack - I know that it's unnecessary for people who know, but it's good for beginners and they use unnecessary words all the time. Like why do you need the word "roll" when you could put in what you roll? Roll would then be very obvious.

For example, in the above block you'd put:

Rend. Melee Attack: 1d20+5 Hit: 5 (1d4+3) slashing damage plus 7 (2d6) radiant damage.

In a perfect world (for me) I'd switch the dice and the averages' brackets, so it would look like this:

Rend. Melee Attack: 1d20+5 Hit: 1d4+3 (5) slashing damage plus 2d6 (7) radiant damage.

... but that last one might just be me.

That is not a bad idea, but not sure it save's space or is more clear. I would need at least one of those to make the change. I will think about it though. How about:

Rend. Melee Attack: d20+5. Hit: 5 (1d4+3) slashing damage plus 7 (2d6) radiant damage.

 

[dave2008]

Also, thinking about it, I'm not fond of the use of Trigger and Response.

I think that it works just as well, yet smoother, to replace "Trigger" with "When" and "Response" with a comma. I think the concept of Trigger and Response should be talked about in the rules, but it doesn't need to be called out over and over in the statblock.

So, for example, the above block would read:

Burst of Ingenuity (2/day): When the Sphinx or another creature within 30 feet makes an ability check or saving throw, the Sphinx adds 2 to the roll.

Well what you suggest was the 2014 standard. However, I know from experience (and WotC seems to agree) many people are confused by reactions and I think the trigger and response adds clarity. However, they take up space, so I do need to consider them some more.