Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="travathian" data-source="post: 6385782" data-attributes="member: 12105">I don't see why a MM listing can't have both flavor text and a list of optional variants as examples. Complete stat blocks are not needed.For the kobold, there was no reason to have another stat block for the urd. Move the kobold stat block to the left column, and that frees up the right column for a bullet list of possible variants. For those worried about 'cutting things out' of the book, I think there are certain monsters that most definitely warrant some space for optional variants. Especially humanoid monsters that likely comprise significant portions of the intelligent races (golbins, orcs, kobolds). Just having a bullet saying "Witchdoctor: Magic Intitiate feat, +2 to casting stat" should be enough to get a DMs creative juices going and they can fill in the rest.Lastly, one thing I think the MM definitely needs is an opening chapter discussing monster tactics (playing them based on their INT and combat training), using quick and easy variants of monsters to spice things up, and how to avoid some of the pitfalls mentioned in this thread with regards to shoehorning a monster into a role.</blockquote>