D&D 5E A monster stat block should always fit on one side of one page maximum (a poll)

[Benjamin Olson]

While I voted "as long as it needs to be", I think really only creatures who have mythic forms, or who are both high level monsters and high level spellcasters should be longer than a page. Or if they are a complicated creature who is also wielding a complicated artifact weapon I'd rather have that worked into the stat block than have to cross-reference it the whole fight.

So basically 99% of creatures should be one pagers or substantially less. But I'd rather have the version of Vecna that gives him godlike powers, and all the spells of a beyond Archmage wizard, and gave me additional notes for when he is wielding his lost hand and/or eye, then have a substandard Vecna just to make it fit on one page.

 

[the Jester]

I actually just did a massive update of all my homebrew monsters and printed out three binders worth of 'em. My approach was to ensure each stat block was on the same piece of paper, so I never have to worry about keeping two sheets of paper together.

That said, in a book, a stat block should be as long as it needs to be, but vanishingly few should take more than one page.

 

[tetrasodium]

I think that getting rid of monster feats from 3.5 was a mistake that caused pointless stat block bloat. Those feta were quickly learned by the gm & provided a great way to insert easily interchangeable shorthand into statblocks

 

[jgsugden]

Stat blocks exist on paper and in digital formats. The rules for each should be different as they have different capabilities.

For a pen and paper stat block, we should always be striving to be efficient. Maximize utility, quality and aesthetics (with favoritism towards utility and quality over aesthetics). To that end, we should not have any firm rules. We need to maintain felxibility to optimize the presentation. Efficient and concise presentation should be one of the goals we are balancing - but if the proper presentation of a monster requires more text, don't skimp on the quality of the monster just to hit a self imposed limit.

For digital representations, such as we have on D&DBeyond, we should make use of the technology. You should have multiple views of a monster - including one that is useful to track it in combat that provides only the most essential statistics (AC, HP, saves, etc.), one that has everything accessible by hovering over the titles of abilities (you hover over the 'Monstrous Rage' ability and can see the text of it and click on it to automatically roll the underlying attack), and one that matches the paper format with links to auto roll dice, link to definitions through tool tips, etc...

 

[overgeeked]

The smaller the better. More room for description and lore.

Griffon: Init +2; Atk bite +9 melee (2d6) and claw +5 melee (1d6); AC 17; HD 7d10; MV 30', fly 80'; Act 2d20; SV Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +4; AL N.

That’s about perfect.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I say, I want it on one page with all. The only thing I can see taking more than one page are really high level solo monsters. Critters need to be really simple.

 

[aco175]

I tend to copy/paste monsters from a file to my module to make things easy for myself and not have to open a book or shuffle around to find the stat. If I run into a long statblock with a few abilities I may shrink the font on things like the swallow ability or petrification. I find these tend to be situational and could be pared down some. The main parts of the statblock are large enough to last the encounter and then die.

 

[Vaalingrade]

Monster entries should only exist if they're presenting an interesting monster. Therefore, they should actually rarely be one page.

 

[Deset Gled]

The point of the stat block is to be a quick reference that gives you easy access to the info you need in the middle of play.

A stat block more than one page is like driving 20 miles to get gas for your car, waiting in an hour long line for a fast food restaurant, or paying service fees for Ticketmaster to email your tickets. I have accepted that these things will occasionally happen in life, but I don't have to like it.

 

[Rabulias]

Griffon: Init +2; Atk bite +9 melee (2d6) and claw +5 melee (1d6); AC 17; HD 7d10; MV 30', fly 80'; Act 2d20; SV Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +4; AL N.

That seems close to what I often use for shorthand, though I assume this is for general monster reference and not a specific creature as you do not list HP. Not clear on the "Act 2d20" entry, though. What is that for? Am I just having a brain cloud moment?