Can you define the role of the Balor?

[pawsplay]

To my knowledge (from the threads on the Monster podcast), the monster roles are:

[B]Horde		BBEG[/B]
Brute		Soldier
Skirmisher	Artillery
Ringleader	Controller

There are also the two "metaroles" or "superroles" of Minion (replace a regular monster with four minions of currently indeterminate lower ability) and Elite (replace two regular monsters with a monster with higher ability, presumably including some extra actions). Balors are definitely a candidate to be Elite, but their actual role strongly depends on what abilities they retain. A mix similar to the one they currently have would slightly point towards a controller role, though about every of the roles could be justified.

I'd have to say controller, with a "melee tarbaby" effect. Does anybody trade blows with one if they have a choice?

 

[hong]

I'd have to say controller, with a "melee tarbaby" effect. Does anybody trade blows with one if they have a choice?

Why not? Honestly, I'd rather melee a balor than a CR 20 dragon.

 

[frankthedm]

Why not? Honestly, I'd rather melee a balor than a CR 20 dragon.

Hopefully 4E will change your tune...

 

[Man in the Funny Hat]

With the pit fiend also in the game, the balor's role is that of the fifth wheel.

Pit Fiends are wee-wees.

 

[Anthtriel]

Those who suggested that Balors will become melee killing machines, whereas Pit Fiends will become leaders are probably right on the money. I suppose both will be elite monsters, with the Pit Fiend automatically having (or being able to summon), some minions.

Also, "Minion" is not a role, I expect, but just a designation of power, just like "elite".

Minion: Equal to-hit, lower AC and fewer HP than the average monster of its species. "Minion" probably means for every one regular monster, you can have two minions.
Elite: Equal to-hit, higher AC and more HP than the average monster of its species. One "Elite" probably qualifies as two average monsters (Meaning: if you were going to have four monsters in the fight, you can have two and an elite instead).

Nope, that's what level is for.

Minions are designed to be fought in great masses. To make that work, they will need to be simple to run: i.e. no reactionary abilities, no per-encounter abilities, few attacks per round, preferably just one.

Elites on the other hand are designed to be fought by themselves. As such, they can and need to be a lot more complicated, because the DM has not to deal with much else. As indicated by the Dragon fight preview, they will likely have multiple attacks per round, reactionary abilites, and limited abilities to keep track off (Breath Weapons come to mind).

 

[Pale]

I believe that their roles will be "Bad-Ass Mother... Shut Yo Mouth!"

 

[I'm A Banana]

Also, regarding the Balor, I think they will probably be in the same role as Dragons, as some sort of polymath monster. Of course, that is the default role, and it is possible to apply another in place, such as Brute or Skirmisher, to fit the needs of the particular battle(s) you'll be using them in...

I will be VERY interested to see if the MM addresses this.

While I grok roles, I think that tailoring most everything to the XP speedbump of combat that roles imply is really far too narrow of a pigeonhole. At least, I'd like to see social and party-based roles alongside combat ones.

 

[frankthedm]

And after hearing more recent developments, I'll bet the balor is going to be a Solo monster.

 

[Crashy75]

Don't open Nifft's box. It's scary in there.

Yeah, Scary Awesome!
EDIT: *on topic* Yeah, I think they will be solo monsters for level appropriate PC's.

 

[Warbringer]

BFSM

nuff said