D&D 5E Dec 17th Packet - Monsters and Math, Hurrah!

[MortalPlague]

At long last, we've seen the long-awaited improvement in monster math! The monsters have a buff across the board on attacks, and can finally hit the PCs on occasion. I've also noticed that corresponding with the PCs' drop in attack bonus, many monsters have seen a reduction in AC. Overall, I think this will work very well, though I can't wait to try it at my table tomorrow.

Also, we get a look at some of the big bad monsters from the upper tiers, including some iconic beasties like the beholder, maraliths, pit fiends, and the big boy Asmodeus himself.

Thoughts?

 

[Connorsrpg]

Haven't had a good look at the Bestiary, but I was mighty pleased to see class attacks drop off, especially at 1st level. I was even more rapt to see Wizards don't get Weapon bonuses at all

Oddly though the rogue steps up to the fighter attack progression and leaves the cleric behind...even war clerics?

 

[ArmoredSaint]

At long last, we've seen the long-awaited improvement in monster math! The monsters have a buff across the board on attacks, and can finally hit the PCs on occasion.
...
Thoughts?

On occasion? Monsters hit PCs all the time now! Almost nothing--not even the low-level monsters--has less than a +4/+5 to hit. I think they raised the Monsters' attack bonuses a bit too high this time around...

 

[Vicar In A Tutu]

I love the fact that Trolls can get their limbs hacked off, and that the limbs continue to regenerate. If the limb in question regenerates to 66 hit points, it becomes a brand new troll. Awesome!

 

[Kobold Stew]

I love the fact that Trolls can get their limbs hacked off, and that the limbs continue to regenerate. If the limb in question regenerates to 66 hit points, it becomes a brand new troll. Awesome!

One of nature's little miracles.

 

[DEFCON 1]

I think they raised the Monsters' attack bonuses a bit too high this time around...

Probably intentional.

That's how they can find the butter zone. Offer up both ends of the spectrum (first too low, then too high) to see what people's reactions are. That way you can then begin finding the middle ground that is just right.

Goldilocks And The Three Bears is playtesting in a nutshell.

 

[TerraDave]

Damage for a lot attacks now feels low. Especially with the damage boosters most classes are now getting.

 

[MortalPlague]

On occasion? Monsters hit PCs all the time now! Almost nothing--not even the low-level monsters--has less than a +4/+5 to hit. I think they raised the Monsters' attack bonuses a bit too high this time around...

We'll see how it goes. I'm going to be playing this tonight with my group, and in my experience, monsters rarely stick around for more than a round or two anyway, so this time, they'll be able to get in a hit before they perish. Of course, with the reduction in PC accuracy too, things might be a bit skewed.

Either way, it's about time monsters had teeth.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

too bad i will not be playtesting until next year...

but IMHO Armor of higher level monsters like dragons is too low. PC´s should get an increase in attack bonus and reduction in level 1 damage. Monsters and PCs should have the same math backing them up. (That is: stat plus a flexible, but comparable bonus)

In this packet, monster and player math has just been switched... now PCs all hit like a truck, but have a lot harder time to hit, while monsters are hitting soft but consistent...
oh my... maybe I should play the old test with new monsters or new test with old monsters.

And low level hp are only relevant when you are using TWF and hit with your offhand weapon, which ecieves no bonus.

And I am still believeing, that stat bonus needs to be removed from damage... would make a lot of things easier. Maybe the fighter and rogue should get special abilities like: at level 3, rogues add their dex modifier to damage, and fighters get the same with strength...

 

[Viking Bastard]

And I am still believeing, that stat bonus needs to be removed from damage... would make a lot of things easier.

I thought they had cut out stat bonus to damage. Were they just musing?