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Message: <blockquote data-quote="dave2008" data-source="post: 9558860" data-attributes="member: 83242">I remember that thread, but I don't remember the specifics. I was already doing some of the things you suggest (like CR at the top). I will have to go back and take a look and see if there is anything I want to use. Thank you for sharing!They posted the whole stat block on beyond. You can see it here: <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1890-preview-the-new-stat-block-design-in-the-2024" target="_blank">Preview the New Stat Block Design</a>Here is how the are handling shapechange:At Will: Detect Magic, Guiding Bolt (level 4 version), Shapechange (Beast or Humanoid form only, no Tmeporary Hit Points gained from the spell, and no Concentration or Temporary Hit Points required to maintain the spell)I guess I don't understand how this discussion of paradigm shifts relates to analysis paralysis.  They seem to be separate issues to me.  I generally like a somewhat standardized format, but I am not against the change to green slime. However, maintaining a consistent format doesn't mean you can't include useful information (carrying capacity, over land travel, etc.). I think what I would like more people to embrace is the idea that monster is not just a stat block. For me, the monster entry and stat block work together (ideally). I will say the 2024 MM seems to be using more that way (like A5e and others have too).It always bothered me in 4e when people would say a monster couldn't do something because it wasn't in the stat block. The stat block is just a snapshot of what a monster can do - not everything thing it can do!Love the Brotherhood of the Wolf and Jessica Jones references! I guess I don't see these as mutually exclusive. I don't have an issue with running either of your example scenarios with D&D style monster stat blocks. I am able to and have run monsters without a stat block. I just us the improv tools from the DMG. In fact I do it quit a lot.However, that is not how I like to design a monster. As I mentioned before I don't like to / am somewhat uncomfortable designing monsters for a game. I like that a stat block / monster entry is a tool to express a creature in a fictional world. I enjoy that, probably more than anything else in D&D, and it is more important than making it easy to DM. I can DM / run a monster anyway I want regardless of the stat block. However, I want the stat block to tell a story of the world. For me, monster design exists beyond its use at the table. I am not saying that is good, or what an RPG company should do. I am just saying that is what I like to do, what I want when I design a monster.Really just trying to explain that while a understand your broad approach to the function of monsters / monster stat blocks, it is not something I am ever likely to embrace. Some giant monsters are probably easier to run as  a "dungeon," but that is just not a monster design that interests me.</blockquote>

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