Is Discovering the Abilities of New Monsters Part of the “FUN?”

[CharlesRyan]

Charles, you disagreed with his example, but I can completely see an argument aroudn the table starting with:

"What??? Dude, I could totally see if something had claws long enough to attack from five feet away!"

I agree that, as a general rule, a monster's abilities should jibe with its description/concept. In this case, DM's description of the boneclaw should probably say something about unusually long arms or lightning reflexes or something that hints at the possibility of tactics such as threatening reach. When the boneclaw uses its threatening reach, the ideal player reaction is "It can do that? Well, it fits."

But there's a fine line between that and outright telling the player what the creature can do. And face it, telling the player "This creature's claws are in constant motion, and it seems very aware of you. Your instinct tells you you're not safe from those claws, even at this distance." is exactly the same as telling the player what the creature can do, only in more pleasing language.

And I believe that robs the encounter of some of its dramatic tension, making the game less fun for me as a player (or a DM, for that matter).