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Message: <blockquote data-quote="pemerton" data-source="post: 3763791" data-attributes="member: 42582">I don't entirely agree, for the reasons I gave in my replies to Kamikaze Midget: When the nature of the challenge changes (eg the PCs try to sweet-talk the Brute) then the GM has to make a call (perhpas off the cuff, or perhaps there will be default rules in the DMG or the MM) about the parameters of the Brute as a social challenge. In that sense, metagame purposes can be flexible.But I do think you're right that it becomes trickier if the PCs charm a Brute and want to use it for some non-combat purpose. What non-combat stats should it be given? If I was thinking about how to implement mechanics to resolve this sort of situation without any prior constraints, I would look at some sort of system to facilitate player-GM negotiation: whether through Fate Points, or other concessions, the player who charmed the Brute is able to work with the GM to stipulate its other abilities.Given that we're talking D&D, it's unlikely those sorts of mechanics will be adopted. So I don't know how it will work, and I agree with you therefore that it might be a problem.There is one thing that might complicate the situation. You are assuming that your sample stat block is complete, in that it is a total picture of the monster. If that is what the designers intend, then I agree with those who say we have a design for overly limited purposes (eg designing purely for combat).For this sort of design approach to work, I think that it must be understood that the stats of a Brute are not the totality of its stats, but the stats it needs to play in the role the GM has assigned it. If the situation suddenly changes, and the Brute becomes the focus of a social challenge, then I am assuming the GM has to, at that point, generate a new statblock (off the cuff, or by application of some sort of default rule). In that sense, I am assuming that under the new system monster stats will be deliberately incomplete. Only PC stats will be complete, because only a PC has the metagame purpose of engaging in any challenge at any time.Thus, when the PCs charm the Brute and want to use it as part of a social ploy, it can't be assumed that the Brute's combat stats exhaust its abilities.If that's correct its reassuring, given the potential problem that I think Kraydak has raised.</blockquote>

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