D&D 4E Alter Self/Polymorph Magic in 4E?

[Milambus]

"4E: Just do it?"

Not trying to spark an edition flame, but as a newer player I do have a question.

For those of you who have been DMing since 1st/2nd (and before), would you say that 4E's philosophy of "just do it", just make the monster do what you the DM wants is more in line with those early editions? Or was 3.x's systematic building of NPC/monsters closer to how things happened back then?

 

[ExploderWizard]

"4E: Just do it?"

Not trying to spark an edition flame, but as a newer player I do have a question.

For those of you who have been DMing since 1st/2nd (and before), would you say that 4E's philosophy of "just do it", just make the monster do what you the DM wants is more in line with those early editions? Or was 3.x's systematic building of NPC/monsters closer to how things happened back then?

Back then was the same as right now, different DM's handled things however they wanted to. Pre 3E though, there was less of the "where did you get that" audit mentality from some players. If the players have to know every detail about how everything in the multiverse operates then there isn't much fantasy left.

 

[timbannock]

"4E: Just do it?"

Not trying to spark an edition flame, but as a newer player I do have a question.

For those of you who have been DMing since 1st/2nd (and before), would you say that 4E's philosophy of "just do it", just make the monster do what you the DM wants is more in line with those early editions? Or was 3.x's systematic building of NPC/monsters closer to how things happened back then?

I remember my eyes glazing over every time I read a 2E monster book that had rules on creating monsters. It was obviously an attempt to do something hand-wavey in an organized way...generally not useful.

Then 3E came out and was so rigid that my eyes glazed over again...it told me to look at all the books the Players were using, plus the DMG and Monster books. Crazy!

4E's just right. DMG (about half a dozen pages of material, maybe a couple more with templates) plus a cursory glance at similar level monsters in the MM, and I'm done. No hunting, balancing compared to this spell or that power that the Players have. Love it.

 

[Quartz]

Dryads have the ability too.

 

[feuer_faust]

Remember this: the GM doesn't actually need rules.

The fundamental flaw with creature creation in third was that it simply created a creature of level X. Against four-six other creatures of that level, it was doomed. In Fourth Edition, the emphasis is more on doing what it takes for the critter to be both survivable and interesting (even if it means completely making stuff up).

For those audit-minded players ("how did he do that, that's not a level 5 spell!"), you have a few options:
1- Say "Quit metagaming you turd!"
2- Say "Puzzling, isn't it? Wonder where he found that trick out..."
3- Say "Because, now what was your Will defense again? Excellent."

 

[Baumi]

You could give him a "Hat of Disguise" (Adventurer's Vault Level 10 Item).

 

[timbannock]

You could give him a "Hat of Disguise" (Adventurer's Vault Level 10 Item).

Or the abilities thereof, without the actual hat!