D&D 5E I miss easily scaleable modifiable monsters!

[zoroaster100]

I miss having a big variety of different CRs for each monster, with not only different hp and AC but different variant abilities. I know I can create monsters myself but I need a greater variety. I have a player that has already memorized the stats for everything in the Monster Manual. I know I can reskin monsters but I can't wait for a Monster Manual 2, 3, 4 etc. so I can mix and match and replace monsters in adventures, use orc paladins, goblin wizards, legendary hydras, elite medusas, etc. right out of a book with no prep time. Even better I'd love a DM's Tool software where I can easily grab a monster from the Monster Manual and at the click of a button get a higher or lower CR version of it, or add a template to it and see its new CR.

 

[ninjayeti]

Honestly, I like the fast and loose approach of 5E. Want a goblin wizard? Use the goblin boss profile and add a couple of levels of spellcasting ability. Or use the mage NPC and make it size small with 25' movement. Orc paladin could be the Eye of Gruumsh with plate mail and paladin spells swapped in for the cleric ones or the knight NPC with the aggressive trait and darkvision. Personally I find that once you have a feel for how 5E plays modifying a creature ad hoc takes less time than adding a formal template does (granted I have not used software gaming tools, but considering there is nothing for 5E yet that is a bit of a moot point).

Sure more monsters would be better than fewer and an NPC codex like Pathfinder has would be a nice resource but I prefer adjusting creatures according to my sense of what is needed for an encounter rather than the dictates of some preset template.

 

[Ravenheart87]

The DMG has already guidelines for this. Tinkering with monster abilities is actually far easier, than creating one from scratch: remove or add whatever you want, then check the tables on 280-282 about how that changes CR.

 

[koga305]

The DMG has already guidelines for this. Tinkering with monster abilities is actually far easier, than creating one from scratch: remove or add whatever you want, then check the tables on 280-282 about how that changes CR.

Absolutely, these work fine with a bit of reading between the lines. If anyone is interested, I wrote a few articles on my blog that cover the subject - one on bumping the Hill Giant's CR and one on creating several 4E-style kobold varieties with special abilities.

 

[Celebrim]

I love how systems for generating consistent monsters inspire creativity and imagination, but honestly, regardless of edition, a monster in combat is basically: an AC, some hit points, a 'thac0' or attack bonus, some damage and a special ability or two. When you need a monster quick, it's an easy matter to just wing a monster and if you are off by a little bit, so what. Monster creation is flexible enough that you could end up with any result you wanted anyway way, so just go with what feels right.

It's worth using the system when you have the time, because typically the greater mastery you have over the system the easier you can wing it, but strict adherence to the system is not the prerequisite for a fun encounter.

 

[jodyjohnson]

The only reason I want new Monster Manuals is because I have an insatiable craving for new monster color art.

The rest is just numbers. No reason to change the abilities much for conversion unless I'd want to change them in the original anyway.

 

[Eric V]

I miss having a big variety of different CRs for each monster, with not only different hp and AC but different variant abilities. I know I can create monsters myself but I need a greater variety. I have a player that has already memorized the stats for everything in the Monster Manual. I know I can reskin monsters but I can't wait for a Monster Manual 2, 3, 4 etc. so I can mix and match and replace monsters in adventures, use orc paladins, goblin wizards, legendary hydras, elite medusas, etc. right out of a book with no prep time. Even better I'd love a DM's Tool software where I can easily grab a monster from the Monster Manual and at the click of a button get a higher or lower CR version of it, or add a template to it and see its new CR.

I hear you. It was great feature previously, especially when there were online tools to quicken the adjustments.

I wonder if we'll get a MM2.

 

[Bupp]

I love how systems for generating consistent monsters inspire creativity and imagination, but honestly, regardless of edition, a monster in combat is basically: an AC, some hit points, a 'thac0' or attack bonus, some damage and a special ability or two. When you need a monster quick, it's an easy matter to just wing a monster and if you are off by a little bit, so what. Monster creation is flexible enough that you could end up with any result you wanted anyway way, so just go with what feels right.

It's worth using the system when you have the time, because typically the greater mastery you have over the system the easier you can wing it, but strict adherence to the system is not the prerequisite for a fun encounter.

I've found it pretty easy to wing it with conversions for Age of Worms into 5e. After the game I write up what I ran. I feel that helps me learn the builds better and makes it even easier to wing it.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

For upgrading monsters I usually just throw some HD on it, add some bonus to the attack and damage, and AC. Probably isn't mechanically perfect but it works fine.

 

[Dausuul]

I prefer not having a huge CR range for every monster. I do want some variation, of course. For a typical humanoid monster, I like to have four versions on hand: A grunt, an elite warrior, a caster or other "specialist," and a boss or chief. But the CRs ought to stay within a limited range. The boss might be 4-5 CR above the grunt, but not 10-12. A party that's fought orcs before should be able to look at a group of orcs and estimate, with tolerable accuracy, the danger in taking them on.

I am much more interested in having monsters with different abilities, instead of just bigger or lower numbers.