Monster Books vs. Do-It-Yourself Monsters?
- Thread starter Knight Otu
- Start date
I myself have something of a facination with horns, claws, and row after row of big, pointy teeth. As a result, I generally find things I like in monster books. Besides, you never know when monster X that originally didn't make a big impression will fit the bill quite nicely.
The major drawback in using monster books, the MM in particular, is that the players read them too. I have learned that if I really want to challenge the players I have to start from scratch.
Case in point, just last night the players found my homegrown, carniverous treants more challanging (and more entertaining) than the Nightwalker that was almost twice as powerful.
Besides, I find that monster books will rarely lead a DM to that ever elusive creature I affectionately call the Partyslayer.
The major drawback in using monster books, the MM in particular, is that the players read them too. I have learned that if I really want to challenge the players I have to start from scratch.
Case in point, just last night the players found my homegrown, carniverous treants more challanging (and more entertaining) than the Nightwalker that was almost twice as powerful.
Besides, I find that monster books will rarely lead a DM to that ever elusive creature I affectionately call the Partyslayer.
Last edited:
rijeagle
First Post
I also use the monster books, but I also create some, and adjust existing ones. If anyone is interested, there is an excellent book(PLUG PLUG) published by Fantasy Flight Games, part of their Legends and Lairs Series, called Monster's Handbook.
It is an awesome supplement to the DM who has players who own/read all the monster books. It lays out guidelines and options to upgrade, change, redesign and totally screw up those monster encyclopedia players. The players can buy the book too, and it would do them no good, as it is the DM's imagination that guides the books possibilities, not laid out monsters. Ogres will never be the same again!!!!
It allows you to add abilities(magical or otherwise, movement, Spell-like abilities, defenses, special attacks, and special qualities, with a unique point system that adjusts the CR as you adjust the monster. You make the changes, add up the points , look up the chart, and presto new monster, new CR, and all balanced to the D&D system. I've used it several times already, and it works fantastic, and the best part, the players, who thought they knew the monster attacking them, were thrown for an awful loop. HAHA let the games begin!
er...sorry, got excited there...
*wipe drool from chin*
It is an awesome supplement to the DM who has players who own/read all the monster books. It lays out guidelines and options to upgrade, change, redesign and totally screw up those monster encyclopedia players. The players can buy the book too, and it would do them no good, as it is the DM's imagination that guides the books possibilities, not laid out monsters. Ogres will never be the same again!!!!
It allows you to add abilities(magical or otherwise, movement, Spell-like abilities, defenses, special attacks, and special qualities, with a unique point system that adjusts the CR as you adjust the monster. You make the changes, add up the points , look up the chart, and presto new monster, new CR, and all balanced to the D&D system. I've used it several times already, and it works fantastic, and the best part, the players, who thought they knew the monster attacking them, were thrown for an awful loop. HAHA let the games begin!
er...sorry, got excited there...
*wipe drool from chin*
Ankh-Morpork Guard said:I usually end up focussing on NPCs and everything except monsters...and most of the enemies in my games are NPCs, so the few times I use monsters I just grab them from a book. Nice selection from strange to cool, and less time for me.
What he said. With the addition, that I usually modify the monsters taken from the books to better suit the party's capability.
Darrin Drader
Explorer
I love monster books, and I love to create monsters. One of the very cool things about being a designer is that I can create monsters, submit them for publication, and then check them out with art when they get printed.
To date, I've bought the following monster books: all WotC monster books, Monsters of Norrath (Everquest), Monsternomicon, Tome of Horrors, Creature Collection I & II, Draconic Lore, Liber Bestarius, Minions: Fearsom Foes, Legions of Hell, Armies of the Abyss, and Green Ronin's Oriental book (I forget the name). Have I used something from every book I own? Well, no, but I'm always happy to look at them when fleshing out an adventure. I also tend to look forward to the monster books more than many other products.
Speaking of which, Bastion Press will soon be releasing Into the Green, which will be an excellent monster book, and I contributed a couple monsters to it.
To date, I've bought the following monster books: all WotC monster books, Monsters of Norrath (Everquest), Monsternomicon, Tome of Horrors, Creature Collection I & II, Draconic Lore, Liber Bestarius, Minions: Fearsom Foes, Legions of Hell, Armies of the Abyss, and Green Ronin's Oriental book (I forget the name). Have I used something from every book I own? Well, no, but I'm always happy to look at them when fleshing out an adventure. I also tend to look forward to the monster books more than many other products.
Speaking of which, Bastion Press will soon be releasing Into the Green, which will be an excellent monster book, and I contributed a couple monsters to it.
Knight Otu
First Post
An interesting thread so far, but I would like to hear more from those who do not like monster books. 
Ralts Bloodthorne
First Post
I don't really like monster books for several reasons:
1. They don't fit in my campaign setting.
2. The players can read them too.
3. For the most part, after the MM, the monster books I've bought have not really had anything I needed. (I've bought Creature Collection I & II, Ravenloft Monsters & MM II-They sit in the file cabinet, gathering dust)
4. I've got tons of monsters that are intregal parts of the campaign setting, and trying to put in other people's monsters just don't work.
So, I don't really like monster books, I've just been converting my old ones over, or creating new ones.
It's cheaper and easier, and I'm more familiar with them.
1. They don't fit in my campaign setting.
2. The players can read them too.
3. For the most part, after the MM, the monster books I've bought have not really had anything I needed. (I've bought Creature Collection I & II, Ravenloft Monsters & MM II-They sit in the file cabinet, gathering dust)
4. I've got tons of monsters that are intregal parts of the campaign setting, and trying to put in other people's monsters just don't work.
So, I don't really like monster books, I've just been converting my old ones over, or creating new ones.
It's cheaper and easier, and I'm more familiar with them.
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