Best Creature Building Resource for V3/.5?

[magnusmalkus]

For D&D3.5, if you had to use a standardized system to custom build monsters, to what resource would you look?

I know of two books: The monster manual, I believe, has some index chapters on monster creation. And then there's Legends & Lairs Monster's Handbook.

I believe building monsters should be much like building characters. But I think they, like many things class specific, need their own process of development.

I'm workin' on that. Any suggestions for directions?

I took one element from 4th edition that I liked, that was the differeing flavor on a common mold. Like taking a kobold and branching it off into different niches, giving each branch different abilities in a very modular 'plug in and unplug' fashion. The kobold archer, the kobold assassin, the kobold neckbiter, so on and so forth...

 

[freyar]

Well, in 3.X, if you wanted to do different kobolds, you'd either make a new race of kobolds or add character classes to the standard kobold (which is what it sounds like you're doing).

The Pathfinder RPG Bestiary (available in the online SRD) has pretty good guidelines for monster creation. I know there have been other products that come well recommended, but I can't remember which. Practice seems like the best source.

If all you want to do is customize (instead of make new monsters), templates are the way to go, with HD advancement and class levels usually a little more work.

 

[jaerdaph]

I really liked FFG's Legends & Lairs Monster Handbook when it came out too. It was a shame that 3.5e came out shortly after and killed some (not all) of its usefulness.

A Magical Society: Beast Builder from Expeditious Retreat Press is another excellent resource for 3.5e monster building. You might want to check out their free resource A Magical Society: Guide to Monster Statistics as well.

 

[Shade]

Beast Builder by Expeditious Retreat Press is quite good. Lots of random tables if you like to be surprised by your creations.

Here's a preview:
http://e23.sjgames.com/media/XRP1004_preview.pdf