D&D (2024) D&D Monster Manual (2025)

[mamba]

Monster design in Tier 1 is different from monster design in Tier 2 or monster design in Tier 3 or monster design in Tier 3.

so don’t scale AC, HP, number of attacks, damage per round linear, I am not sure it needs anywhere as much space as you suggest

 

[Minigiant]

Fixing that would not necessarily make them radically overcomplicated. Other 5e games have done it.

Other 5e games aren't made by WOTC.

so don’t scale AC, HP, number of attacks, damage per round linear, I am not sure it needs anywhere as much space as you suggest

Well it isn't.

Damage and HP growth on a curve.
Effects have DPR equivalents
AC is linked to HP
ETC

 

[the Jester]

WOTC is actually better off designing a monster builder on DND beyond that lets you pick a CR, monster role, theme, and equipment then do all the math behind the scenes.

Hard disagree. Not everyone uses, or wants to use, DnD Beyond. I, for one, never want to be obligated to use digital tools for my game. That was one of the biggest flaws with 4e.

 

[the Jester]

Other 5e games aren't made by WOTC.

Well it isn't.

Damage and HP growth on a curve.
Effects have DPR equivalents
AC is linked to HP
ETC

Then spell those things out. It's not hard. And DMs aren't stupid- and we could absolutely use those rules or guidelines.

 

[Minigiant]

Hard disagree. Not everyone uses, or wants to use, DnD Beyond. I, for one, never want to be obligated to use digital tools for my game. That was one of the biggest flaws with 4e.

The issue is 5e
It's math wasn't designed to be simple.

5e was designed on vibes.
Trying to reverse engineer "vibes" into a simple system with low criticism when you failed the first vibecheck is nearly impossible for the main IP holder unless you are willing to dedicate the pages to it.

 

[dave2008]

From the tidbits I heard, it's not a universal change. Only a few monsters will have B/P/S resistance.

Werewolves don't have it, for instance.

Yep, that is my understanding too

 

[dave2008]

It was under tuned BECAUSE it was too simplistic.

No, that is incorrect. It doesn't seem like you know what you talking about on this subject so I will agree to disagree and end it here.

 

[abirdcall]

I don't think there can be better custom monster rules than just picking a monster to use a template and then altering it.

It is a lot faster too than trying to create one from scratch.

 

[Zaukrie]

Hard disagree. Not everyone uses, or wants to use, DnD Beyond. I, for one, never want to be obligated to use digital tools for my game. That was one of the biggest flaws with 4e.

You didn't need digital to play 4e. Any more than 5e.

I will likely but this in hard copy, but I'm selling most of my other hard copy monster books so maybe not. I do like paging thru them....

 

[Parmandur]

I don't think there can be better custom monster rules than just picking a monster to use a template and then altering it.

It is a lot faster too than trying to create one from scratch.

Sufficient, probably. But more detail is always nice in a tool.