D&D 4E More 4e Monsters

[keterys]

Just some monster basics that have not yet been proven:

Hit Points appear to have a formula:
Base HP = Con Score + (Level + 1) * (Role HP)
Elites are Base * 2, Solos are Base * 5

Role HP Values:
Lurker/Artillery: 6
Controller/Skirmisher/Soldier: 8
Brute: 10

So, in theory yours should be (35 + (29 * 8))*5, or 1335 hp.

Attack values seem to cluster around level + 5, with some variance around there but not huge amounts. Attacks against AC are often about 2 higher than other defenses, but you're at level + 15 and level +17 so I'd probably reign back, especially with a power that can give a -5 defense penalty.

Defenses I tend to think of as about 12 to 15 over level, with an extra 2 or so for elite, extra 4 or 5 for solo. I personally try to avoid huge defenses as I was finding it made combats drag too much, but that's just a personal leaning. At any rate, you're on target here, I just figured I'd type it since I was typing the rest.

Nothing wrong, but why is eyes of the non-believer melee? Is it plunging the rod into their eyes? Ie, why does it have reach on that attack but not on its basic one?

Anyhow, great to see you continue to post monsters!

 

[GoodKingJayIII]

Thanks for the suggestions keterys. You're the monster expert around here!

I was wondering if the attacks/defenses/etc. were too high. I am trying to shake my 3.x assumptions that stat values influence other values. I'll make the adjustments accordingly.

Nothing wrong, but why is eyes of the non-believer melee? Is it plunging the rod into their eyes? Ie, why does it have reach on that attack but not on its basic one?

Actually, that's just a complete doof on my part. It was leftover from a previous iteration of the ability. It shouldn't have reach (though it should gain reach when the target is bloodied).

 

[keterys]

You're the monster expert around here!

I figure I've got a whole 'nother month (exactly!) to be the expert, then the books come out and BAM, back to the pits for me: just another gamer.

 

[KrazyHades]

My question is do we have any sort of suggested ranges for things like HP, damage, and attack bonus? With the "flatter" level curve of 4e, I could easily see our monsters being way off of the target level. For example, do we really know that the level 10 guy you made is around the same difficulty of a WotC level 10? It obviously does not have to be exact, but I wish we had some sort of list of suggested numbers.


EDIT: IIRC WotC is going to include those types of numbers in the core books, but I wonder if we have any ideas already.

 

[keterys]

I'd contend that the data on damage is a bit inconclusive at the moment - especially since it varies strongly between monsters by role, but I gave the information for hit points, attacks, and defenses above.

 

[GoodKingJayIII]

For example, do we really know that the level 10 guy you made is around the same difficulty of a WotC level 10? It obviously does not have to be exact, but I wish we had some sort of list of suggested numbers.

I think we have good reason to believe that these homebrew monsters are on par. Keterys's are really the best examples to follow; he's been doing it for longer and has many, many examples of all levels.

But, we have a pretty reasonable idea of what HPs for various monster types will be. We also know that monsters gain +1 attack/level and +1 damage/2 levels. We also know that Fort, Ref, and Will Defenses = 10 + Level + Relevant Ability Score mod (Str/Con for Fort, Dex/Int for Ref, Wis/Cha for Will). This doesn't apply quite the same way for monsters, who seem to gain a bonus to defenses anywhere from -2 to +6 (or more, depending on templates, elite/solo status, etc.).

Based on the reasonable assumptions we've made about monsters and assuming I've got my math right, most of my critters should match up pretty well against RAW equivalents. The only thing that probably errs are the typical number of abilities and the damage that they do. I have been assigning damage die type arbitrarily at this point, eyballing either based on what I think is appropriate for that level/monster type.

Really, it's tough to playtest anything above 4th level, as we haven't really seen PCs anywhere above 1st level.