Monster Fluff

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I don't feel like I need much more fluff then I already have. But maybe it's just my MM2 memories speaking to me. Especially since I remember the Fell Taint monster and the Bullywugs, which immediately inspired me to use them - and I did use them, too.

I like the way information is put in the knowledge checks.
If I wanted more, here's what I come up with:
- Physical Description: Something that replicates the illustration. This can be helpful if you want to keep the players guessing a little.
- Suggested Terrain or Climate. Describe where this monster might be found. Not defined as a rule, but as a hint where they might fit well.
- Suggested Organization: Nomadic, tribes, packs, solitary, mating pair, family. This could be worked into the sample encounters, I think. Instead of just giving an encounter level, give it a descriptive name or text. "Orc Raiding Party", "Orc Tribe Guard", "Hobgoblin Elite Squad", and maybe even a group of encounters with a theme, like "Kobold Lair".

I am not sure I want information on aging or biology on a general basis. Maybe with monsters that are known to be unique in that regard...

 

[Starsunder]

I think it's very important to have a lot of stat blocks.

But I think it's equally important to have a lot of things that are not stat blocks.

And it is the most important to have a Monster Manual suitable for pitting a wide variety of challenges against my players.

Currently, the MMs fail on everything except the "lots of stat blocks." And I am VERY unhappy with it.

GRUMPY FACE

We can build a better bestiary, guys.

I agree whole-heartedly.

Frankly, im a pretty tough critic when it comes to MM's because they are my single favorite D&D book, in any edition. I can literally sit there and read the MM like its a novel, for hours on end. And doing so inspires me in a way that stale stat blocks could never do. When I first opened the 2e monster compendium and saw that I had 300+ pages of pure monster fluffiness, I think I had a mild stroke.

Now, don't get me wrong. I think that the monster stat blocks are very well done in 4e, easy to read, concise, and to the point. And sometimes the stat block DOES inspire me to run a particular monster (Bullywugs are a good example). However, much more often than not, I need more to be inspired.