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<blockquote data-quote="Quickleaf" data-source="post: 7013795" data-attributes="member: 20323"><p>Generally, I'm hesitant when it comes to people converting 4e monsters because, well, I played (and enjoyed) 4e but there were things I really didn't like. However, I really appreciate your mission statement and the design sensibility you seem to have, so happy to help. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p></p><p>I rarely convert "straight from edition X" monsters. I think with 4e, in particular, that's a trap. Instead, I do "inspired by multiple past editions, possible with a creative twist" monster conversions. In particular, there's a LOT in AD&D (1e/2e) that's worth going back to.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>As a former 4e DM of many years, one of the things I didn't like was using tokens/bottle cap rings to track the umpteen-million conditions going around the table. In bigger fights I felt like I needed a holographic projector (or video game) to keep track of the conditions that were flying around. It was an unnecessary time-sink, pain in the DM arse, and even experienced players would often forget conditions on their PCs. Do I personally want that back in the game? No, thank you.</p><p></p><p>Also, think about how you're putting <strong>recharge</strong> (DM has to devote mental space to check whether power recharges) on an ogre, which is often encountered in groups. Some of the monsters with recharge (5-6) powers – behirs, chimera, dragons – fit a more classical solo monster role. However, others – ankhegs, giant spiders, and winter wolves – are usually encountered in groups. I personally consider that an example of shortsighted design; rolling for multiple recharge powers and keeping track of which monster has recharged is a pain in the DM arse. On paper, it looks good. At the table, it plays slow and annoying.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Anyhow, about stunned. Monsters don't dish it out until CR 6 (vrock) or CR 7 (mind flayer). My hunch was this corresponded to some spell that clerics would get to remove the stunned condition, but turns out neither of the <em>restoration</em> spells do that... So maybe it simply has to do with having enough hit points? Because the CR 2 carrion crawler can dish out paralyzation.</p><p></p><p>As a design aesthetic, 5e has moved away from taking PCs out of the action for long periods of time (just look at the huge nerf to carrion crawler paralyzation!). Imposing "stunned" more than once-in-a-blue-moon just isn't fun at the table because it rarely rarely leads to interesting decision points. Sometimes you might provoke an interesting choice for other members of the party, but that's far from guaranteed.</p><p></p><p>As an alternative, taking my points above into account, here's an idea...</p><p></p><p>[SECTION]<strong>Improvised Clobbering (recharge short or long rest).</strong> The ogre grabs something big and heavy from the surrounding environment, uprooting it or breaking it off if necessary, and drops it squarely on a target's head. <em>Melee Weapon Attack:</em> +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. <em>Hit:</em> 24 (4d8+8) bludgeoning damage, and if the target is Large or smaller it is also knocked prone and must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or be restrained underneath the object. A DC 19 Strength (Athletics) check as an action lifts the object, freeing the target. Damaging the object may free the target as well at the DM's discretion.[/SECTION]</p><p></p><p>What this does is put the PCs in a "spot" with options for creative solutions. Does the fighter want to devote time to hacking the object apart, or risk trying to lift the heavy object on his/her own? Does the druid have a spell that might destroy the object altogether like <em>blight</em> or <em>stone shape</em>? Does the wizard use <em>telekinesis</em>? Does the trapped PC have the ability to burrow due to a racial feature or a ranger's animal companion, just burrowing out to safety? That's the kind of lateral thinking that makes for a fun decision point.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>That right there explains our philosophical difference about monsters in a nutshell.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Happy to help <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> Good luck with your project!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Quickleaf, post: 7013795, member: 20323"] Generally, I'm hesitant when it comes to people converting 4e monsters because, well, I played (and enjoyed) 4e but there were things I really didn't like. However, I really appreciate your mission statement and the design sensibility you seem to have, so happy to help. :) I rarely convert "straight from edition X" monsters. I think with 4e, in particular, that's a trap. Instead, I do "inspired by multiple past editions, possible with a creative twist" monster conversions. In particular, there's a LOT in AD&D (1e/2e) that's worth going back to. As a former 4e DM of many years, one of the things I didn't like was using tokens/bottle cap rings to track the umpteen-million conditions going around the table. In bigger fights I felt like I needed a holographic projector (or video game) to keep track of the conditions that were flying around. It was an unnecessary time-sink, pain in the DM arse, and even experienced players would often forget conditions on their PCs. Do I personally want that back in the game? No, thank you. Also, think about how you're putting [B]recharge[/B] (DM has to devote mental space to check whether power recharges) on an ogre, which is often encountered in groups. Some of the monsters with recharge (5-6) powers – behirs, chimera, dragons – fit a more classical solo monster role. However, others – ankhegs, giant spiders, and winter wolves – are usually encountered in groups. I personally consider that an example of shortsighted design; rolling for multiple recharge powers and keeping track of which monster has recharged is a pain in the DM arse. On paper, it looks good. At the table, it plays slow and annoying. Anyhow, about stunned. Monsters don't dish it out until CR 6 (vrock) or CR 7 (mind flayer). My hunch was this corresponded to some spell that clerics would get to remove the stunned condition, but turns out neither of the [I]restoration[/I] spells do that... So maybe it simply has to do with having enough hit points? Because the CR 2 carrion crawler can dish out paralyzation. As a design aesthetic, 5e has moved away from taking PCs out of the action for long periods of time (just look at the huge nerf to carrion crawler paralyzation!). Imposing "stunned" more than once-in-a-blue-moon just isn't fun at the table because it rarely rarely leads to interesting decision points. Sometimes you might provoke an interesting choice for other members of the party, but that's far from guaranteed. As an alternative, taking my points above into account, here's an idea... [SECTION][B]Improvised Clobbering (recharge short or long rest).[/B] The ogre grabs something big and heavy from the surrounding environment, uprooting it or breaking it off if necessary, and drops it squarely on a target's head. [I]Melee Weapon Attack:[/I] +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. [I]Hit:[/I] 24 (4d8+8) bludgeoning damage, and if the target is Large or smaller it is also knocked prone and must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or be restrained underneath the object. A DC 19 Strength (Athletics) check as an action lifts the object, freeing the target. Damaging the object may free the target as well at the DM's discretion.[/SECTION] What this does is put the PCs in a "spot" with options for creative solutions. Does the fighter want to devote time to hacking the object apart, or risk trying to lift the heavy object on his/her own? Does the druid have a spell that might destroy the object altogether like [I]blight[/I] or [I]stone shape[/I]? Does the wizard use [I]telekinesis[/I]? Does the trapped PC have the ability to burrow due to a racial feature or a ranger's animal companion, just burrowing out to safety? That's the kind of lateral thinking that makes for a fun decision point. That right there explains our philosophical difference about monsters in a nutshell. Happy to help :) Good luck with your project! [/QUOTE]
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