Monster Manual: How Much Cut?

[Aeolius]

Why cut anything at all? 4e is embracing the digital age. Why not have a Monster Manual that does the same?

Subscribers to the DDI should have access to "My Monster Manual", a database of 5,000 monsters from which one may pick and choose. Each monster selection has check lists to allow for inclusion of artwork, world-specific setting information, ecologies, Player Character information, and so on.

Once your selections are complete, your custom monster manual is printed, bound, and shipped to your address, in a manner similar to an iPhoto Photo Book . For example, one could create a monster book containing simply stat blocks for humanoids, or a book with all aquatic creatures.

 

[Kunimatyu]

Heyyy, don't cut the winter wolf!

If Frost Giants are in MM2, save the Winter Wolves (and Thrym Hounds) for then. I like the idea of the MMs containing groups of thematically linked monsters, especially with this "lots of monsters in one encounter" idea for 4e encounters.

So for MM1, Azers, Fire Giants, Flame Snakes, Hellhounds, Efreets etc make great choices, because you can come up with very interesting encounters that involve mixes of them.

 

[ruleslawyer]

I have the feeling that a *lot* of D&DI content will be monsters; especially ones with unique and complex abilities, or variants.

IMO, it should be pretty easy to contain a boatload of what are now considered "standard" monsters in D&D if 4e uses anything like the Iron Heroes villain class structure (which it apparently is doing in part, at least according to Mearls' post HERE ). After all, a hill giant is basically a bigger ogre with the rock throwing/catching ability. A frost giant is a bigger hill giant with the cold subtype. Everything else is flavor text. As such, I could easily see (and I have no idea whether 4e will do this or not, and will avoid speculating) a "giant" chart that covers acceptable stat ranges over level 3-30 and contains drop-in "slots" for abilities like regeneration, energy subtype, etc. Given that skills are easier to deal with in 4e, it seems like you could stat up any kind of giant you like in about 30 seconds, and it would be just as distinct from other giants as a 3e frost giant is from an ogre or troll.

 

[Aeolius]

So for MM1, Azers, Fire Giants, Flame Snakes, Hellhounds, Efreets etc make great choices, because you can come up with very interesting encounters that involve mixes of them.

Unless your game is set underwater. Sea elves, merfolk, and locathah are core races, in my game. If all three are not in the 4e MM, I would be inclined to wait until 4e catches up with my aspirations.

 

[jaer]

If Frost Giants are in MM2, save the Winter Wolves (and Thrym Hounds) for then. I like the idea of the MMs containing groups of thematically linked monsters, especially with this "lots of monsters in one encounter" idea for 4e encounters.

So for MM1, Azers, Fire Giants, Flame Snakes, Hellhounds, Efreets etc make great choices, because you can come up with very interesting encounters that involve mixes of them.

This is an excellent point.

I would like some of the current 3e MM removed just so I have new things to use. While my players will love seeing the old ones in new form (kobolds! They love killing kobolds!), I always love having something new to surprise the with.

While the 4e MM does need to cover the spread of leaves, I would not be surprised to see it heavier on the low end and leaner on the top end. Also, it would be nice to have little themes with make it easy to see which creatures would work well in a group for an encounter (or whole adventure line).

 

[Kunimatyu]

Unless your game is set underwater. Sea elves, merfolk, and locathah are core races, in my game. If all three are not in the 4e MM, I would be inclined to wait until 4e catches up with my aspirations.

Be honest -- that sort of game is a rarity (and pretty neat, but still a rarity).

We do know that we're getting Sahuagin and Sahuagin Mutants in core, so chances are there will be enough to run a basic somewhat-underwater-themed game. In general though, true underwater fights are so difficult that I'd prefer the core MM to focus on "aquatic" monsters the PCs can fight in 3 feet of water.

 

[Aeolius]

Be honest -- that sort of game is a rarity (and pretty neat, but still a rarity)... In general though, true underwater fights are so difficult that I'd prefer the core MM to focus on "aquatic" monsters the PCs can fight in 3 feet of water.

Fair enough, so long as the 4e DMG3/MM3/PH3 have sufficient undersea rules and beasties to handle games such as mine. Stormwrack was a great beginning, but I was still waiting on Races of Water, The Hydronomicon, Complete Aquan, and Waterscapes when 4e was announced.

 

[FadedC]

Some of what stat blocks are needed will depend on the options in the game itself. If there are no familiars then we probably dont need stats for a house cat, if familiars do exsit then we might need those stats (or at least generic stats for familiars). I'd be inclined to say the number of non combat animal stats we need is extremely limited, and probably Lizard's idea of having generic stats for small, tiny, etc. animals would work quite well.

Animals the pcs might be expected to fight though should definitely get some stats. I've lost track of how many games (especially in living greyhawk) where I've seen wolves, crocodiles and bears. Weither you go so far as to include stats for an octopus or elephant is another matter entirely.

 

[Aeolius]

Animals the pcs might be expected to fight though should definitely get some stats. I've lost track of how many games (especially in living greyhawk) where I've seen wolves, crocodiles and bears. Weither you go so far as to include stats for an octopus or elephant is another matter entirely.

I have had a game concept on the back-burner for some time. "Nature of the Beast" begins with Players assuming the roles of small forest animals. Rules governing reincarnation, Awaken, and anthropomorphism will be involved. Druids figure heavily in the setting. I had hoped to try the game using 4e. If 4e nerfs any of these concepts, I guess I'll have to run it with 3.5e.

 

[small pumpkin man]

Pretty sure dinosaurs are in, just now called behemoth. From what I understand, every monster in the desert of desolation mini set is in the 4e MM1, and there was an ankylosaur in the set.

AAAaaannd a Gelatinous Cube!

(wait, didn't they have a gelatinous cube miniature as an April fools joke? I guess enough people wrote in to say "I'd totally buy that, btw")