Do you roll for your monsters stat?

[MichaelH]

If I understood the MM correctly the stat there are just for the standard guy. (human equivalent of 10 in each)

Actually, the standard array for creatures in the MM is three 10's and three 11's. To get the modifiers, you subtract 11 from any odd ability score and 10 from any even ability score.

Humanoid warriors use the nonelite array of 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, and 8. Advanced creatures use the elite array of 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, and 8. See pages 6 and 7 of the MM.

 

[JiffyPopTart]

The only thing I change from the MM stat block is I like to roll the HP for the monsters instead of each and every one having the average amount.

DS

 

[Deadguy]

The only thing I change from the MM stat block is I like to roll the HP for the monsters instead of each and every one having the average amount.

Funnily enough, so do I! I guess that as I request the PCs to roll their HPs then the least I can do is roll them for the monsters too.

 

[jgsugden]

I usually provide variants for each monster if there is a large group. For instance, if the PCs are invading an orc stronghold, they'll encounter archer orcs, foot soldier orcs, watchmen orcs, etc ...

Each version of 'average' creatures is made with a 12 point point buy character (equivalent to all 10s). An average orc has Strength 14, Intelligence 8, Charisma 8 and 10s in every other ability score. An archer orc might have a strength 12, dexterity 14, constitution 10, intelligence 7, wisdom 10 and charisma 7. A foot soldier orc might have a strength 18, dexterity 10, constitution 12, intelligence 7, wisdom 8, charisma 7.

Leader types get 20 points and are CR +1.

BBEGs get 30 points and a CR +2.

 

[Altalazar]

I just use the standard stats for an encounter, unless:

It is an important character - then I'll most likely assign the stats as needed. It takes too long to try and roll them up or even do point buy.

For a follower for a PC, I might roll things up just to give a little random, organic flavor, unless I have something very specific in mind for the character, in which case I'll assign stats.

I try to keep the random out of my world creation - occasionally, for flavor, something random will be thrown in, like minor pieces of random treasure with certain encounters and even random encounters while playing, but in the planning, I find it works out better when things are a little more coherent.

 

[Thanee]

If I understood the MM correctly the stat there are just for the standard guy. (human equivalent of 10 in each)

That's right. However, I usually do not roll for them, but decide their stats depending on their position. I.e. a leader of a bunch of ogres will be pretty strong and probably above average in other stats as well, otherwise he wouldn't be accepted in such a position.

Sometimes I roll for creatures encountered (using 3d6 only for standard and 4d6 drop lowest for elite), if there is a need to do so, like when the half-orc in my current group tried to talk to two ogres, I rolled for their intelligence to see, whether they could understand him or not. Both turned out to be pretty smart (10 and 11 INT respectively ), but unfortunately they could only speak Giant and Common, not Orc!

Bye
Thanee

 

[mmu1]

I always give them whatever stats I want to, I can't imagine creating a campaign only to give the NPCs random stats that don't fit their place in it. "Let's see, the court archwizard has a 15, two 13's, a 10, 9 and 8?"

On the other hand, I almost never give human or humanoid NPCs better stats (overall) then what the PCs have, because it always annoys me to no end as a player when the DM makes the bad guys stronger not because of more experience, or better magic items, or because they fight dirty , but simply because they have a lot more native talent than the PCs.

 

[Ranes]

The following example is typical of my approach to NPCs and creatures.

To come up with the alpha stats of the BBEG in a 1st-3rd level module I’m writing, I used Savage Species method B (take a creature’s stats straight out of the MM and apply a set of modifiers I’m suddenly not sure I can post). But anyway, four levels of sorcerer later and linked for your interest (hopefully), Jyrdjyd finally emerged.

For random encounters I use the MM and just roll hp.

 

[ThomasBJJ]

I only recently realized that the monster stats were figured so low. All 10's and 11's???? Man, my PC's are all 32 point-buy and min/maxed. No wonder the CR appropriate encounters seem to be so easy. All the fighters have 17 or 18 Str and 21+ AC's at 3rd level. They pretty much cannot miss a similarly equiped humanoid monster. And said monster cannot hit them without a 19 or 20 on the roll.

Lately I've been giving my monsters 28-32 point buy stats, and doing a little min/maxing myself.

As for Monster Manual hit point totals. I never use them. I start out giving the monster full Hp on his first HD. All even levels I roll, all odd levels I assign at 1/2 +1 (a d8 HD would equal 5... 1/2 x 8 +1). This is the same option my PC's have when they level up... even levels 1/2 HD or roll 1 time only an take result, odd levels 1/2 HD +1 or roll 1 time.

 

[Li Shenron]

I also keep the MM ability scores for monsters, except monsters which are used as races and gets class levels (for which I use ability modifiers and thet effectively are NPCs).

I have so far almost always planned NPCs as I wanted, but a few times I rolled for expendable minions (3d6 in order).

On the other hand, I always roll Hp. Just in case of a big monster with too many HD I don't bother rolling, or if an interesting monster rolls simply too few I may ignore the result or reroll. But clearly the more HD it has the less important is to roll.