How do you introduce a monster?

[AaronOfBarbaria]

I describe the absolute basics of what it looks like (i.e. "a tower of muscled flesh with a snarl of jagged teeth" for a grey render, or "an immense black winged lizard with acrid fumes for breath" for a black dragon), and get on to what it is actually doing.

Unless I've got a piece of art to show the players, the image their imagination creates is only going to be hindered by me trying to relay all the fine details, so I don't waste time doing that.

 

[the Jester]

One thing I like to do is use real world comparisons concerning size. Telling the pcs that the monster is 15' tall isn't as visceral as tellling them, "The creature is as tall as that tree and otherwise about as big as that van parked outside."

 

[iserith]

One thing I like to do is use real world comparisons concerning size. Telling the pcs that the monster is 15' tall isn't as visceral as tellling them, "The creature is as tall as that tree and otherwise about as big as that van parked outside."

DM: And about half as scary as the guy who lives in that van.
Players: Whoa... we look for a way to retreat.

 

[WhimsyTheFae]

I think I prefer to start with the picture, then read/paraphrase the description if one is available.

I have played, and had fun with, the Guess That Monster Metagame Within The Game (and I still do at times), but poor descriptions bother me and the Let's Fool The Veteran Players Metagame Within The Game can get annoying.

As a player, I don't mind if you just say what the monster is and trust I won't metagame. Heck, if your description is even close to accurate, I already know what the monster is, so am demonstrating my ability to not metagame.

I know, though, that this breaks immersion for some, so take this for what it's worth.

 

[Edwin Suijkerbuijk]

I'm finding I'm doing a bad job of introducing my PCs to new monsters. I don't feel like they get a good picture of what they're facing. Any tips for introducing an encounter in a interesting and descriptive manner?

A technique i have seen work well is the like X but Y.
Though in most situations where I saw it it was used for introducing NPC's and not mosters.
For this technique you do nwwd to know what kind of media your players consume.

A example might be ne looks a lot like john snow from the tv series game of thrones, but blonde and wearing full plate armor.

 

[Sacrosanct]

I usually introduce them from the ceiling or other dark place, their first descriptor being "A sharp stabbing pain pierces your shoulders before you are suddenly yanked upward into the hairy embrace of some giant beast."

 

[Skyscraper]

I'd try something brief (...) For example (...)

Glad you didn't opt for the long version ;-P

 

[Skyscraper]

I describe the absolute basics of what it looks like (i.e. "a tower of muscled flesh with a snarl of jagged teeth" for a grey render, or "an immense black winged lizard with acrid fumes for breath" for a black dragon), and get on to what it is actually doing.

Unless I've got a piece of art to show the players, the image their imagination creates is only going to be hindered by me trying to relay all the fine details, so I don't waste time doing that.

This. Precisely. Less then 10 words are usually enough to get all the required info needed to allow your players to conjure an image in their mind that will allow you all to play the game. No need to spoon-feed your players with details about how you imagine the monster. They are sitting at your table because they are role-players, and as such they can do that by themselves. As Pink Floyd would say, "just the basic facts, [then] you show me where it hurts"

Lengthy descriptions bore the hell out of 99% of players, however good the DM (thinks he) is. The DM is the only one who will enjoy hearing himself talk.

 

[WhimsyTheFae]

Not necessarily true. Sometimes the DM doesn't even enjoy hearing the DM talk.

 

[Skyscraper]

A technique i have seen work well is the like X but Y.
Though in most situations where I saw it it was used for introducing NPC's and not mosters.
For this technique you do nwwd to know what kind of media your players consume.

A example might be ne looks a lot like john snow from the tv series game of thrones, but blonde and wearing full plate armor.

DM: looks a lot like john snow from the tv series game of thrones, but blonde and wearing full plate armor.
Player: okay, we move along, he's already dead.