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<blockquote data-quote="FireLance" data-source="post: 5188745" data-attributes="member: 3424">Sure, I could add extra levels, feats and classes to a 1st-level orc warrior in 3E, but I could also add extra powers and abilities to a 4E orc if I wanted to. In particular, by applying a class template, I could add a minimum of three powers, and more at higher levels. The difference between editions (at least, with respect to the number of combat options) is probably more stark in the &quot;normal&quot; monsters - NPC classed humanoids and animals. I partly agree with this. IMO, the differences between monsters are not minute - a kobold slinger, kobold dragonshield and kobold skirmisher have quite distinct abilities and are run and fought very differently (from the perspective of the DM and the player respectively).However, I would have preferred a more &quot;building block&quot; approach to monsters, or more tools to customize monsters, beyond templates, monster themes and &quot;just substitute whatever ability you think is appropriate&quot;. The list of alternate powers for dragons in Draconomicon I and II is a start, but I think it would be a mammoth task to come up with substitutions for each individual monster entry. One possibility may be a list of alternate abilities by monster role (brute, artillery, lurker, soldier, etc.).</blockquote>

[QUOTE="FireLance, post: 5188745, member: 3424"] Sure, I could add extra levels, feats and classes to a 1st-level orc warrior in 3E, but I could also add extra powers and abilities to a 4E orc if I wanted to. In particular, by applying a class template, I could add a minimum of three powers, and more at higher levels. The difference between editions (at least, with respect to the number of combat options) is probably more stark in the "normal" monsters - NPC classed humanoids and animals. I partly agree with this. IMO, the differences between monsters are not minute - a kobold slinger, kobold dragonshield and kobold skirmisher have quite distinct abilities and are run and fought very differently (from the perspective of the DM and the player respectively). However, I would have preferred a more "building block" approach to monsters, or more tools to customize monsters, beyond templates, monster themes and "just substitute whatever ability you think is appropriate". The list of alternate powers for dragons in Draconomicon I and II is a start, but I think it would be a mammoth task to come up with substitutions for each individual monster entry. One possibility may be a list of alternate abilities by monster role (brute, artillery, lurker, soldier, etc.). [/QUOTE]

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