D&D 4E 4e Monster Manual excerpt

[Fallen Seraph]

I imagine things like Charm, Dominate, Polymorph, etc. Will be described under a lexicon, so you know just how much you can do.

 

[Sojorn]

Supposedly, any monster that falls under that budget irrespctive of that level can be beat by the PCs. Thus, for example, the 6 pre-gen characters from DDXP should be able to beat a succubus and 2 kobold skirmishers.

The math breaks about when the monsters start jumping categories. A level 5 standard and a level 1 elite both cost 200 XP. The level 5 standard will be less interesting for the PCs to fight because it will get fewer actions and the PCs will miss more often, meaning a more protracted but ultimately less satisfying fight.

 

[HeavenShallBurn]

I have to say that their examples are... uninspiring. I don't really see any interesting powers at all and what they do have are anemic. I have the feeling that we may discover in their attempt to fix the math and extend the sweet spot they've compressed the power curve too much. A level 8 or 9 monster should wipe the floor with a party of lvl 1 pcs barring extraordinary luck or tactics.

 

[Moon-Lancer]

Why does a kiss need to hit ac? other then helmets, i fail to see how ac helps avoiding a kiss. shouldent it be reflex?

 

[FadedC]

I have to say that their examples are... uninspiring. I don't really see any interesting powers at all and what they do have are anemic. I have the feeling that we may discover in their attempt to fix the math and extend the sweet spot they've compressed the power curve too much. A level 8 or 9 monster should wipe the floor with a party of lvl 1 pcs barring extraordinary luck or tactics.

8th level players are supposed to be fighting groups of 5 or more 8th level monsters. It's not so bad if an entire 1st level party manages to barely kill 1.

 

[Xyl]

I have to say that their examples are... uninspiring. I don't really see any interesting powers at all and what they do have are anemic. I have the feeling that we may discover in their attempt to fix the math and extend the sweet spot they've compressed the power curve too much. A level 8 or 9 monster should wipe the floor with a party of lvl 1 pcs barring extraordinary luck or tactics.

A level 8 or 9 monster will certainly wipe the floor with one PC. Comparing a single monster against a whole party isn't a good comparison unless it's a solo monster.

 

[hong]

Why does a kiss need to hit ac? other then helmets, i fail to see how ac helps avoiding a kiss. shouldent it be reflex?

The succubus can kiss my helmet any time, BAY-BEE!

 

[Fallen Seraph]

Why does a kiss need to hit ac? other then helmets, i fail to see how ac helps avoiding a kiss. shouldent it be reflex?

That did feel odd to me, but I guess AC can work in that, she needs to kiss flesh, so things like armour, clothing, blocking, etc. that would prevent this would count as AC.

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

A level 8 or 9 monster should wipe the floor with a party of lvl 1 pcs barring extraordinary luck or tactics.

Why? They'd both be heroic tier characters, and even though the monster has a substantial level advantage it's also outnumbered.

A non-elite, non-solo level 8 or 9 monster should be a significant threat to a 5 man party of level 1 heroes, but an insta-win seems more than a bit overstated to me.

Conversely, a 5 man level 1 party should have a very hard time taking out a level 8 or 9 monster, but from what I've seen things are already pretty well balanced that way.

 

[mhacdebhandia]

War Devils having their weapon in hand be a recharge-based power sure is something, too. I'm not entirely surprised, given that they also provided us with a Mind Flayer that couldn't use its weapon in hand unless its opponents were flat-footed, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

Quite ridiculous, of course. Absolutely nothing prevents the war devil or the mind flayer from attacking with their weapons; however, just as is the case for a PC, this will likely be a less optimal choice than using a power.

In other words, the war devil can hit you with his trident every round if he wants to, but he can't impale you with the trident, cause you to take ongoing damage, slide you up next to him, and knock you down every round.

I suppose there is also nothing preventing you from narrating an at-will claw attack as a lunge with the trident, either.