D&D 5E Monster Roles

[Retreater]

In Matt Colville's recent "Tactics and Strategy" video (https://youtu.be/FfYItCw00Z4), he mentioned creating encounters by using monsters that fulfilled basic roles, which IIRC were: infantry, brute, glass cannon/striker, artillery, and boss.

These terms were often used in 4E, and I'm somewhat of an apologist for the system's monster design.

Applying these terms to 5E monsters, I wonder what categories monsters would fit in? (Assuming you run them from the book without equipment or class level modifications.)

 

[aco175]

I tend to use the same terms from 4e and carry them over to 5e. I modify monsters to make new roles and to make the encounter better. I may take a basic hobgoblin (Infantry) and make it a mage type hobgoblin which makes him now an artillery monster. I lower or take away the extra melee damage from being next to another hobgoblin and add some spells. could just use another caster, but want to keep the monsters the same type/species.

 

[Jester David]

The terms predate 4e. Heck, they predate D&D with the basic terms originating from military wargaming.

The basic way of making use of these tactics is to give monsters different equipment. Archers have bows, infantry might have spears, brutes might have heavier armour and shields.

 

[cmad1977]

For me a monsters role isn’t based upon its combat abilities but upon its objective on the battlefield.
It’s combat abilities inform its role.

 

[Retreater]

For me a monsters role isn’t based upon its combat abilities but upon its objective on the battlefield.
It’s combat abilities inform its role.

I understand that concept, but there's little denying that (for example) a troglodyte is better suited to be a brute with its melee attacks, stench aura, and low AC; and a stirge with its mobility and low HP would be something like a striker/glass cannon.

However, this is more like an organizational tool in the same vein as Challege Rating, which can potentially help newer DMs (or just busy ones trying to put together an encounter).

 

[Charlaquin]

In Matt Colville's recent "Tactics and Strategy" video (https://youtu.be/FfYItCw00Z4), he mentioned creating encounters by using monsters that fulfilled basic roles, which IIRC were: infantry, brute, glass cannon/striker, artillery, and boss.

These terms were often used in 4E, and I'm somewhat of an apologist for the system's monster design.

Applying these terms to 5E monsters, I wonder what categories monsters would fit in? (Assuming you run them from the book without equipment or class level modifications.)

No need to apologize for 4e’s monster design, it was the best part of the system.

Bringing roles over to 5e is a little tricky, but certainly doable. I thiink the key is to look closely at a monster’s abilities and what sort of tactics they encourage. Also break them down to their offensive and defensive CR by feeding them backwards through the DMG’s monster creation guidelines. That should give you a pretty good idea where it sits in terms of tankiness and DPS compared to other monsters in the same overall CR catergory.

 

[Stalker0]

No need to apologize for 4e’s monster design, it was the best part of the system.

Bringing roles over to 5e is a little tricky, but certainly doable. I thiink the key is to look closely at a monster’s abilities and what sort of tactics they encourage. Also break them down to their offensive and defensive CR by feeding them backwards through the DMG’s monster creation guidelines. That should give you a pretty good idea where it sits in terms of tankiness and DPS compared to other monsters in the same overall CR catergory.

Agreed. 4e may have missed the mark on certain areas but monster design wasn't one of them. I like the notion of splitting out the offensive and defensive CR, that can help identify some of your soldiers and artillery.

 

[cbwjm]

4e monster design is one of the things I really like about the edition. I'd like to create some similar rules for 5e to make quick enemies when you're DMing a game and the PCs have gone of the grid and you need to quickly come up with some stats.