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<blockquote data-quote="Andor" data-source="post: 5838081" data-attributes="member: 1879">Must? Of course not. You could build all the monsters with detailed construction rules and there would be no downside beyond the GM workload.But it's not mandatory. In any event the simplified stat block I suggested does not imply one way or the other what construction rules the monsters have to use. It merely points out that what I view as the central revelation of 5e applies as well to monsters as it does to PCs.To wit: Mechanical systems need to be explicitly defined only at points of interaction. So an if an orc has an AC of 17 and 14 hp that's all you need to know in the stat block. Whether you got there by using three humanoid hit dice with the toughness feat and a suit of chainmail or by following the 3rd level striker guidelines dosn't matter. Likewise if the Orc shamans spell is identical to a druids spell, is a unique monster ability, or is a psionic ability modified by two feats, a prestige class and a magic item doesn't matter. All the GM needs to know is &quot;10' radius blast 3d6 damage and dex save vs 14 or be slowed for 1 round.&quot;</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Andor, post: 5838081, member: 1879"] Must? Of course not. You could build all the monsters with detailed construction rules and there would be no downside beyond the GM workload. But it's not mandatory. In any event the simplified stat block I suggested does not imply one way or the other what construction rules the monsters have to use. It merely points out that what I view as the central revelation of 5e applies as well to monsters as it does to PCs. To wit: Mechanical systems need to be explicitly defined only at points of interaction. So an if an orc has an AC of 17 and 14 hp that's all you need to know in the stat block. Whether you got there by using three humanoid hit dice with the toughness feat and a suit of chainmail or by following the 3rd level striker guidelines dosn't matter. Likewise if the Orc shamans spell is identical to a druids spell, is a unique monster ability, or is a psionic ability modified by two feats, a prestige class and a magic item doesn't matter. All the GM needs to know is "10' radius blast 3d6 damage and dex save vs 14 or be slowed for 1 round." [/QUOTE]

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