D&D 4E Advancing 4E Monsters

[Lhorgrim]

I'm putting together a campaign after some time away from 4E, and I plan to use certain humanoids as common antagonists.

I have skimmed my books to see where the procedure for advancing monsters might be, but I can't seem to find it.

How do I make Orcs or Hobgoblins that can present an appropriate challenge to the party as they advance?

I don't want to run my campaign like: "Well, you hit X level so you don't ever fight Orcs anymore, now you have to fight Drow."

If you guys and gals can point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.

 

[Shin Okada]

DMG P.174 "Customizing Monsters"

 

[Lhorgrim]

Thanks.

That's exactly what I was looking for. For some reason my brain didn't connect "customizing" with "advancing" when I looked through the index.

 

[keterys]

If you plan to bump more than a couple levels, I'd suggest actually upping damage by more like 1 per level instead of 1/2 per level, fwiw. If you compare things like an 8th level critter with a 3rd or a 13th with an 8th, you'll see there's a lot more than just 2 damage between them

That said, learn that chapter, love it, it's good stuff

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I would not add 1 damage per level, but look at page 42 and give the right expression...

the +1/2 per level is just for doing it fast...

and when you are at level 42, also add some limited use powers if you are advancing them above level 10

 

[Piratecat]

If you're going to do this a lot, considering getting DDI for one month so that you can install the Monster Builder. It automatically does the math for this sort of monster customization, and saves me a ton of time.

 

[keterys]

I would not add 1 damage per level, but look at page 42 and give the right expression...

If you look at the chart closely, you'll actually see that it also has some flaws - like only going up 1 over 5 levels in some cases and not comparing as well to some creatures. It, too, is just for doing things quickly.

But, yeah, what Piratecat said. The monster builder can be slightly annoying sometimes, increasing things you don't necessarily want to... but by and large, it's very helpful, and then you can make your creatures into images and put them all on one sheet or whatever.

 

[Stalker0]

Use the advancement rules for up to +5 levels worth of bump. Past that it gets a little wonky.


Past that point, I would instead pick a monster of your desired type and level, then reflavor them with the racial ability of the goblinoid of your choice. With a few tweaks here and there its surprisingly easy to do.

 

[Jaxom]

If you're going to do this a lot, considering getting DDI for one month so that you can install the Monster Builder. It automatically does the math for this sort of monster customization, and saves me a ton of time.

I'll agree with this, DDI and the Monster Builder makes taking any monster and advancing it, or even toning down its power, much easier. I create custom creatures quite often and Monster Builder allows you to take any power from other monsters and place them in custom creations and the program adjusts the math automatically for you.

Additional bonus is that you get every monster from all of WOTC's published material. The database is periodically updated as long you keep your DDI subscription.

 

[Joshua Randall]

You also might want to consider whether your players will get tired of fighting the same type of monster over and over and over. It's your campaign and your players, so do what's best for you, but this is something to keep an eye on.