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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ondath" data-source="post: 9093425" data-attributes="member: 7031770">I've been thinking about this, and I think one better way to present monster stats would be something like this:Lore Box. This is where all the fluff as well as the abilities that don't matter out of combat (such as spells and abilities that wouldn't find any use in combat, but could be used for the monster's regular habits, general plans etc.) goes. You could also add simple roleplaying directions for NPCs (like the important traits/ideals of an NPC, or the general behaviour of non-sentient creatures etc.)Combat Block. This is where you put their general stats, HP, AC etc. But you don't list all of their actions in bulk and expect the DM to intuit what their usual combat strategy should be. Instead, you put the creature's combat algorithm/tactics: The typical set of actions the monster will take in best circumstances to use its best ability, as well as any alternative approaches if its initial approach is denied. So, instead of listing every single spell a lich would use (and expecting the DM to know which of the 24 spells it'd prefer to use on turn 1), this section would list its ideal 3-turn strategy: Something like: Turn 1: Mass Hold Person, Turn 2 & 3: Disintegrate until no enemies are standing. And then you can list 2-3 alternative actions it might take in specific circumstances, with more intelligent/boss-like monsters getting more tactics listed: The lich might prefer a Fireball if 3 or more enemies are stacked together, or that it will cast Power Word Kill the moment there's an enemy under 100 HP etc. That way, the combat stats are both intuitive and simple to use (and probably take up less space), and you keep the lore box for simulation purposes (here, it might list all the Divination spells the Lich might have, as well as some bullet points for roleplaying a lich and so on).</blockquote>

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