New Monster Stat Format - Any Good?

[Herremann the Wise]

Hi Everyone,

I heard from someone that there is a new Monster Stat Format being used by WOTC.
Are there any links around?
What's the general consensus on this new format?

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise

 

[I'm A Banana]

If it's the one I see in the DMG II....

It's a good thing. There are multiple blocks based on the information you need: a "defensive" block with AC, resistances, special defenses, weaknesses, an "offensive" block with attacks, special actions, attack options, base attack, etc.

I've adopted the format for the NPC's in my campaign. Attatched, you'll find a pdf of a Yeth Hound in this format.

 

[Len]

Lots & lots of discussion here. I make no promises of consensus.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Is this even DnD?

AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18

No AC breakdown. Does this thing have natural armor? An unholy deflection bonus? A special dodge bonus? What if this thing had magical barding?

hp 19 (3 HD)

No dice size categories, either. It's a good thing most of us know how many hp an outsider has, but if this thing had a strange template or levels in an unfamiliar class...

 

[Staffan]

No AC breakdown. Does this thing have natural armor? An unholy deflection bonus? A special dodge bonus? What if this thing had magical barding?
No dice size categories, either. It's a good thing most of us know how many hp an outsider has, but if this thing had a strange template or levels in an unfamiliar class...

I think it's meant to replace the stat blocks you find in adventures and sourcebooks, not the monster writeups. In most cases, the HD size of a critter matters little once it's already in play, but the number of HD often does (many spells have different effects based on HD).

 

[the Jester]

To clarify, this isn't how you stat up a new creature for a monster book, it's how you abbreviate it for an adventure.

It is, in my opinion, the best stat block for 3e. It's very usable; I tried it out about a week ago, and I really like it. It's organized and easy to use.

 

[Arashi Ravenblade]

I think the new format is just for NPC write ups. Like i doubt a monster manual 4 is gonna have this new format.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

True, but where AC bonusses come from matters A LOT. It's possible to figure out what AC to use when an invisible PC is making a touch attack on the creature by referencing its special abilities. (Usually, this will be touch AC - (normal AC - flatfooted AC), but abilities like uncanny dodge will change that). It's possible, but it's not easy. If the rogue has the feat that lets him ignore a certain amount of natural armor, it makes a big difference how much of a bonus is natural armor and that's something that you can't tell from the new statblock, even by referencing special abilities. Those kinds of questions are increasingly common in higher level play.

If I'm running an adventure, I want to see where the numbers came from. That kind of stuff is OK on an initiative card, but it doesn't cut it for a monster writeup.

I think it's meant to replace the stat blocks you find in adventures and sourcebooks, not the monster writeups. In most cases, the HD size of a critter matters little once it's already in play, but the number of HD often does (many spells have different effects based on HD).

 

[I'm A Banana]

Does this thing have natural armor? An unholy deflection bonus? A special dodge bonus? What if this thing had magical barding?

Natural armor adds to AC and Flat-Footed, not to touch. Deflection adds to all. Dodge bonuses add to all except Flat-Footed. Magical barding adds to all.

During design, it's important to note where they come from, but in play you're really only hitting one of three different AC's. The "flat-footed plus touch" example is a fourth, but that's easily derived on the fly....Should AC bonuses be spelled out when we don't spell out attack bonuses? (+4 strength, +1 magic, +1 specialization, +x power attack, etc...)?

Not sure, myself, but it doesn't seem to be that greivous of a sin, anyway....

Anyway, yeah, these are mainly for use on the fly in the game, not for extensive reference. They are arranged for ease of glancing use. All the information is there, but some of the stuff that has no direct impact on the game will take some digging to get to.

 

[Ysgarran]

I'm not sure that I will be using it. I like having all of the encounters on 5x8 index cards and this format does not seem to lend itself well to being printed on a card that size.

I don't love the old format but I will often will use color coding in my print outs to make important aspects stand out.

For a magazine or published adventure the new format should work out very nicely.

later,
Ysgarran.