D&D 5E New Spellcasting Blocks for Monsters --- Why?!

[Reynard]

In general when I see somebody wildly exaggerating opposing claims, I figure it means they probably don't have much an argument to make.

Wait, what? I was agreeing with you.

 

[Bill Zebub]

Wait, what? I was agreeing with you.

Yeah, I couldn't figure that out. Either you misunderstood my point, or I'm misunderstanding yours. It seemed like you were dismissing the point of view that monsters should have their abilities by exaggerating the opposition to it.

In any event:
1) I think it's boring when monsters use PC spells. I'd rather they have their own unique abilities.
2) But it's not that big of a deal either way.

 

[Reynard]

Yeah, I couldn't figure that out. Either you misunderstood my point, or I'm misunderstanding yours. It seemed like you were dismissing the point of view that monsters should have their abilities by exaggerating the opposition to it.

In any event:
1) I think it's boring when monsters use PC spells. I'd rather they have their own unique abilities.
2) But it's not that big of a deal either way.

I was saying that some otherworldy horror should have specific powers and abilities that aren't just drawn from the pool of PC spells.

 

[Zaukrie]

I hate long lists of spells in a monster statblock. Give me actions that are "spells" all day. Now, could Vecna have more / different spells? Sure, that would be ok with me. Of course, this is just "Vecna this particular day / encounter" also.....

 

[Bill Zebub]

I was saying that some otherworldy horror should have specific powers and abilities that aren't just drawn from the pool of PC spells.

Ahhhh…I parsed that sentence all wrong.

 

[Shardstone]

Not really, because the new stat block still includes spells you have to look up. You haven't solved the problem, just slightly lowered the bar.

I don't think there is any such thing as an out of the book stat block for anything more complex than a bag of hit points with multiattack. If you want any tactical complexity at all, it requires some degree of examining the stats and considering how they will interact with the PCs, the environment and other monsters.

I think one of the kinds of modularity D&D could do with is what I'll call JRPG vs CRPG combat. That is, straight forward standing in ranks choosing attacks, versus full tactical movement and terrain etc. Note that I am not making a value judgement between these things, just that not everyone wants full tactical depth, while others do. In a perfect world you would have two MMs, lean versus robust.

My argument is not that everything should be in the stat block, only that the bar should be lowered.

 

[Reynard]

My argument is not that everything should be in the stat block, only that the bar should be lowered.

But my argument IS that everything should be in the stat block.

 

[Shardstone]

But my argument IS that everything should be in the stat block.

Sure! I'd have no problem with that either.

But I'm also OK with just a very short list of spells. My personal stakes only go that far. If everything is in the stat block though sure, that's fun! I actually prefer more unique magical actions for monsters as opposed to just casting spells.

 

[Minigiant]

In any event:
1) I think it's boring when monsters use PC spells. I'd rather they have their own unique abilities.
2) But it's not that big of a deal either way

Really to me what irks me a bit is when special monsters have nothing unique to their individual selves.

Like the stat block for a generic vampire count and a generic non-spawn vampire should be different.

There really should be a step between a legendary monster and a generic monster.

I really don't think we should use the same stat block for the evil necromancer we face at level 3 and the trio of necromancers we face with zombies at level 12 in a random encounter.

 

[Zaukrie]

Really to me what irks me a bit is when special monsters have nothing unique to their individual selves.

Like the stat block for a generic vampire count and a generic non-spawn vampire should be different.

There really should be a step between a legendary monster and a generic monster.

I really don't think we should use the same stat block for the evil necromancer we face at level 3 and the trio of necromancers we face with zombies at level 12 in a random encounter.

That's what small third party products are for, imo. Lots of statblocks.... WotC has bigger targets to aim for.