Monster Hit Dice

[GravyFingerz]

It's been bothering me for a while, but I spent 5 minutes thinking on a solution, and I came up with this reasoning.

If you go by the DMG, the CR of an NPC with levels in an NPC class is their Level - 1. What is an NPC Class? BAB, various good saves, skill points, and a name. They are almost exactly like the various monster types. Each monster type has a hit die type, BAB, various good saves, and skill points. Therefore, it stands that you could make a 17 HD monster and have him be approximately 16-17 CR. But there is a problem.

Magical items. NPCs are assumed to have certain level of wealth. Monsters are not expected to have this. Therefore, compared to an NPC of equal hit dice, they are not as powerful. (As a sidenote, another reason why I don't like D&D assuming PCs and NPCs have a certain level of wealth in magical items).

So, I'm just throwing this out there, and here is the idea:

Monsters have a number of hit dice equal to their intended CR. To compensate for lack of magical items, creatures receive a number of benefits based on their hit dice, which includes ability score bonuses, saving throw bonuses, to hit and damage bonuses, and save DC bonuses.

Thoughts?

 

[Darkness]

Compared to monsters, NPC class CRs are too high after the first few levels.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Thoughts?

Yes.

Magical items. NPCs are assumed to have certain level of wealth. Monsters are not expected to have this.

MONSTERS WITH TREASURE
Every monster has a treasure rating (indicating how much treasure it has, although for some creatures the rating is “None”). The tables found below are used to determine the specifics. After referencing the level and kind of treasure (coins, goods, items) found in the creature’s description, roll on the appropriate row and columns of the proper table.

When generating an encounter dealing with monsters away from their lair, remember that a creature only takes what it can easily carry with it. In the case of a creature that cannot use treasure, that generally means nothing. The monster safeguards or hides its treasure as well as it can, but it leaves it behind when outside the lair.

1. Generate a monster's treasure.
2. If it can use it, it'll probably carry it with it.
3. By extension, it'll probably use it.
4. Ergo, monsters *do* have treasure.

 

[GravyFingerz]

1. Generate a monster's treasure.
2. If it can use it, it'll probably carry it with it.
3. By extension, it'll probably use it.
4. Ergo, monsters *do* have treasure.

Hah, learn something new everyday!

 

[Impeesa]

Monsters also have all kinds of nifty "class abilities" to go with those hit dice, from breath weapons to regeneration, and so on.

--Impeesa--