DMG II Statblock - How Is It

[orcmonk220]

Indeed, I agree with the Power Attack. That is my main gripe. For HD type, can you not just look up the creature type and use that to check it out? i.e. All animals are d8, (I think?) isn't this the same with Dragons etc? :\

Chris

 

[Lilith]

If you're going to be converting some stat blocks, post 'em at DM Tools so that other people can get use of them, too!

 

[GoodKingJayIII]

For HD type, can you not just look up the creature type and use that to check it out?

Sure you could, but that's just more pages to thumb through. Not very convenient for tweaking.

 

[billd91]

Well, ok. It doesn't really effect gameplay. But then, I'm not just looking at the statblock from just a gameplay perspective, either. If I need the straight stats on your run-of-the-mill Balor, then it's fine.

But I'm a guy that likes to tweak things. I'll adjust stats on a monster here, or build one up from scratch. Why obscure the rules? I don't get it. We're trying to teach people how to play, not confuse them even more.

I think HD type should be there, because it's an easy reference to "creature type determines HD type," so if I'm looking at a Balor, know it's an Outsider, and it has d8 HD, then I know that all outsiders have d8 HD. That's a useful reference to me, and given the size of the statblock right now, it does not take up significant space.

As for me, and I do modify things pretty regularly, if I'm going to modify things, I'm going to have the book open. Sure, you could reverse engineer stat blocks, but why do so when it's easier to grab the book?
It's a question of working with the most efficient tools. I use the stat block during game time because the information is well organized for quick retrieval. I use the book to retool the stat block for modification becaues it's well developed for complete reference.

 

[MerricB]

The AC breakdown is certainly in the MM4; it should be in all other products, definitely. You *need* it in 3e. It certainly is in the sheets I make up for my campaign.

Full HD should be there for monsters in a MM; it's not *quite* as needed in an adventure.

Cheers!

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

They fixed those two things in the MMIV version...

Actually, they didn't. They only fixed AC; there isn't any HP breakdown.

 

[Pants]

So the main dislike is from people that have to create these stat blocks, rather than from people that have to use them?

I create monsters a lot (both advancing and from scratch) and I greatly prefer the new statblock especially over the confused mess that used to be the adventure statblock. When I ran RttToEE and I had to scan a page of statblocks for relevent information such as AC, Saves, Attacks, etc and I was spending more time scanning than finding, well, I pretty much migrated to the new statblock right away.

It does work for new creatures too, but it has some bugs and I consider the current Paizo implementation to be 'the best.' WotC, for whatever reason, keeps changing the layout or people doing work for them don't understand where things should go and this makes things especially hard for people like me who need to look through several books to find the 'right' version.

That's the worst part about it. It's a pain to write up, but when I'm running games, its simple layout and effective use of space more than make up for it.

 

[XCorvis]

Actually, they didn't. They only fixed AC; there isn't any HP breakdown.

Whoops, you're right. I wasn't quite sure what the OP was referring to at first.

 

[Ltheb Silverfrond]

The new Statblock format took a bit of getting used to, but now I daresay I love it.

At first I hated it, but WotC did a little article on their site detailing the how and why, and now I must say it is my preferred format for NPCs above 10th level, Dragons, and other Complex monsters.

I think the format is great for those who write adventures because it lets you convey the NPCs tactics and capabilities easily. (Little cross referencing, if everything is filled out) But if you are just running the adventure yourself, a short-hand writeup on an index card could work just as well.

I threw together a 100th level fighter-type with 5 prestige classes and man, did that stat block not only condense the text (1 page at size 8 font) into a readable format, (no huge paragraph of feats; I broke that section down into subsections for things like Mobility enhancers and Two-weapon fighting feats) but it puts everything where it needs to be. Bonuses for Dervish Dance or Tome of Battle Maneuvers? Right under it's full attack listing.

 

[airwalkrr]

The new stat block is king. Information is much easier to find. My one complaint is that it is longer, thus using more page space. But it is a forgivable sin for how much it has sped up gameplay.