Whizbang Dustyboots
Gnometown Hero
Please do come out with the reptilians book. Kobolds are the big adversary in my campaign, and clerics, sorcerers, rogues, warriors, fighters, rangers and more are all going to show up.
Any other Lazy DM's?
- Thread starter Firedancer
- Start date
Dr Simon
Explorer
I've been jumping out of canoes all weekend, so haven't had time to respond to this thread, but to those who asked:
The whole document is 119 pages and I just checked - of that, 112 pages are the stat blocks, the rest are introduction, index by CR, sample encounters, cover and OGL text. I also did a brief count of the number of stat blocks before it went out, and I got around 360 before my head went fuzzy.
I'll be putting a small PDF preview on the Creative Conclave site by the end of today so that people can get an idea of the stat content (there is a sample on the product page at Drivethru where you can see the index pages, but not the stats themselves which is something I will have to address).
I haven't seen the WOTC product - are we talking MM4 here? I think the essential nature of the Lazy GM series is simplicity and utility. There are stats for wierd character types (I'm quite fond of both the aquatic goblin were-shark adept and the fire hobgoblin druid) but there are also a lot of grunts of various kinds - goblin warriors level 1-8 extrapolated from the MM version, then goblin warriors 1-8 based around missile combat, fighter versions of the same (with more feats) and so forth. If you're a DM content to wing it as regards stats you could probably (to be honest) go without this book. If you like to feel that you have the rules to back you up, it's more likely your thing.
I tried not to assume too much about 'goblinoid culture' beyond the sketchy details in the MM since that can vary from game to game. You've got the raw nuts and bolts in this book and its up to you whether the hobgoblin clerics (for example) worship Maglubyet, The Mockery, Bane, Takhisis, Sauron, Stalin or whoever, and exactly what role, if any, goblin bards have in your setting.
The whole document is 119 pages and I just checked - of that, 112 pages are the stat blocks, the rest are introduction, index by CR, sample encounters, cover and OGL text. I also did a brief count of the number of stat blocks before it went out, and I got around 360 before my head went fuzzy.
I'll be putting a small PDF preview on the Creative Conclave site by the end of today so that people can get an idea of the stat content (there is a sample on the product page at Drivethru where you can see the index pages, but not the stats themselves which is something I will have to address).
I haven't seen the WOTC product - are we talking MM4 here? I think the essential nature of the Lazy GM series is simplicity and utility. There are stats for wierd character types (I'm quite fond of both the aquatic goblin were-shark adept and the fire hobgoblin druid) but there are also a lot of grunts of various kinds - goblin warriors level 1-8 extrapolated from the MM version, then goblin warriors 1-8 based around missile combat, fighter versions of the same (with more feats) and so forth. If you're a DM content to wing it as regards stats you could probably (to be honest) go without this book. If you like to feel that you have the rules to back you up, it's more likely your thing.
I tried not to assume too much about 'goblinoid culture' beyond the sketchy details in the MM since that can vary from game to game. You've got the raw nuts and bolts in this book and its up to you whether the hobgoblin clerics (for example) worship Maglubyet, The Mockery, Bane, Takhisis, Sauron, Stalin or whoever, and exactly what role, if any, goblin bards have in your setting.
Firedancer
First Post
I've checked out the Sample
Stat block spacing is just about ok (which is good - enough space to notice a new stat block, not too much waste).
Glad to see sorted by CR as well, and a good range of CR's too!
I like the way you've taken the critters down specialised routes (archer, heavy) as that gives some nice thought out foes. and reduced the waste spare of the moment foe can create.
The only thing I don't like is the environmental variants, they do belong in this sort of publications, its just I personally don't like the concept behind these variants.
Seems to me there is quite a wealth of stat blocks you can get from SRD; low CR humanoids as you've started on, plus you could add stuff to the SRD demons and devils to get advanced foes with really high CR.
I wonder if its worth doing an environmental approach; Lazy DM: Frozen wastes, taking a bunch of SRD monsters found in the frozen lands and adding templates or monstrous advancements, scattered with variety of leveled humanoids. I can see that being of use to me.
Cheers!
Stat block spacing is just about ok (which is good - enough space to notice a new stat block, not too much waste).
Glad to see sorted by CR as well, and a good range of CR's too!
I like the way you've taken the critters down specialised routes (archer, heavy) as that gives some nice thought out foes. and reduced the waste spare of the moment foe can create.
The only thing I don't like is the environmental variants, they do belong in this sort of publications, its just I personally don't like the concept behind these variants.
Seems to me there is quite a wealth of stat blocks you can get from SRD; low CR humanoids as you've started on, plus you could add stuff to the SRD demons and devils to get advanced foes with really high CR.
I wonder if its worth doing an environmental approach; Lazy DM: Frozen wastes, taking a bunch of SRD monsters found in the frozen lands and adding templates or monstrous advancements, scattered with variety of leveled humanoids. I can see that being of use to me.
Cheers!
Dr Simon
Explorer
Firedancer said:
To be honest, neither do I
. At least, I don't think that the ones on the SRD are all that interesting, coming down to maybe some slightly adapted ability scores, re-arranged skill bonuses and maybe a very specific special feature (I'm not sure, for example, how often an NPC monster character would need to worry about Fortitude saves against long term cold exposure). But I'm just working with what's there. You'll note that I missed a few out if you compare to Unearthed Arcana or the relevant portion of the SRD, mainly because they really weren't different enough to warrant inclusion. Even the laziest of DMs could add a +2 bonus to Gather Inforrmation and knock 2 points off Ride!
The Environmental route is a good idea, and definitely expect some high level creatures in the future. They're harder to stat up on the fly anyway. If you add 2 levels to a 7HD creature you've then got to remember that you've got an ability score bonus (8HD) and an extra feat (9HD) into the bargain. Plus you can get some really nasty CRs
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