Kobold chance to hit (javelin +5 vs AC)

[JMnITup]

First... is there a search feature for this forum I can't find?

Ok, I'm trying to figure out how the Monster manual (or even the shadow keep entry) for kobolds determines some of its information.

Take Kobold Minion for example.. I notice there are differences between the sample adventure (keep of the shadowfell) and the monster manual.. monster manual says javelin +5 vs ac for ranged and melee, the adventure say spear +4 for melee, javelin +4 for ranged.

I assume the differences are just due to early release and changes, or possible due to uniqueness related to the adventure or to make it slightly easier... I'm curious, but this isn't my main question

the MAIN question:

How does the MM come out to +5?

I see why ranged and melee is the same with javelin, since it has the 'heavy thrown' attribute... however, how does it get to be +5?

As far as I can figure: +0 for level (lvl 1 / 2 rounded down), -1 for strength, which comes to -1 vs AC . Now, assuming that they are proficient with javelins, which it technically doesn't say, but also doesn't mention proficiencies at all, that would add +2, bringing it up to +1 vs AC total.

Where does the remaining +4 come from to make it +5 vs AC total? Is that described anywhere, is it an error, or just all entries just give you final versions, with maybe lots of un-mentioned modifiers to level out the monsters difficulty?

Also, if proficiencies aren't mentioned, how do you handle when a kobold steals your short sword and starts swinging it wildly? Do you assume creatures are only proficient with their listed default weapon?

 

[JMnITup]

Oh, one other thing occurred to me... I realized that they just do 4 damage... where does THAT come from? no random damage, just a flat value.. because of that, I'm assuming the +5 is the same way, just a way to balance them... I really would like to know HOW those numbers come up, though, and how this affects alternate weapons... and I'm assuming those are ending totals, already factoring the -1 for str, etc, in ? what damage would a short sword do, for example, in the hands of a kobold minion...

 

[Staffan]

Unlike 3e, monsters aren't built from the ground up in 4e. They have the values they have, and that's that. Basically, an attack vs AC is supposed to have an attack bonus of roughly level+5 (a bit lower for brutes, a bit higher for soldiers and artillery).

As for damage, that follows a similar philosophy - a level X monster should do about Y damage. In the particular case of minions, they always do a static amount, in order to make them easier to run (essentially, the random component is "how many minions hit", not "how much damage does that particular minion do").

 

[Grazzt]

Unlike 3e, monsters aren't built from the ground up in 4e. They have the values they have, and that's that. Basically, an attack vs AC is supposed to have an attack bonus of roughly level+5 (a bit lower for brutes, a bit higher for soldiers and artillery).

As for damage, that follows a similar philosophy - a level X monster should do about Y damage. In the particular case of minions, they always do a static amount, in order to make them easier to run (essentially, the random component is "how many minions hit", not "how much damage does that particular minion do").

Staf- is correct. The DMG lays it all out in the DM's Toolbox chapter. Monsters do not follow the same rules as PCs.

 

[the Jester]

the MAIN question:

How does the MM come out to +5?

Arbitrarily. You're thinking too hard about it.

 

[Samurai]

I think they got tired of having to proofread all those monster entries, and having a certain reviewer point out all their embarrassing math errors, so they said "We'll show 'em! No more precise math! If we want to give them a +5 to hit when it should only be +1 for their level and attributes, they'll have it! If we want them to have AC 22, it doesn't matter if their size, dex bonus, and armor worn don't add up to that amount! If we want them to wield a dagger and do 5d6 damage with it, they will! Bwahahaha!"

 

[Exquisite Dead Guy]

First... is there a search feature for this forum I can't find?

You have to be a paid supporter to use the search function. However, you can use Google to search a site by typing site:[website address] followed by your search parameters in the search box. Example - site:enworld.org kobold javelin

 

[cdrcjsn]

I think they got tired of having to proofread all those monster entries, and having a certain reviewer point out all their embarrassing math errors, so they said "We'll show 'em! No more precise math! If we want to give them a +5 to hit when it should only be +1 for their level and attributes, they'll have it! If we want them to have AC 22, it doesn't matter if their size, dex bonus, and armor worn don't add up to that amount! If we want them to wield a dagger and do 5d6 damage with it, they will! Bwahahaha!"

"They" in this case also means all DMs everywhere.

Most players don't realize the amount of boring homework that DMs have to go through in 3e/3.5e.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

"They" in this case also means all DMs everywhere.

Most players don't realize the amount of boring homework that DMs have to go through in 3e/3.5e.

Exactly.

If you want to make a monster with an AC of X it doesn't matter how it got exactly to that point. Worrying about that could be very frustrating in 3e.