MMIV Mini-Review

[Nightchilde-2]

The Elysium has posted a mini-review of Monster Manual IV.

Check it out.

 

[MerricB]

It reads like a condensed summary of our debates on the matter.

 

[Dragonbait]

I never checked out any of the threads about the new stat blocks, but the missing Hid Die type in the new stat blocks that I saw disturbed me. It's so important and yet such an oversight.

 

[Sammael]

It's really not that important. If anything, it's more important for NPC statblocks than monster statblocks, since all monsters of the same type have the same HD type as well.

 

[Vraille Darkfang]

It's really not that important. If anything, it's more important for NPC statblocks than monster statblocks, since all monsters of the same type have the same HD type as well.

I can't stand it, even though it doesn't affect me in the least.

1. I pretty much have memorized HD by type (I have an Excel Spreadsheet that lets me Advance Creatures by X amount of HD), so it (on the surface) doesn't affect me.

2. My wife, who games, but has never run, is looking to begin runnning. The MMIV seems to be a good resource for her. After all, they advertis ethe new Stat Block (as everything you need to run, in the order you need to run it). I admit the layout is nice.

3. "Why the Bleep does this creature have 9 HD and 50 hp and this one 9 HD and 136 hp?!?!!" The lack of an explanation as to how X HD can have over a 100 hp swing will confuse any new DM just looking to find out WHY. WHY is the monster CR X, WHY does this monster get killed by my party and this one kill everyone.

The MMIV tries so hard to make it simple to run an combat, it makes it hard to understand how to PLAN an encounter. This format is not (at present) conductive to any DM trying to understand HOW things work as to just taking everything as it is.

4. This will mean more editing errors. At least an editor has a chance to see that 9d10+35 (80 hp) is wrong. With 9HD (80 hp) he'd have to reference 3-4 different spots in the Stat Block & have several tables memorized. Considering Wizards Track record with editing, making their job even harder doesn't boost my confidence.


I think this new stat block is a potential step in the right direction. IT makes it easier to run "Straight out of the Box", I think they are just putting to many limitations on those who want to actually Create as opposed to simply Do.

 

[Vocenoctum]

The MMIV tries so hard to make it simple to run an combat, it makes it hard to understand how to PLAN an encounter. This format is not (at present) conductive to any DM trying to understand HOW things work as to just taking everything as it is.

It's silly that they don't provide it, it's a couple more characters, it'll probably get added back in later as they incorporate feedback.

That said, the glossary has HD types, and you're assumed to already have access to the 3 Core books.