Monster Role questions

[AllisterH]

: re Monster Classification

Actually, monsters have 3 classifications, 2 of them can form an x/y axis while the third is a binary state.

Monster worth: Basically, how many PCs of the same level does this monster count as?
Minion - 1/4 of a PC of the same level
(Normal) - 1 PC of the same level (not actually coded as Normal but just my own method)
Elite - 2 PCs of the same level
Solo - 5 PCs of the same level

Monster Role: Basically how does it use its main schtick
Artillery : Ranged Support NPC
Controller : Area effect debuffs/movement enhancing/limitation
Lurker : Surprise damage when conditions are right
Skirmisher : Mobile dealer of damage
Soldier : Quicksand fighter (basically, the monster sticks in place and deals damage and if you get engaged, you're stuck)
Brute : High damage

The Binary state is whether or not you're a leader (the Pit Fiend was classified as a Elite Soldier Leader whereas the Human Mage is classified as Artillery Leader) which basically seems to be one that acts on its allies (either by enhancing them or by taking control of them).

 

[small pumpkin man]

Do we actually know that, SPM? Our stat list at this point is pretty small for controllers/artillery.

Having actually looked through the monsters we have, and not finding a single artillery with a ranged AoE, I'd have to say that SPM is full of crap on this one.

In fact there weren't many ranged AoE's on monsters full stop.

 

[lvl20dm]

The Human Mage has Thunderburst (a burst 1 ranged 10 attack) and dancing lightning (which targets three enemies within range). He is also an Artillery monster. The Kobold Wyrmpriest has a Blast 3, and is Artillery. I think Artillery and controllers will have AOE attacks - the controllers will tend to focus more on moving foes around and such while the Artillery will be more just solid damage.

 

[keterys]

In many ways, I think of brute/soldier and artillery/controllers as being a similar comparison. Raw force or finesse?

Brutes have lots of hit points and do heavy damage.
Soldiers have high defenses and are sticky.

Artillery fling heavy damage, but are fragile.
Controllers do all kinds of status effects.

Both soldiers and controllers work well with friends. So you get devils as soldiers/controllers and demons as brutes/artillery.

I'm guessing you see the same difference between hobgoblins and gnolls, too. I mean, not that you _can't_ have the other, but it's thematic.

 

[malcolm_n]

Leaders might be able to heal others, but not necessarily. An orc shaman is probably a leader who can heal. The pit fiend is a leader but he can't.

But only if he doesn't spec enhancement or has REALLY good gear, like t5.

 

[small pumpkin man]

The Human Mage has Thunderburst (a burst 1 ranged 10 attack) and dancing lightning (which targets three enemies within range). He is also an Artillery monster. The Kobold Wyrmpriest has a Blast 3, and is Artillery. I think Artillery and controllers will have AOE attacks - the controllers will tend to focus more on moving foes around and such while the Artillery will be more just solid damage.

The version of the WyrmPriest I have has a close, not whatever ranged AoE is called. And by "the monsters we have access to" I meant the MM pictures from D&DEXP and the "monsters and more" pdf. I'm sure there are other sources, I just wasn't feeling up to trawling for them.