MM2 - changing the hit points?

[Jack99]

So, I took a look at some of the stuff that has been released. In the Court of Stars article, the Prince of Frost (a solo) seemed to have only 4, instead of 5 times his base hit points, which led some to speculate that there are some changes coming when it comes to monster solo (and perhaps elite) hit points.

The Bebilith (level 18 solo brute) has 696 hit points instead of 1060.
The Ankheg (level 3 elite lurker) has 100 hit points instead of 84
The Ettin Spirittalker (level 12 elite controller) fits the original math
The Hive Queen (level 5 elite controller) fits the original math
The Heroslayer Hydra (level 20 solo brute) has 776 hit points instead of 1180
The Frost Giant and Stone giant fit the original math.
The Remorhaz (level 21 elite brute fits the original math)

Now, I am going to assume that the Ankheg is a typo, but what I found interesting was that both the bebilith and the heroslayer hydra have 3,28 (rounded off) times their base hit points, instead of 5x. Seems like a pretty arbritrary number to come up with, so why? What on earth does this mean?

On the other hand, it looks like the elite hit points are unchanged.

Cheers

I have no idea, but thought I would put it out there.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I see a possibility that DMG2 might contain new monster statistics by level with a new damage scale to use it with. Maybe then a system will appear behind it.

Alternatively, it might just be more "guesstimation" (or play-testing) then anything else?

 

[Jack99]

Alternatively, it might just be more "guesstimation" (or play-testing) then anything else?

I am pretty sure the MM2 has been printed already, so it would be a little late for playtesting these things.

 

[fanboy2000]

Alternatively, it might just be more "guesstimation" (or play-testing) then anything else?

I have no problem believing that WotC pulls monster HP out thin air.

 

[Kinneus]

The Ettin Spirittalker (level 12 elite controller) fits the original math

Hmm? The Ettin Spirittalker is from MM1. Were you just using it as a baseline for comparison? Or are they going to reprint MM1 monsters in MM2?

 

[Stalker0]

I have no problem believing that WotC pulls monster HP out of thin air.

This was my actual hope when 4e first came out!

WOTC made a big point to say that monster's didn't have to be slaves to the formula. Problem in 3e was every monster had X HD which led to Y BAB, and Z defenses, etc. With 4e we are no longer bound by that, but they still created leveling formulas that monsters seem rigidly geared to.

Perhaps with MM2 we will see less of that. Its okay to have a formula as a baseline, but doesn't mean you can't adjust here and there.

 

[Jack99]

Hmm? The Ettin Spirittalker is from MM1. Were you just using it as a baseline for comparison? Or are they going to reprint MM1 monsters in MM2?

Sorry, it was an example from the article, where they applied a template from MM2. Including it was probably not the best idea

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I am pretty sure the MM2 has been printed already, so it would be a little late for playtesting these things.

I assume that the values in the MM2 are a result of playtesting. Unless they are the result of a new formula/design guideline that might also appear in DMG 2.

 

[PoeticJustice]

I'm torn. On the one hand, Monsters do have far too many hit points in 4th, and adjusting them is a nice move by wizards.

On the other, I like the method I currently use (Half HP, double damage) to speed up combat and don't like messing with it.

 

[Jack99]

I assume that the values in the MM2 are a result of playtesting. Unless they are the result of a new formula/design guideline that might also appear in DMG 2.

Ah, I misunderstood your weird german way of expressing yourself the first time around

Yes, it is indeed possible that they due to playtesting (and the numerous threads bitching about this alledged grind) have changed the way they calculate hit points for solos. My point with the original post was that I couldn't figure out if the 3,28 was a coincidence or something else that I just couldn't see.