MM2 Rant

[rounser]

One aspect of 1e we need to bring back less than the "instant death trap" is the "wandering wilderness instant death trap."

You use catoblepases as wandering monsters? Instakill critters like basilisks, medusae, banshees etc. are more likely to be well documented local legends, and, as you point out, best used as status quo encounters to weave an adventure around...if you put them on a wandering encounter table, you only have yourself (or the module designer) to blame...

Incidentally, did you note the comment from Sean K. Reynolds that the dragon CRs assume that the PCs know they're going to be facing a dragon and are thus buffed and prepared accordingly? The game assumes that dragons aren't going to be wandering encounters, but doesn't tell us such. No wonder those CRs seem a little low.

 

[Xarlen]

I liked the templates. Tauric is interesting, Spellstiched (WHee!), Half golem, mm. Deathnight, WHEE!

Any good rundowns of what's in the Monstranomicon?

 

[Geoff Watson]

I've thought so since 1e. One aspect of 1e we need to bring back less than the "instant death trap" is the "wandering wilderness instant death trap."

You get a save with the 3e version, so it's not quite so bad.

Geoff.

 

[Oracular Vision]

Re: You're looking for something like this?

http://www.enworld.org/cc/downloads/default.asp

A step by step discussion on how to create a monster for D&D3e! Maybe not exactly what you're asking for, but as close as you'll get at the moment, I believe.

Don't forget to take note of the errors mentioned!

Cheers!

Maggan

Also, it does not correctly use the D12 hit dice for undead, although it shows them in the category, it doesn't carry them down. It is an excellent start to making a creature, but you cannot make anything but simple creatures with it, because it has no mechanism for adding HD from special attacks or abilities, which are what make most monsters special. By making your own table of additional HD per special attack, you can make your own creatures. I don't see why this has never been included. I converted more than 200 creatures for Dark Sun, for Athas.org, and I figured out the formula, but it sure wasn't in the article.

Also, all of the 3rd edition dinosaurs have been lamed up. You are better off taking real stats from dinosaurs, using Skip's article, adding the modifiers in, and adding your own special attacks. I made about 40 dinosaurs for my own use this way, and they are much more of a challenge. No way should a 5th level fighter be able to kill a T-rex in a couple of rounds. No way...you'd better not try it against mine...hehehe...

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Re: Re: You're looking for something like this?

I made about 40 dinosaurs for my own use this way, and they are much more of a challenge. No way should a 5th level fighter be able to kill a T-rex in a couple of rounds. No way...you'd better not try it against mine...hehehe...

I - and I'm sure reapersaurus - would love to see them.

 

[kenjib]

Take Myconids. Could really care less about the buggers -- seem too much like something you'd see in one of those muppetized fantasy movies.

I love Myconids. They are kind of like Galeb Duhr. They can be mysterious, ominous, friendly, otherworldly wise, alien, all kinds of things. They are very flexible. I've loved them ever since the 1e module A4.

You use catoblepases as wandering monsters? Instakill critters like basilisks, medusae, banshees etc. are more likely to be well documented local legends, and, as you point out, best used as status quo encounters to weave an adventure around...if you put them on a wandering encounter table, you only have yourself (or the module designer) to blame...

I agree. The catoblepas can be a great beast of legend. I think it would work best if the players know what to expect and head in prepared. Like I said before, singular encounters with lots of legend and buildup are the forte of MMII.

"Majority rehash?" Technically the MM and PHB are rehashes as well.

I totally agree with you. I'm looking forward to the book. I didn't mean to discredit the book so much as to hold it up as an example of why "rehashes" are a good thing that many people want to see.

 

[Grazzt]

I totally agree with you. I'm looking forward to the book. I didn't mean to discredit the book so much as to hold it up as an example of why "rehashes" are a good thing that many people want to see.

No discredit/offense taken or anything. I was just playing around kenjib.

 

[Pazu]

I agree. The catoblepas can be a great beast of legend. I think it would work best if the players know what to expect and head in prepared. Like I said before, singular encounters with lots of legend and buildup are the forte of MMII.

Actually, as I recall, the catoblepas is in fact a true beast of legend (described in mythology that far predated the original 1e MM ). I seem to remember finding an entry for it in some medieval bestiary or somesuch.

Personally, I'm always thrilled to see interesting takes on creatures out of real-world mythology (is that an oxymoron?) I may be in the minority here, but I always thought the 1e versions of the peryton, leucrotta, and su-monster were pretty cool.

-- Pazu

 

[Grazzt]

Actually, as I recall, the catoblepas is in fact a true beast of legend (described in mythology that far predated the original 1e MM ). I seem to remember finding an entry for it in some medieval bestiary or somesuch.

-- Pazu

Yeppers- it is from mythology (like a ton of the D&D monsters), but its D&D configuration is different from what mythology gives us.

 

[Crothian]

Yeppers- it is from mythology (like a ton of the D&D monsters), but its D&D configuration is different from what mythology gives us.

Any chance of you doing a book with monsters that are more true to mythology? I know the subject has been brought up in the past, buy I haven't heard of anyone doing it so I might need to start bugging people about it.