New Stat Block... With Pictures...

[Scribble]

So I was listening to the podcast yesterday about the upcoming stuff, and they mentioned that the monster vault will have a new stat block format that includes the monster picture in it...

I don't recall anyone mentioning this before... Crazy... I hope they plan to update the DDI to include this new statblock/picture format.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Wow, they are really going old school.

Lets get ecology and such also into the statblock. I am really getting excited about essentials...

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

Honestly though, does that stuff belong in the STATBLOCK? I want a statblock that is small and concise that I can past into my wiki or print and put on a card. The whole POINT of the statblock is it doesn't have to contain all the other miscellaneous information and be an entire page of text.

Now, I'd LOVE to have the fluff for monsters be in the compendium and in MB. Often you look stuff up there and you haven't the faintest clue what the monster IS (though honestly that doesn't always worry me too much). Having it INSIDE the statblock? Not really ideal IMHO.

 

[Scribble]

Honestly though, does that stuff belong in the STATBLOCK? I want a statblock that is small and concise that I can past into my wiki or print and put on a card. The whole POINT of the statblock is it doesn't have to contain all the other miscellaneous information and be an entire page of text.

Now, I'd LOVE to have the fluff for monsters be in the compendium and in MB. Often you look stuff up there and you haven't the faintest clue what the monster IS (though honestly that doesn't always worry me too much). Having it INSIDE the statblock? Not really ideal IMHO.

It' apparently the same art that will be on the tokens.

While I agree I prefer my stat blocks small and usable, this I think will actually be something that SHOULD be in stat block.

When I run my games, I generally use tokens (Fiery Dragon FTW!)

I also tend to put a copy of the token next to my HP line for that monster.

It helps me quickly scan down my combat records and pick the right monster to do whatever needs to be done to it.

 

[Klaus]

It' apparently the same art that will be on the tokens.

While I agree I prefer my stat blocks small and usable, this I think will actually be something that SHOULD be in stat block.

When I run my games, I generally use tokens (Fiery Dragon FTW!)

I also tend to put a copy of the token next to my HP line for that monster.

It helps me quickly scan down my combat records and pick the right monster to do whatever needs to be done to it.

BTW [shameless plug] Fiery Dragon has now covered every single monster in the MM1, MM2 and Heroic tier of the MM3 (we plan on finishing Paragon 3 and Epic 3 in the next month). [/shameless plug]

 

[Scribble]

BTW [shameless plug] Fiery Dragon has now covered every single monster in the MM1, MM2 and Heroic tier of the MM3 (we plan on finishing Paragon 3 and Epic 3 in the next month). [/shameless plug]

Are they done up in the digital format yet?

When I was on drivethru a while back all I could find was the PDF versions.

 

[Klaus]

Are they done up in the digital format yet?

When I was on drivethru a while back all I could find was the PDF versions.

I just asked Fiery Dragon, and the CCDigital expansions should be up within a week.

 

[jimmifett]

damnit, now i'll have to re-do my xslt again

 

[TikkchikFenTikktikk]

Honestly though, does that stuff belong in the STATBLOCK?

Yes.

Unequivocally, yes.

The stablock should describe the monster. The appearance of the monsters and where it usually is found is vital.

My most virulent criticisms of the 4E monsters is that, especially for the more obscure monsters, and especially obscure monsters without illustrations or minis, the players never had a good idea in their minds' eyes what they were fighting.

As a player I need to know: What physical shape does this threat take?

As a DM I need to know: Where can this threat credibly be found?

This is good stuff and overdue.

 

[Dragonbait]

After running Revenge of the Giants with a stat block, a name, and Magical Beast being the ONLY thing that tells me what the creature is, I'm going to say that it's a good thing.

I hope they do this for the adventures, too.