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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Chris_Nightwing" data-source="post: 6001580" data-attributes="member: 882">Time to wade into the discussion!I think there is a place for boss monsters in the game, but I don't think designations such as elite or solo belong on goblins. Let me explain..I think there should be tougher versions of ordinary monsters. There should be goblins with more hitpoints that take more than one hit to kill. These goblins have more hit dice, and thus gain whatever else a goblin gains when they increase hit dice, much like levelling up.There should be monsters who can stand by themselves against an entire party. Dragons for instance. They should have their hitpoints multiplied up not because they gain more hit dice (more levels) but because they are much, much bigger than PCs. I liked the idea that anything large would automatically be an elite (relative to its level or hit dice) because it's large! So it's attack bonus is the same as a medium version of the same creature, it's powers are the same, but it's HP and damage are doubled. For a dragon this would obviously be multiplied four times (and give them multiple actions!).I don't want a goblin chief to be able to stand on his own against a party unless he's significantly higher level than them. I want him to be tougher, to not die in one or two hits, but his HD should reflect this and hell, if the PCs gun for him then use his damned single hit die minions to get in the way. He should have leadership powers to have them leap in his way, or minions with guardian like powers* to make him harder to hit, but he shouldn't have his HD/HP doubled JUST so he takes longer to kill.I do want an ogre to have double HP and damage, but other bonuses in the same range as monsters of his level. Ogres should take much longer to kill, they should hit harder, and you shouldn't have to give them more HD to achieve this. I suppose I see things in a very 'physical' manner and find it hard to accept super tough low level goblin chiefs, they are too far removed from the other goblins in my head.I also suppose I always liked the 3E technique of hit dice controlling monster attacks and saves. It's much less work with 5E, since you should only have to change HP/damage at each level, and to-hit less frequently. A large pool of powers at the back of the MM would also make it easier to pick things out for your boss monster. I mean, why can't goblin chief have a speciality that gives him things as he gains HD? That way you know exactly what he'll get if you give him 2 more HD.*Kobold Dragonshields should absolutely do this, always staying beside their chief to protect him as he flings sorcerous bolts at the party.</blockquote>

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