monster AB - how/where?

[Grazzt]

Sorry, still a bit lost here. I understand now about the +6 AB (roll the D20 & add 6...) but where does the STR bonus come in? Do you add it to the D20 roll too?

Str bonus is already added into the Attack bonus listed for all monsters. All you have to do is roll 1d20 and add whatever numbers you see in the "Attacks" line for the monster.

The HD# as well? (this would make it AB 14-1 because of the size...).

No- Str is never added to (or subtracted from) HD.

I don't understand where you get the +4 when it says the melee attack is +6... [/B]

The +4 from that post is in error. The Ankheg has a total attack bonus of +6. Roll 1d20 and add +6 to the roll. All modifiers for Str, size, etc are already factored into the +6.

If you want to find its base attack bonus simply take its HD and multiply by 3/4 (see page 13 in the MM for the reason). Doing the calculation results in a base attack bonus of +2 though I am not sure why you would need this. Remember, the "Attacks" line lists the monster's FINAL attack bonus that is added to all attack rolls. You do not need to add anything to/subtract anything from this number (excepting circumstance bonuses, etc.)

 

[Grazzt]

Re: sorry

I thought I had it but,...
i still can't get it down, it seems like the HD level doesn't apply in combat. It seems stupid to have to deal with all these numbers just to figure out what a random encountered monster can do.

I guess I'm just confused on how the HD is involved with the attack ability.

HD determines base attack bonus just like it does for all characters and NPCs. Just think of the monster's HD as levels. Some monsters advance their attack bonus like fighters. Others like clerics. Check page 13 in the MM to see which ones advance which way.

How to just open the MM & start using a monster without generating paperwork first. It looks to me like monster's with the same attacking value (melee +#) is the same as any other, HD is just there to detemine how many HP's it has before it dies. A small monster with a +4 atk melee value is just the same as a larger one with the same atk value - no difference in challenge...!

All you need to concern yourself with is the "Attacks" line. Like I have said, simply take that number and add it to 1d20 when the monster is attacking. Easy enough. No paperwork.

And just because a Small monster has an attack bonus of +4 and a Large monster might have the same attack bonus, does not mean they are an equal challenge. You have to look and see what Special Abilities and Special Qualities each monster has.

 

[Sixten]

(2)+(4)+(-1)= +6?What? Thats 5. A 13 year old knows that. I should know.

All right, all right. I goofed. The Str bonus should be +5. The final answer was right, and if you read the earlier post I made, it's correct there.

Sorry for any confusion.

 

[castlewalls]

thanks

Thanks, I believe I understand now....
It's that I'm the GM & my group (myself & 3 others) have "just" started using the D20 system. We normally use 1ed & last night was our 3rd "attempt" to play (January being the 2nd time & last August being the 1st time due to wierd circumstances on everyones part - we're not in a hurry) even tho' no actual gaming happened (too much talk & another player forgot his CS so he had to re-fill one out & discussing rules, etc. We'll try again in August, maybe I'll get it down by then. So, being the only one with the new books, I'm trying to assimilate the info as needed.
-Jim