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<blockquote data-quote="Remathilis" data-source="post: 6666337" data-attributes="member: 7635">I've messed around with it, but haven't put any of my creations into play (yet).My guideline for making/modifying a monster. Find something in the MM that is similar to your concept. (Generally, I would find something roughly around the CR you want and the general type (fiend, undead, giant) and size you want. Swap out abilities using the DMG guidelines. Tinker with the numbers (ability scores, HD, and attacks) as you want. When done, compare the new monsters CR to the old one and see if it looks similiar. Keep in mind the following:* Lots of abilities cost &quot;0&quot; for the CR modifier; the biggest glaring example is attack riders like paralysis (ghouls) or disease (rats). DM judgement needs to come into play; a creature with 6 attacks all causing paralysis (with a high save DC) is a TPK, no matter what the CR system says. * Monster CR tends to be high on attack, low on defense (glass cannons). Exceptions exist, but the common monster attacks 2-4 CRs over his CR, and has the AC/Hp of a monster 2-4 levels lower than his CR. * The tables only emphasize the combat pillar; specifically hit/attacks and AC/defense. Other areas are given limited value. * The tables cannot save a DM from himself; as others have said it is possible to make horribly broken monsters &quot;legally&quot; using the table. Its not a point-buy system, its a guestimation system. In essence, they are there to see if said monster will TPK your party instantly if they get into melee with it, it doesn't actually measure said creature's appropriateness against a typical D&amp;D party.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Remathilis, post: 6666337, member: 7635"] I've messed around with it, but haven't put any of my creations into play (yet). My guideline for making/modifying a monster. Find something in the MM that is similar to your concept. (Generally, I would find something roughly around the CR you want and the general type (fiend, undead, giant) and size you want. Swap out abilities using the DMG guidelines. Tinker with the numbers (ability scores, HD, and attacks) as you want. When done, compare the new monsters CR to the old one and see if it looks similiar. Keep in mind the following: * Lots of abilities cost "0" for the CR modifier; the biggest glaring example is attack riders like paralysis (ghouls) or disease (rats). DM judgement needs to come into play; a creature with 6 attacks all causing paralysis (with a high save DC) is a TPK, no matter what the CR system says. * Monster CR tends to be high on attack, low on defense (glass cannons). Exceptions exist, but the common monster attacks 2-4 CRs over his CR, and has the AC/Hp of a monster 2-4 levels lower than his CR. * The tables only emphasize the combat pillar; specifically hit/attacks and AC/defense. Other areas are given limited value. * The tables cannot save a DM from himself; as others have said it is possible to make horribly broken monsters "legally" using the table. Its not a point-buy system, its a guestimation system. In essence, they are there to see if said monster will TPK your party instantly if they get into melee with it, it doesn't actually measure said creature's appropriateness against a typical D&D party. [/QUOTE]

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