D&D (2024) 2024+ Monster Statblock options

[Quickleaf]

As an avid monster maker I am interested in the changes to the 2024 monster statblocks. There are lots of interesting structural changes that I am thinking about implementing in my homebrew monsters. However, I am not 100% sold on the new design and I am thinking about a hybrid approach. So, which do you prefer?

Option 1: 2024 Monster Statblock
View attachment 368538

Option 2: 2014/2024 Hybrid Monster Statblock
View attachment 368539

I'm pretty sure you're asking a layout question, so I'm zipping my mouth about content changes I would/do make.

Layout-wise, a few things:

• White or off-white backgrounds for text is the most modern and readable way to do it. D&D books have mostly left the textured papyrus look by the wayside, so that whole yellow tint / parchment border to the old statblock isn't really doing much for ease-of-acquiring-info. The text color choice - the reddish tint – matter here too, because red on yellow (to me) reads less distinct than red on white/light grey – I can read the text on white/light grey ever so slightly faster and feels like less eye strain. YMMV of course.
• Similarly, the curved bounding box is like a pendulum swinging too far in the other direction of "magazine article callout" or "scifi rpg text box." I don't see that adding anything to the usability/readability either, and it detracts from the feel of the game.
• Font in both are fine, but could do a little better with a more readable font choice – something like Merriweather that reads better at smaller font sizes might be a good idea.
• Color boxes around Stats/Saves are the kind of thing I can see working fine when the monster is used in isolation, but a new GM running a couple monsters could get confused between the Stat and the Save – ironically THOSE are the two boxes (Strength Stat Mod & Strength Save) that should be differentiated by the tone/hue of the color box, as opposed to the Stat below it. Linework could really help there to make it more clear at a quick glance.
• From a color-blind perspective (I am not, just used to game with a friend who had RGB color blindness), I don't think adding color tints to the color boxes around Stats/Saves is doing much. In fact, it's breaking the nice Text-on-White/Light Grey which is so readable.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I like the new one better. If I was going to change things about the new statblock, it would NOT be the colour, but more moving a couple of things around.

... I think that it's interesting that they gave them a "passive" Initiative. I'm not quite sure what we're meant to do with it, exactly.

 

[dave2008]

I'm pretty sure you're asking a layout question, so I'm zipping my mouth about content changes I would/do make.

Layout-wise, a few things:

• White or off-white backgrounds for text is the most modern and readable way to do it. D&D books have mostly left the textured papyrus look by the wayside, so that whole yellow tint / parchment border to the old statblock isn't really doing much for ease-of-acquiring-info. The text color choice - the reddish tint – matter here too, because red on yellow (to me) reads less distinct than red on white/light grey – I can read the text on white/light grey ever so slightly faster and feels like less eye strain. YMMV of course.
• Similarly, the curved bounding box is like a pendulum swinging too far in the other direction of "magazine article callout" or "scifi rpg text box." I don't see that adding anything to the usability/readability either, and it detracts from the feel of the game.
• Font in both are fine, but could do a little better with a more readable font choice – something like Merriweather that reads better at smaller font sizes might be a good idea.
• Color boxes around Stats/Saves are the kind of thing I can see working fine when the monster is used in isolation, but a new GM running a couple monsters could get confused between the Stat and the Save – ironically THOSE are the two boxes (Strength Stat Mod & Strength Save) that should be differentiated by the tone/hue of the color box, as opposed to the Stat below it. Linework could really help there to make it more clear at a quick glance.
• From a color-blind perspective (I am not, just used to game with a friend who had RGB color blindness), I don't think adding color tints to the color boxes around Stats/Saves is doing much. In fact, it's breaking the nice Text-on-White/Light Grey which is so readable.

Very helpful, thank you!

I am interested in content changes too. As I am getting more familiar with Homebrewery I am learning more about changing the default statbock so I can work in content changes more.

I am also not fond of the rounded edges and they almost made me reject the block to begin with, but other changes brought me back. I am working on a v3 that uses the off-white background with a version of the scroll look of the 2014 block. If I get that correct it will likely be what I go with.

I see what you mean by the color boxes; however, it is the new standard it appears. I don't have to use it of course, but I kind of like it. I will think about it.

 

[dave2008]

I like the new one better. If I was going to change things about the new statblock, it would NOT be the colour, but more moving a couple of things around.

... I think that it's interesting that they gave them a "passive" Initiative. I'm not quite sure what we're meant to do with it, exactly.

What do you suggest moving around? I am working on v3 that will blend some elements of both of these. I also want to bring back the Proficiency Bonus instead of it being included with the XP, which doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Zaukrie]

So many unneeded words. But I've come to accept bloat.

 

[DrJawaPhD]

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

 

[el-remmen]

As I am getting more familiar with Homebrewery I am learning more about changing the default statbock so I can work in content changes more.

I use homebrewry for my custom stat blocks as well (though mine are not more compact, because compactness is not my primary goal - though I do try to get rid of unnecessary [for me] verbiage)

 

[dave2008]

So many unneeded words. But I've come to accept bloat.

Do you mean in the actions / traits? I do kind of miss the 4e shorthand. I am think about doing something like that with my epic monsters, but want to stick closer to the official block for standard monsters

 

[dave2008]

I use homebrewry for my custom stat blocks as well (though mine are not more compact, because compactness is not my primary goal - though I do try to get rid of unnecessary [for me] verbiage)

View attachment 368561

Yes, that is standard 2014 statblock, I am talking about upgrading to the new 2024 statblock and then possibly making some additional changes.

Comapctness is important for me because I do a lot of epic / high tier monsters and they need more things to make them interesting

 

[Zaukrie]

Do you mean in the actions / traits? I do kind of miss the 4e shorthand. I am think about doing something like that with my epic monsters, but want to stick closer to the official block for standard monsters

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.