D&D (2024) 5e 2024 − The Monster Math

[Yaarel]

This is a thread for understanding the numbers and the gaming implications for the 2024 Monster Manual.

All analyses are welcome. Where necessary, distinguish between what the official numbers are, versus what they might ought to be.

Here is the Alphastream video starting the conversion. In it, Teos mentions other analysts as well.

 

[Yaarel]

For a simplification, the hit points of a creature approximate 15 x (CR + 1), but can vary notably depending on concept.

(Perhaps the fractional CR should have been named "⅔, ½, and ⅓", then most of formulas could plug in the CR value as-is.)


The updates for combat formulas in 2024 are less drastic than one might have anticipated. 2014 monsters will at least continue to work as well as they have been. Most of the changes are for consistency, such as if switching from melee to range or spell, each combat option will be about equally effective.

 

[Sulicius]

One thing to keep in mind is that it should be easier to hit the intended CR now. It should be more clear which attacks to use and spells to cast, but also a lot of the resistance to nonmagical b/p/s damage has been removed for more HP. At my tables, PC's often had magic weapons, so even if the math was right, the result was always a monster with 30% too little hp.

I am curious so see some graphs!

 

[Yaarel]

Here is a screen shot from the Alphastream video. Interestingly, Teos has early access to the 2024 Monster Manual, and can relate the statistical averages but not details at this time.

He compares the 2024 math to his own recommendations that he publishes in Forge of Foes.

 

[overgeeked]

Here’s an hour-long video of Teos Abadía breaking down the monster math from the 2024/2025 MM.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Oh, c'mon! I don't have an hour ATM to watch it - any tidbits?

 

[MerricB]

Oh, c'mon! I don't have an hour ATM to watch it - any tidbits?

He does math.

Some of the really interesting things in the first half include how he (Wizards?) calculate DPR for CRs: Any area effect attack/spell always hits (just) 2 targets, players always fail saves, and monsters always hit. EDIT: I think he implied it's how Wizards do it, but I may have misheard.

Still have to watch the second half where he gets into the monsters!

 

[darjr]

He does math.

Some of the really interesting things in the first half include how Wizards calculate DPR for CRs: Any area effect attack/spell always hits (just) 2 targets, players always fail saves, and monsters always hit.

Still have to watch the second half where he gets into the monsters!

Is that in the MM?

 

[overgeeked]

Is that in the MM?

No. Those are the assumptions made by people calculating DPR for this stuff. There's zero indication that WotC does this. They might, but they haven't said either way. It's just common practice.

 

[MerricB]

Just double checked - Teos definitely says the 2 target assumption is done by Wizards.

19:30 in the video.