DMG Excerpt: Customizing Monsters

[Spenser]

I think the goal for the adding a few levels is to grab something that's close to what you want and shim it to the right spot. For more something like 10 levels, you'd want to go a more formal route of adding class levels to an orc. This is more like a way to get a level 7 "tougher than average" orc as part of a fight.

Or maybe -- there are a whole bunch of "base" orcs scattered throughout a fairly wide level range. So if you want a higher-level orc, you start by modifying the 13th level Orc Champion rather than the 3rd level Orc Raider. (Edit: Beaten by Fallen Seraph!)

These rules for improving monsters are nice to know. But what about brand new monster creation? In particular, each 4e monster comes with a set of powers with unique names and effects. How do you invent a new 20th level monster and pick a set of unique, self-contained powers that are balanced for that level?

 

[Shroomy]

Or maybe -- there are a whole bunch of "base" orcs scattered throughout a fairly wide level range. So if you want a higher-level orc, you start by modifying the 13th level Orc Champion rather than the 3rd level Orc Raider.

These rules for improving monsters are nice to know. But what about brand new monster creation? In particular, each 4e monster comes with a set of powers with unique names and effects. How do you invent a new 20th level monster and pick a set of unique, self-contained powers that are balanced for that level?

That will probably be in a future excerpt (or we have to wait until the books are released).

 

[Spenser]

Interesting. Changing a monster's level changes its atk/def/AC by 1 per level. However, for PCs this is only 1 per 2 levels. Wonder how that works.

PCs have magic items with plusses, monsters don't. And when monsters do have magic items, they are nerfed according to level.

 

[charlesatan]

These rules for improving monsters are nice to know. But what about brand new monster creation? In particular, each 4e monster comes with a set of powers with unique names and effects. How do you invent a new 20th level monster and pick a set of unique, self-contained powers that are balanced for that level?

I suspect they will have a chart for the appropriate monster roles determining the appropriate AC, Defense, Attack, and HP.

Special abilities however are another thing but you can probably crib some examples from the DMG/MM.

 

[Hussar]

Thanks guys. I can see that. That makes sense.

 

[breschau]

I'd like to know what happens to an Elite that gets either of those templates.

 

[Sojorn]

I'd like to know what happens to an Elite that gets either of those templates.

"You can also advance an elite monster to a solo one by adding a template, then doubling its hit points and adjusting its saving throw as above.

This method is quick and easy, but it carries some risks. For example, the adjusted monster’s hit points might be lower than those of a typical solo monster of its level and role. Once you’ve finished the process, be sure to “reality check” the monster by comparing its statistics and abilities to others of similar power."

So you can produce solos this way basically.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

That was one sweet article.

Fitz

 

[Spenser]

And also, you can only stack two templates at most. That eliminates some of the craziness possible in 3e.

 

[baberg]

I. Love. Crunch.

Seriously, WotC? Keep it up. Charts and "Levels 1-5 = 0" and "Add 1 to all damages per 2 levels" and "At-will" and... Just keep it up. I'm loving it