Well, now that I've read the DMG2 update regarding monster creation, I'm a bit underwhelmed. I also have a feeling this was added very late in the development process of the book.
First, it's only one page and second the encounters / monster stat blocks that can be found throughout the book don't seem to conform to the new rules.
E.g., in the section on applying templates we're told to multiply Elite monster hp of level 11+ by 2.5.
None of the example encounters seem to take into account that in the paragon tier 5 minions are now supposed to be equivalent to a single standard monster. I'm not only unsure if this change actually helps all that much, I'm also wondering if that doesn't mean you'd have to recalculate minion xp?
I liked the monster themes but isn't it odd, adding those new powers doesn't change their xp value at all? A template often doesn't add much more but doubles the xp value.
And what's there to offset the fact that neither Elite nor Solo monsters get a defense bonus any more? Shouldn't they get something else instead, like increased damage or attack bonuses?
The default solution that Solos enter a 'blood rage' when bloodied and get an additional attack with a higher attack bonus seems pretty lame to me. I doubt this is going to make much of a difference considering the problems that Solo fights seem to have.
Am I the only one who really expected more from this section?
First, it's only one page and second the encounters / monster stat blocks that can be found throughout the book don't seem to conform to the new rules.
E.g., in the section on applying templates we're told to multiply Elite monster hp of level 11+ by 2.5.
None of the example encounters seem to take into account that in the paragon tier 5 minions are now supposed to be equivalent to a single standard monster. I'm not only unsure if this change actually helps all that much, I'm also wondering if that doesn't mean you'd have to recalculate minion xp?
I liked the monster themes but isn't it odd, adding those new powers doesn't change their xp value at all? A template often doesn't add much more but doubles the xp value.
And what's there to offset the fact that neither Elite nor Solo monsters get a defense bonus any more? Shouldn't they get something else instead, like increased damage or attack bonuses?
The default solution that Solos enter a 'blood rage' when bloodied and get an additional attack with a higher attack bonus seems pretty lame to me. I doubt this is going to make much of a difference considering the problems that Solo fights seem to have.
Am I the only one who really expected more from this section?
