[+] Here's my ideal future 5E supplement

[CapnZapp]

I'm not sure how much mass market appeal there would be. The reason for the popularity of 5e lies solely in it's simplicity. There is Pathfinder for a crunchier, more complex system, but 5e is far more popular.

That's selling 5E short.

5E is also popular because of it solving LFQW (caster martial balance).

And part of the simplicity is behind the DM screen, where you no longer need to create and equip monsters and NPCs.

Pathfinder offers no alternative to those of us that play 5E for those reasons.

 

[CapnZapp]

Personally I don't see the need for an "Advanced Monster Manual" at least not if it just had tougher versions of standard creatures.

Tougher, more capable, with actual tricks up their sleeves.

PCs with feats and items run circles around regular monsters, and it would be very nice with a new, second, official, baseline.

 

[CapnZapp]

cou<snip>

Thank you for reminding me of something I forgot to write in my OP:

That every spellcasting monster summarizes its spells right there in the stat block.

The current MM has atrocious organization overall. It doesn't even indicate which spells use up the monster's concentration for chrisakes!

 

[Coroc]

For me the ideal future 5e Supplement should give some official rules on how to do classic Settings other than FR which have not been covered yet. Namely DS, Eberron, DL. Just a few rules on how to do psionic, Knights of solamnia, a decent artificer, how to create races like thrikreen or halfgiant in 5E and thats it.

That Comes much higher on my priority list than starting splatbooks on how to do Hobbit ninja dual wield pirate spellbuckler gunslingers for FR.

 

[dave2008]

Thank you for reminding me of something I forgot to write in my OP:

That every spellcasting monster summarizes its spells right there in the stat block.

The current MM has atrocious organization overall. It doesn't even indicate which spells use up the monster's concentration for chrisakes!

I agree on concentration, and reaction/bonus action spells would be helpful too, but I am not interested in descriptions for every spell. I would prefer that only certain spells are described.

What I would like to see is innate spellcasting offers spells that add flavor and options to the monster. Pretty much as it is currently (but with concentration, reaction, and bonus action spells identified). However, certain spells: signature spells, expected spells that will be used in combat, etc. (things that are expected to affect the CR) are listed under ACTIONS and given a simplified description.

This way, you can run the monster as is with the stated CR without using the innate spells at all. Then the innate spells give you an extra tactical, flavor, social, etc. ability for "Advanced" DMs to use as needed.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Tougher, more capable, with actual tricks up their sleeves.

PCs with feats and items run circles around regular monsters, and it would be very nice with a new, second, official, baseline.

Monsters can use items, and there is no reason not to give them feats.

Maybe a "Book of Tactics" is what you actually need?

 

[CapnZapp]

Monsters can use items, and there is no reason not to give them feats.

Items can be looted, so I'd rather not if I get a choice.

You're right: there's no reason for the devs to give AMM monsters feats, since feats are an assumed inclusion for the heroes that opposes them

Maybe a "Book of Tactics" is what you actually need?

That would be cool too. Assuming the monsters are first given tools that enable tactics

PS. I would not want to bait you, so just as a friendly unofficial heads-up: this is a plus thread, so please only respond if you basically agree more than you disagree to the overall premise of the thread. Thank you.

 

[CapnZapp]

I agree on concentration, and reaction/bonus action spells would be helpful too, but I am not interested in descriptions for every spell. I would prefer that only certain spells are described.

What I would like to see is innate spellcasting offers spells that add flavor and options to the monster. Pretty much as it is currently (but with concentration, reaction, and bonus action spells identified). However, certain spells: signature spells, expected spells that will be used in combat, etc. (things that are expected to affect the CR) are listed under ACTIONS and given a simplified description.

This way, you can run the monster as is with the stated CR without using the innate spells at all. Then the innate spells give you an extra tactical, flavor, social, etc. ability for "Advanced" DMs to use as needed.

I would be inclined to say I agree... but on second thought - I only want monsters to have spells that deserve a write-up!

In other words, I am not at all yearning for the ridiculous overdose of spells d20 monsters got. If you don't think a write-up is merited, why does the monster even have the spell listed, amirite?

Obviously a monster that is described as a scholarly Wizard might be the exception. But even there it might be easier to just say "Fireball, Fly, ... and six more random 3rd level spells" and then focus on how the monster uses Fireball and Fly.

But I would totally be okay with monsters getting only three or five spells (or "spell like abilities" as they were called), and then getting the full details on those. Each such spell would deserve to be included because it is useful to the monster. (Which does not necessarily mean all monsters lob Fireball. It's quite okay with monsters using weak:ish spells, as long as that's mirrored in their CR. No more "all level 3 spells are equal" BS, thankyouverymuch )

 

[CapnZapp]

Sooo, the ideal "future" product for 5e is to make it/turn it back into 3.5/PF?

No.

 

[CapnZapp]

Sounds like a solid idea for a 3rd Party Product.

Work on a design, get some writers, find some artists, and go to Kickstarter! Get that baby made.

I can only speak for myself, but personally I am only interested in official 1st party supplements, and I am talking exclusively about my ideal future 5th edition products from Wizards of the Coast.

At least half the appeal of an APHB and an AMM is to read reviews, opinions and analysis about them here on these forums from people like you or me - writing guides, offering builds, and discussing Orcish Grandmothers . No 3PP comes even close to that kind of market penetration!