Monster Formatting

[Nyaricus]

• One section for start of the encounter (what can the monster see, understand and what its init is)
• the next section has stuff to remember for when the PCs attack it (AC, Defenses)
• the next has most of the stuff the monster can do on its turn (attacks, spell like abilities, combat gear)
• a non-combat section (skills, ect.)
• The last is explanatory text for special abilities and the like

Perfect! Now if they add in those useful detaisl they left out, this will be perfect!!

 

[FireLance]

The AC breakdown is added in the latest versions of the stat blocks I've seen (Hordes of the Abyss).

As for the hp breakdown, I wouldn't really miss it, but I do add it in my own custom stat blocks (which also includes things like reach/range increment for melee and ranged attacks, feat source notation, and skill ranks).

 

[the Jester]

The expanded format in MM4 appears to have some kind of organization, treasure, etc entries in the "after statblock" part of the entries.

 

[paradox42]

I concur that leaving out the detail in the HD/HP and AC lines is Bad, and always add it back in myself (for base monsters the HD/HP is less necessary, but look at any classed monster and the lack of detail becomes immediately annoying). When I make new monsters these days I'm always using the original format, not the new one, but it's largely inertia of all my existing stuff being in the old format and I haven't had the time or inclination to change the statblocks- IMO the new format is superior in every way except those missing details.

And I think dante posted this in House Rules because it's his favorite forum, the one he reads and posts to most often, but I concur that this really belongs in General. Do we need to report posts to get mods to move threads, or just depend on them coming to the thread to read requests for movement?

 

[airwalkrr]

I used to dislike the new stat block, but after a year of perspective, I have decided that was simply because I was not used to it. Now that I have used the new stat block in countless Dungeon adventures and my own d20 writing, I have decided it is much superior. Additionally, the Design Diary article recently on wizards.com which was linked several posts ago served to put the final nail in the coffin for my opinion on the new stat block. I love it now!

 

[Nyaricus]

And I think dante posted this in House Rules because it's his favorite forum, the one he reads and posts to most often, but I concur that this really belongs in General. Do we need to report posts to get mods to move threads, or just depend on them coming to the thread to read requests for movement?

The only way to *insure* that a thread will get moved to an appropriate forum is by reporting a post. It's clumsy, but it works :\

 

[Kafkonia]

I think it shows a severe laziness and it doesnt look as nice. So for those who want to use the better more complete format...Im posting it here when I get the time later. I just hate sloppy work from the people who are spose to be professionals.

Comments? Ideas?

Posting the published stats in the old statblock format is, I believe, a violation of copyright and may be frowned upon by the moderators.

 

[XCorvis]

Posting the published stats in the old statblock format is, I believe, a violation of copyright and may be frowned upon by the moderators.

I think he meant that he was going to post a more complete FORMAT, not reprint stat blocks. Anyway, he's completely within his rights to reprint any OGC in any stat block form he wants.

 

[Kafkonia]

I think he meant that he was going to post a more complete FORMAT, not reprint stat blocks. Anyway, he's completely within his rights to reprint any OGC in any stat block form he wants.

He certainly is.

I understood his comment to mean that he was going to reprint the stats from MMIV (which, like pretty much everything WotC aside from the SRD, is not OGC) in another format. If that's not what he meant, my apologies.

 

[dante58701]

When I get the free time Im gonna post the stats blocks for the old format...no actual creatures...just a blank slate for use by those who hate the new mangled format. Ill be putting in a different thread though.

The new format really does suck for details...Ive never like generic spew stats. Any idiot can make generic stats...its easy. Thats precisely why I like the old stats. They aren't so corporate and crapped out like so much spew. I think WOTC is just starting to get lazy. First they steal the company from Gary Gygax. Then they improve the system a little. Then they mass produce it on an epic level. Then they mangle the hell out of in hopes of bigger profits (the new stat blocks and wussified demon lords). Essentially raping the system and catering to people who have never played dungeons and dragons, advanced dungeouns and dragons (1st edition), or advanced dungeons and dragons (2nd edition). I think they owe traditionalist gamers an apology for ruining the game with this processed cheese version of D&D.