Monster Creation Program

[Daemon]

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering if there was enough interest in seeing a program that would aid in creating new monsters. The main idea of the program would be to set up the entire monster, by starting to choose a type (undead, elemental, etc...), and not having to worry about the technical stuff (ie: undead are con 0, and all the other abilities) applied automatically.

The other thing that would be included would be someone to technically count the CR base off a complex formula, covering everything (hit dice, stat scores, skills, feats, special abilities, etc...) so that you can get a nice recommended CR rating for the creatures.

Lastly, a possibly neat item would be the random creature generation, where you would suggest a CR range (or single CR value) and the program would come up with a creature with random stuff that matches that CR based on the above formula....

So what does everyone think? Good idea? Infeasible? Not Worth it? I want any opinions you have! (well, preferrably ones related to this topic...)

Daemon

 

[Leopold]

hwo bout an encounter generator? It would go like hotcakes!!

 

[Fast Learner]

I'm working on an encouter generator, though I'm not certain it's what you mean. Mine has locations (including maps), situations, creatures, etc. You set the EL you're looking for, and specify other things, and it spits out an encounter.

On monster generation: Yeah, I think it would be great! eTools takes care of some of it but not all of it, and no CR estimation or randomizing.

 

[Leopold]

I'm working on an encouter generator, though I'm not certain it's what you mean. Mine has locations (including maps), situations, creatures, etc. You set the EL you're looking for, and specify other things, and it spits out an encounter.

web or app based??

 

[CRGreathouse]

I was wondering if there was enough interest in seeing a program that would aid in creating new monsters. The main idea of the program would be to set up the entire monster, by starting to choose a type (undead, elemental, etc...), and not having to worry about the technical stuff (ie: undead are con 0, and all the other abilities) applied automatically.

The other thing that would be included would be someone to technically count the CR base off a complex formula, covering everything (hit dice, stat scores, skills, feats, special abilities, etc...) so that you can get a nice recommended CR rating for the creatures.

Lastly, a possibly neat item would be the random creature generation, where you would suggest a CR range (or single CR value) and the program would come up with a creature with random stuff that matches that CR based on the above formula....

Monster generation? Complex CR estimation formula? Random creature generation?

I have all of that in my race generator, http://mwtools.thyle.net/race_gen.html .

There's another program that's somewhat similar, but I forgot its URL. Its features:
* Simpler to use than mine - linear structure, intuitive setup
* No CR estimation
* No random generation
* Stores the final result on the server

 

[Twin Rose]

hwo bout an encounter generator? It would go like hotcakes!!

Hmmm, well, Campaign Suite has encounter generators.

As well as an instant table generator for encounter tables, where you are able to include climate, terrain, a range of CRs and preferred EL and the table will be created for you.

You can then use these tables to create adventure locales and dungeons.

The monster editor includes the necassary treasure and other factors, which can then be used to generate treasure and much more.

There are creature expansions available from Mystic Eye Games as well, and a new Template expansion coming very soon from SWS, specifically the "Bodies and Souls" supplement.

 

[Daemon]

Hmmm...

Similar in idea to CRGreathouse's race generator. I say similar, since I intend for it to cover a lot more. Feats, skills, etc... will be entered into a database, and each will count towards the CR (for the CR calcs), etc...

It would have to be app-based due to the complexity of the entire relations (well, not entirely true... I could do it in perl, but that would take a long long time!)

Not sure about encounter generator... though I guess it could be easily included for any monsters you have saved into the database...

Any other ideas? Still looking to do it I think...

BTW, Dragon CR calc is crap. Dont' know how Charles' is done, but I would certainly like to find out...

Daemon

 

[Fast Learner]

web or app based??

Web, but with the ability to save them, come back and edit, etc. I may port it to an app if it proves sufficiently requested, but I'll be constantly adding new content (and soliciting it), so the web has instant-updatability.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Re: Hmmm...

Dont' know how Charles' is done, but I would certainly like to find out...

How are you with math? If you can handle logs and powers, email me and I'll explain it.

mwtools@thyle.net

 

[Twin Rose]

I'll share my algorithms with you guys, but I have to ask ... What is the point, exactly?