DMG Excerpt: Customizing Monsters

[Shroomy]

http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/4ex/20080418a

 

[Cam Banks]

That's a really elegant set of rules. I especially like the "change level" thing, given how clumsy it used to be to add or remove Hit Dice from creatures in 3.X.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[MaelStorm]

Great article plus awesome art too. But the biggest punch is in the intro, next monday we'll have the Warlord class preview from the PH. Two thumbs WotC, great job.

 

[scrubkai]

Hmmm... Int adds to AC

 

[marune]

Before someone complains that Vampires are no more killed by Sun light, recall that Dracula wasn't

 

[Kwalish Kid]

Before someone complains that Vampires are no more killed by Sun light, recall that Dracula wasn't

If sunlight does radiant damage 0, then vampires will take 10 damage per round in sunlight.

 

[psionotic]

Hmmm... Int adds to AC

I believe that EITHER Int or Dex add to AC (whichever's higher), as AC is now a function of [Reflex Defense + Armor's rating].

 

[Rex Blunder]

Why do vampire lords resist 5 necrotic at 1st level and 10 at 11th level? They have a prerequisite of 11th level.

 

[Hussar]

One thing I'm not entirely sure about:

This process works best for adjusting a monster’s level up to five higher or lower. Beyond that, the monster changes so much that you’d do better to start with another creature of the desired role and level range.

So, I can't take an orc beyond 5 levels up? No more 15th level orc barbarians? Or, rather, these rules don't work very well outside of that fairly narrow band of 5 up or down?

I'm not sure if I'm all that happy about that.

Or, am I missing something vital?

 

[Scholar & Brutalman]

Boosting a monster’s level is easy. Just increase its attack rolls, defenses, and AC by 1 for every level you add.

This is twice the level bonus for PC and standard monster progression. I wonder why the difference.