AD&D 2E Monster Stat Block Presentation

[Sacrosanct]

I'm toying around with trying to come up with a better monster statblock presentation. Making it easier to read (larger font), put key information up at the very top, instead of doing treasure types, list out the individual treasure as it would appear on the treasure type table, have an optional ascending AC value, size comparison icon, and giving them all ability scores.

Thoughts?

 

[cbwjm]

That's a cool looking bugbear.

I sort of wonder if you really need most of the information at the end there, other than frequency and treasure, you already cover it in the above paragraphs. But I guess if you're trying to keep it fairly close to 2e then it should go somewhere.

I do like having the treasure written out rather than having to seek it out in the DMG, though I wonder if that would take up a bit of space once you get to some of the higher level creatures with the potential for magical items or large treasure hoards.

The size comparison icon is a nice touch, though I missed it until I reread your post and looked for it. I wonder if there is a better place for it to make it more noticeable, maybe after their name?

 

[Sacrosanct]

That's a cool looking bugbear.

I sort of wonder if you really need most of the information at the end there, other than frequency and treasure, you already cover it in the above paragraphs. But I guess if you're trying to keep it fairly close to 2e then it should go somewhere.

I do like having the treasure written out rather than having to seek it out in the DMG, though I wonder if that would take up a bit of space once you get to some of the higher level creatures with the potential for magical items or large treasure hoards.

The size comparison icon is a nice touch, though I missed it until I reread your post and looked for it. I wonder if there is a better place for it to make it more noticeable, maybe after their name?

Thanks. I've updated it based on some feedback I got. Added saving throws, bolded special abilities in text so they stand out and are easy to find at a glance, and reformatted attacks at the top. With creatures that have special attacks, this might be handy.

 

[Scribe]

That may be my favourite Bugbear art I can remember.

Good layout, Habitat and Society needs the right formatting, the listing bottom right looks a bit tight?

 

[Sacrosanct]

That may be my favourite Bugbear art I can remember.

Good layout, Habitat and Society needs the right formatting, the listing bottom right looks a bit tight?

See my edit I just posted above

 

[BigZebra]

I like this. Looks really nice. Is that for some personal project?

 

[Gus L]

It looks nice, but still means a monster takes up a whole page (I think this is fine, but it means one needs quick stats for placing in the room key as well).

I might also include ascending AC as you have included attack bonus.
I might also make the treasure description a bit more interesting as you are placing it in each monster stat page. What sort of art objects and jewelry? Presumably bugbears are intelligent and so likely product art of some kind (ivory carvings? uncut gemstones? hammered ingot jewelry?) and such as well as steal it.

 

[cbwjm]

Thanks. I've updated it based on some feedback I got. Added saving throws, bolded special abilities in text so they stand out and are easy to find at a glance, and reformatted attacks at the top. With creatures that have special attacks, this might be handy.

Good idea adding saving throws, not sure how many people would have a DM screen with that info nowadays so it saves people time hunting for that info in the book. Bolding relevant combat info was also a good idea, makes it pop so that it's easier to run from the book if needed.

 

[aco175]

It looks good and easy to read. The flow works.

Do you need the ability modifiers? I'm not sure how much these come into play from 1e/2e days.

 

[Nikosandros]

Looks neat. I find saving throws extremely useful. Personally, I don't particularly need ability scores for monsters. If they are there, modifiers might be useful, but it would probably make the stat block too busy.