Monster Design--from a designer's standpoint

[Cadfan]

EVERYTHING gets +1/2 level. That's "the math".

From what we know, monsters don't HAVE to follow "the math."

 

[Lizard]

From what we know, monsters don't HAVE to follow "the math."

Everything I've seen is that it's built into the guidelines. At the least, I've seen nothing which breaks it yet. Can you show me some samples which dispute this?

As far as I can tell, the monster guidelines give ranges for attributes, armor class, and damage. You don't need complex tables to figure saves, BAB, and so on because it's always +1/2 level +Attribute modifier. Brutes have high strength for their level, artillery high dex, leaders (i would guess) high charisma, and so on.

 

[Steely Dan]

EVERYTHING gets +1/2 level. That's "the math".

Do characters get 1/2 level as a bonus to damage (I know monsters don't - pit fiend etc)?

 

[1of3]

Now we just need to jazz up the (...) Flumph (...).

As you command...

Flumph
Level 3 Lurker
Medium aberrant magical beast
XP 150
Initiative: +6
Senses: Perception +9; low-light vision
HP 46; Bloodied 23
AC 17; Fortitude 13, Reflex 15, Will 14
Speed 1; fly 4 (good)

m Spikes (Standard; at will) • Acid
+8 vs. AC; 2d4+5 and ongoing 3 acid (save ends)

C Nauseating Spray (Standard; recharge 5,6) • Poison
Close Line 4; +7 vs. Reflex; 2d6+5 and Stunned (save ends)

Alignment Lawful Good Languages Common
Skills: Dungeoneering +9, Perception +9, Stealth +10
Str 13 (+2) Dex 19 (+3) Wis 16 (+4)
Con 14 (+3) Int 14 (+5) Cha 13 (+2)



I used the Hobgoblin Warcaster as a base. Not sure about the damage.

 

[fafhrd]

Talkative lizards are less rare than one might think.

 

[Lizard]

Do characters get 1/2 level as a bonus to damage (I know monsters don't - pit fiend etc)?

Ah, the joys of internet nitpickery...

By "Everything", in this context, I mean "Everything that gets +1/2 level is (as near as I can tell) shared among monsters and characters." I do not think characters get it either, but, if they did, it would surprise me that monsters did not.

Have we seen anything to indicate a level-based damage bonus for characters?

 

[Storminator]

Yeah, in 4e, it will only have a +*8* Reflex save (Save=1/2 level)

Except it's not level 16. CR 4 --> +2, then apply Dex penalty...

You may detect just the slightest hint of sarcasm. The slightest. A hint.

Around here? Where?

PS

 

[Storminator]

EVERYTHING gets +1/2 level. That's "the math".

Look at the various monster stats we've seen so far.

If I'm wrong, I missed something somewhere. Point it out to me, please.

You're wrong in thinking that 3.5e Hit Dice (which are gone in 4e...) in any way relates to 4e monster level.

But that's ok! Rant on! It's all good.

PS

 

[Puggins]

Yeah, in 4e, it will only have a +*8* Reflex save (Save=1/2 level)

It may. Or you know, it probably won't. That baby dragon that the DDXP parties fought was level 4 and had 280 hit points. In other words, just because you're huge and beefy doesn't make you good at everything- that baby dinosaur could be level 2 with 150 hit points and have a ref defense of 10 after factoring its just-out-of-the-womb dex.

I'm sure glad THAT was fixed! Wow!

Yep, me too.

You may detect just the slightest hint of sarcasm. The slightest. A hint.

It helps to have have a clue about what you're being sarcastic about. Otherwise you could wind up looking rather silly.

 

[Lizard]

Except it's not level 16. CR 4 --> +2, then apply Dex penalty...



Around here? Where?

PS

So what's a CR 4 critter doing with 16 hit dice?