D&D (2024) Monster manual Fey video up

[Reynard]

Sure, but I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about the idea that an NPC Archmage has an "arcane blast" that a PC can't learn because it's presented as a monster feature in the statblock, not a spell.

I can see that, but, personally, I do not care about those things. I think game design trumps. If it is more fun and/or makes the job of the GM easier, I'm for it.

I believe they should potentially have that access if the NPC is the same kind of creature.

You think verisimilitude is of the highest importance -- a view that I respect, but do not share.

That said, there really isn't a game design reason for Arcane Blast, when choosing a cantrip and putting it in the stat block works just as well.

 

[Micah Sweet]

No, because its central to the basis, the foundation, of the game. Fey, Fairy Tales, the original stories of little people, talking animals, and the like, are very much Fey in origin.

Its core, its basic tropes, you couldnt pull it out of Fantasy as a genre, from a western definition.

So you're saying that all monsters should be fey?

 

[Micah Sweet]

You can't judge the form of a thing if you have not examined it yourself, and your criticism was about form.

I've read over parts of the actual 5.5 PH and DMG (a friend let me look through his copies).

 

[Remathilis]

Why would you have separate representations of them mechanically if the only difference is creature type?

It's not. They have different mechanics and abilities.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I can see that, but, personally, I do not care about those things. I think game design trumps. If it is more fun and/or makes the job of the GM easier, I'm for it.

You think verisimilitude is of the highest importance -- a view that I respect, but do not share.

That said, there really isn't a game design reason for Arcane Blast, when choosing a cantrip and putting it in the stat block works just as well.

Fair enough. We all have different priorities.

 

[Micah Sweet]

It's not. They have different mechanics and abilities.

Since the NPC statblocks don't actually represent goblins, but rather any humanoid in a generic fashion (based on what we know of them, of course), I don't see how that can be true.

 

[Scribe]

So you're saying that all monsters should be fey?

Depending on how close one wishes to cleave to the true source material, sure.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Depending on how close one wishes to cleave to the true source material, sure.

Then I would argue that the game should pick a design direction in this area, or be clear in the text that they aren't and won't.

 

[Weiley31]

Should deciding to play a half-elf or a half-orc require a feat tax?

No because they are in the still backwards compatible 2014 book and still options when it comes to picking a race.

 

[Reynard]

Since the NPC statblocks don't actually represent goblins, but rather any humanoid in a generic fashion (based on what we know of them, of course), I don't see how that can be true.

You pick a NPC statblock and then apply a species template. What's the problem?