New Monster Math in the Compendium
- Thread starter GameDoc
- Start date
No they have not. You will need to do this yourself.
I am working on a comprehensive monster design thread for this forum, giving all the new maths and advice on building monsters in a post-MM3 environment. This will take some time, because I have to fight the monster builder tooth and nail to generate correct looking stat blocks for my example.
I feel this is something that Wizards should have done in essentials actually. They didn't unfortunately. Given I spend 90% of my time obsessing about making monsters when I am thinking about DnD and the last math thread I made was well received here, it is more than worth doing. This isn't the first thread I've seen on updating former monster maths as well (or if Wizards has already done it and sadly, other than MV creatures they have not).
I am working on a comprehensive monster design thread for this forum, giving all the new maths and advice on building monsters in a post-MM3 environment. This will take some time, because I have to fight the monster builder tooth and nail to generate correct looking stat blocks for my example.
I feel this is something that Wizards should have done in essentials actually. They didn't unfortunately. Given I spend 90% of my time obsessing about making monsters when I am thinking about DnD and the last math thread I made was well received here, it is more than worth doing. This isn't the first thread I've seen on updating former monster maths as well (or if Wizards has already done it and sadly, other than MV creatures they have not).
GameDoc
Explorer
Well, darnitalltohell!
My preferred method when looking for monsters is to use the compendium since it has not only MV and MM 1-3, but all the monsters from the campaign settings, topical source books, published adventures, and Dungeon/Dragon articles.
Just to be clear: Monster Manual 3, Dark Sun Creature Catalog, and Monster Vault are all "up to code." Are there any other newer releases that already have the new math built in?
Is there a cutoff date that can be uses as a guideline (i.e., published before this date, needs revision; published after is up to code)?
Thanks
My preferred method when looking for monsters is to use the compendium since it has not only MV and MM 1-3, but all the monsters from the campaign settings, topical source books, published adventures, and Dungeon/Dragon articles.
Just to be clear: Monster Manual 3, Dark Sun Creature Catalog, and Monster Vault are all "up to code." Are there any other newer releases that already have the new math built in?
Is there a cutoff date that can be uses as a guideline (i.e., published before this date, needs revision; published after is up to code)?
Thanks
Anything published after Monster Manual 3 uses all the new updated damage and can be run as is (or with whatever tweaking you like best). Every book that came out after is similarly good. So Monster Manual 3, Demonomicon, Dark Sun Creature Catalog and Monster Vault are the best resources for monsters. Additionally dungeon magazine monsters published after MM3 are generally following the new maths - except when they use older monsters. This isn't a big issue as they never publish anything in paragon/epic anyway, where the maths makes the biggest difference.
Anything published after Monster Manual 2 (maybe a little before) uses the correct HP and defenses for elites/solos. You just need to upgrade the damage here and most of these creatures are fine. Bearing in mind you shouldn't do this at all for some, like Chaos Shards (brutal level 4 artillery with static shock IIRC). Creatures from MM2 need their accuracy changed, brutes have +2 (in general) to attacks, soldiers -2 (in general) and artillery are usually alright (as they had higher attacks in the first place).
Anything pre-MM2 needs to have its defenses looked at (if it is an elite/solo), because this was changed by MM2. Accuracy also needs looked at. HP of solos need to be looked at as well. Basically you need to do a fair amount of work on most aspects of older solos. There are some exceptions, the Ancient White Dragon in the original MM is very close to the updated damage and accuracy. It's a really curious why this is actually.
As an important aside, heroic tier monsters from older books tend to be usable as is. They aren't as "clever" as newer creatures, but they will function 100% fine without needing modification. Paragon and Epic monsters before MM3 do not work very well.
Edit: Once I get the time, I will post a really comprehensive thread + examples of designing newer creatures. One example per type (Soldier, Brute, Controller etc) and some example solos (which honestly are the most intensive work wise to get functioning well).
Anything published after Monster Manual 2 (maybe a little before) uses the correct HP and defenses for elites/solos. You just need to upgrade the damage here and most of these creatures are fine. Bearing in mind you shouldn't do this at all for some, like Chaos Shards (brutal level 4 artillery with static shock IIRC). Creatures from MM2 need their accuracy changed, brutes have +2 (in general) to attacks, soldiers -2 (in general) and artillery are usually alright (as they had higher attacks in the first place).
Anything pre-MM2 needs to have its defenses looked at (if it is an elite/solo), because this was changed by MM2. Accuracy also needs looked at. HP of solos need to be looked at as well. Basically you need to do a fair amount of work on most aspects of older solos. There are some exceptions, the Ancient White Dragon in the original MM is very close to the updated damage and accuracy. It's a really curious why this is actually.
As an important aside, heroic tier monsters from older books tend to be usable as is. They aren't as "clever" as newer creatures, but they will function 100% fine without needing modification. Paragon and Epic monsters before MM3 do not work very well.
Edit: Once I get the time, I will post a really comprehensive thread + examples of designing newer creatures. One example per type (Soldier, Brute, Controller etc) and some example solos (which honestly are the most intensive work wise to get functioning well).
[MENTION=78116]Aegeri[/MENTION]
Which thread are you speaking of? More information from experienced DM's is always helpful.
[MENTION=53915]GameDoc[/MENTION]
Link below provided excellent information for adjusting monsters (IMHO).
http://www.enworld.org/forum/4e-dis...s-when-you-adjust-monsters-level-up-down.html
Which thread are you speaking of? More information from experienced DM's is always helpful.
[MENTION=53915]GameDoc[/MENTION]
Link below provided excellent information for adjusting monsters (IMHO).
http://www.enworld.org/forum/4e-dis...s-when-you-adjust-monsters-level-up-down.html
This is my original thread on monster maths: Doing the Monster Math for the original MM.
Oooh, I want.
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