Design & Development: Elite Bulette

[Merlin the Tuna]

An Elite monster is one that's named - it's a unique. The elite monster usually has more HP, and some other ability. For instance, if it hits you you're slowed, or if you strike it, it radiates electricity in every direction.

Oh cripes, Lightning Enchanted minibosses. Nobody tell WotC about those. I'm okay with a lot of video game concepts, but not with "sprays electrified death in a 10 mile radius every time you touch it."

 

[Irda Ranger]

Especially since there's been indications that HD = Level for monsters in the new edition.

From a podcast it is strongly inferred that HD do not exist.

The ultimate currency is D&D combat is "Combat Actions." The more combat actions you have, the more chances you have to kill the other guy.

I think Monster level is tied to BAB and AC. I expect Elite monsters will probably be able to 1) attack more often per round, 2) use area effects a lot (essentially multiple attacks in one), and/or 3) have more HP (allowing them to last longer in combat, which gives them more actions).

 

[Rechan]

Oh cripes, Lightning Enchanted minibosses. Nobody tell WotC about those. I'm okay with a lot of video game concepts, but not with "sprays electrified death in a 10 mile radius every time you touch it."

...

I think the concept is that unique creatures have unique abilities that separate it from the rest. If you want, call it "Spell-like abilities".

 

[Connorsrpg]

Yeay!
One thing i was hpoing for in 4E was for a shield to have meaningful use. How many pics are there of a warrior turning dragon breath aside by hiding behind their shield.

How does that work in 3E?? I really hope this is a hint of being able to use the shield for things other than +1 AC.

C

 

[MerricB]

I wonder though if a DnD elite is really just "more hit points". Especially since there's been indications that HD = Level for monsters in the new edition. As others have mentioned, it seems the ability to do area attacks (like the rock spray) bumps up a creature's threat level as well. Also, the bulette will most likely have a higher AC, plus for parts of the encounter it's practically invulnerable... being buried in the ground.

A D&D Elite monster is one that is balanced against two PCs of the same level.

There are a variety of ways that may be done, and they will be used.

Cheers!

 

[Merlin the Tuna]

I think the concept is that unique creatures have unique abilities that separate it from the rest. If you want, call it "Spell-like abilities".

I'm aware. I've just been playing Diablo 2 again lately, and Lighting Enchanted monsters are made of death and hatred.

The response was half tongue-in-cheek. Maybe should've had a smiley?

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

I'm wondering why they introduced this elite monster idea instead of just making the monster into a challenge for a higher level party. Perhaps they are responding to the concern that higher level (than the party) monsters can often result in PC deaths, so they purposely design the creature to be more challenging, yet not do damage to any one character too quickly?

I think that perhaps in many cases, a monster loses some of its impact if there are five of them. By making them elite, you can have fewer, and still challenge the party.

 

[mhensley]

Now this is the kind of information that we need to see. I could care less about race or demon fluff. Tell me how the damn game works and I'm much happier. The fight described here sounds great!

Of course, if they were really cool they would have given us a look at the bulette's stats.

 

[FadedC]

It's worth noting that in WoW an elite monster actually does considerably more damage then a non elite in addition to having more hps. However he does still have the same hit bonuses and defences as an equivelent monster. So players of it's level still have the same chance to hit it, zap it with spells, or be hit by it, it just hits way harder and takes alot more damage to kill. It probably also has much nastier/more dynamic special abilities.

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

I'm a little surprised that there hasn't been much talk yet about all the "opportunity attacks" that are getting thrown around in this article. Did I miss something, or are they backpedalling from their claims that AoOs aren't as easy to provoke? In this example round of combat, it comes up three times. First, the wizard is afraid that casting a spell will provoke one, then the bulette provokes by fleeing, then the other moves in such a way as to avoid provoking one.

What's the story there?