D&D 5E (2014) FGG/Necromancer Games teases 5th Edition Foes

[Nellisir]

My suggestion: Don't skip a spell level, get rid of FoD in exchange for a 4th level spell. I think Blight is a good choice, it is a single target necromantic spell like FoD that does more level-appropriate damage.

Given the near-guarantee of ghouls in the area, hold person might be scarier than finger of death.

 

[Zaukrie]

Balance and formulas are over rated. Monsters should be unpredictable sometimes. There is no balance issue, if you put the monster up against a reasonable party level. This whole thread confuses this long time DM.

 

[Vaeron]

I'm not so concerned with balance. However, I am a bit concerned to see a project like this come out before the MM and DMG are published. Yea, I know Steve is a designer and all, so I will undoubtedly pledge. I just hope not to see a product like Legacy, Baldur's Gate, or Dragonspear that is only semi-compatible.

 

[JEB]

This seems perfectly functional for 5E, although I share the reservations others are having. It's just slightly off enough to reinforce my nervousness about backing a Kickstarter for a 5E monster book before the full core rules are released. (I was already having flashbacks to 3E's Creature Collection.)

If these get cleaned up before the actual publication, though, I'll probably pick up a copy at that time...

 

[Reynard]

I'm not so concerned with balance. However, I am a bit concerned to see a project like this come out before the MM and DMG are published. Yea, I know Steve is a designer and all, so I will undoubtedly pledge. I just hope not to see a product like Legacy, Baldur's Gate, or Dragonspear that is only semi-compatible.

I was under the impression that these books would not be out before the rest of the Core -- they are just doing as much work as they can before those materials are made public.

The bigger concern that has so far kept me from pledging is whether there will be an official license or some kind of OGL. What happens if WotC decides to attempt to block the books because stupid corporate legal mumbo jumbo?

 

[Charles Wright]

I'm not so concerned with balance. However, I am a bit concerned to see a project like this come out before the MM and DMG are published. Yea, I know Steve is a designer and all, so I will undoubtedly pledge. I just hope not to see a product like Legacy, Baldur's Gate, or Dragonspear that is only semi-compatible.

The MM will be out before our need to go to press.

 

[Charles Wright]

I was under the impression that these books would not be out before the rest of the Core -- they are just doing as much work as they can before those materials are made public.

The bigger concern that has so far kept me from pledging is whether there will be an official license or some kind of OGL. What happens if WotC decides to attempt to block the books because stupid corporate legal mumbo jumbo?

http://www.froggodgames.org/blog/about-legal-questions

 

[The Hitcher]

Are they unbalanced, or do they just encourage character research, scouting, planning, and strategy? I think they sound awesome. Clever players will reseach or scout, figure out that a full-frontal assault is too risky, and figure out some other angle. This makes me happy.

Agreed!

A couple of things that stood out to me in the flavour text:

a) Zombies aren't quite mindless in 5E. They have Int 4, from memory (Starter Set).
b) I'm pretty sure Protection from Evil as a concept no longer exists.

Small things, but worth noting for consistency.

 

[variant]

*twitch* Depends entirely how much my OCD flares up. *twitch*

G'day, Steve! My general thought is that I'm fine with it.

However, I'd prefer that when there are exceptions made, they're either called out or (with regard to spells) formatted in a way that doesn't cause confusion.

In this particular case, the placement evokes the 5E slot usage whilst not actually using it. Placing the numbers *after* the spells would probably ease my worries. Thus,

* 1st Level: inflict wounds (x2) (range 50 ft.)
* 2nd Level: see invisibility (x1)
* 3rd Level: dispel magic (x1), fly (x1)
* 7th Level: finger of death (x1)

It makes it a lot clearer that the standard 5e spell-casting system isn't being used.

Cheers!

Between your suggestion and the one that currently is used, I'd prefer the one currently used. The reason is because of the (range 50 ft.) which is after inflict wounds and because the official D&D layout puts the number of uses prior to the text. In your format, fly may end up being skipped over accidentally.

 

[arjomanes]

Thanks for the comments Steve. Knowing how involved you are on this seals the deal for me. I've got nothing but respect for your major design cred. I'm gonna stop dragging my feet and go back this now.