D&D (2024) PHB 2024 Creature Reveal: Sphinx of Wonder

[dave2008]

I am not sure what you mean, because I pretty much said that what I would prefer is NOT to separate the saves base bonuses (i.e. save proficiencies) from other saves modifiers (e.g. "magic resistance") and that both the 2014 and 2024 stat blocks DO require you to read two different places. These were not combined in the 2014 stat block and are still not combined in the 2024 stat block.

Magic resistance isn't a save modifier (it grants Advantage). So it is a bit confusing to understand what you mean.

 

[Li Shenron]

Magic resistance isn't a save modifier (it grants Advantage). So it is a bit confusing to understand what you mean.

What I mean is that, when it is time for a creature to make a save, it would be best for the DM to have everything they need in the same place.

The 2014 monster stat block had a section listing the save modifiers (only those which were different from just the ability modifiers). The 2024 monster stat block shows all save modifiers next to ability modifiers. Both stat blocks keep other stuff affecting the saving throws in a different location, so as a DM I am going to have to look in different places to make sure I am running it right.

I think it would have been an improvement to have a single "saving throws" section with all the information, so when I have to roll a save I can see both the roll modifier and possible situational advantages in one place. This is actually something I have already taken care for characters (you can find my custom character sheets for download here) which are more important than monsters with regard to making sure they don't forget to use all their abilities.

 

[Dausuul]

Thoughts:

1. Sphinxes as celestials...? Interesting. So, in essence, Egypt rather than Greece is now the primary mythological inspiration for sphinxes. I approve. Not that I don't like Greek mythology, but D&D's mythic roots are overwhelmingly Greek and Norse*. Diluting that influence and bringing in more from other mythologies -- especially ones as extensive and well-documented as Egypt's -- is welcome**.

2. Nothing dramatically different in the new statblock, but a number of small quality-of-life improvements. I really like the new style of ability scores/saves, as well as reactions explicitly calling out the trigger and the response. And putting initiative up at the top is SO helpful. I also note that there appears to be a notion of "passive initiative" now, which could make life a lot easier for the DM trying to run a bunch of different monsters at once.

3. That is one heck of a familiar. 24 hit points, decent AC, three damage resistances plus magic resistance... that thing is going to be tougher than your PC at low levels. And +2 to a skill check or save twice per day is nothing to sneeze at. Finally, if you can arrange to let your familiar attack, it packs quite a punch.

*Not exclusively, to be sure; D&D has cribbed from pretty much everybody at some point. But the Greek and Norse critters are vastly overrepresented.

**If D&D's mythic roots were pure Greek or pure Norse, I might have a different view; as a fan of curated settings, I appreciate an effort to maintain unity of theme. But the game is already mashing up wildly different mythologies, so why stop at two?

 

[dave2008]

What I mean is that, when it is time for a creature to make a save, it would be best for the DM to have everything they need in the same place.

The 2014 monster stat block had a section listing the save modifiers (only those which were different from just the ability modifiers). The 2024 monster stat block shows all save modifiers next to ability modifiers. Both stat blocks keep other stuff affecting the saving throws in a different location, so as a DM I am going to have to look in different places to make sure I am running it right.

I think it would have been an improvement to have a single "saving throws" section with all the information, so when I have to roll a save I can see both the roll modifier and possible situational advantages in one place. This is actually something I have already taken care for characters (you can find my custom character sheets for download here) which are more important than monsters with regard to making sure they don't forget to use all their abilities.

OK, I understand what your saying. I don't agree with it, but I understand it, and understand how it could be useful. Just not what I want in my statblock.

PS - I did think that is what you intended, but I wasn't 100% sure so thank you for clarifying!

 

[Chaosmancer]

I am not sure what you mean, because I pretty much said that what I would prefer is NOT to separate the saves base bonuses (i.e. save proficiencies) from other saves modifiers (e.g. "magic resistance") and that both the 2014 and 2024 stat blocks DO require you to read two different places. These were not combined in the 2014 stat block and are still not combined in the 2024 stat block.

Originally you had to look in three places.

You needed to look at their ability scores
Unless they had proficient saves, then you needed to look at the saving throw line
Then you needed to look for things like Magic Resistance.

This new version combine the first two, if it isn't a proficient save, still got the ability score right there, if it is, the saving throw is in the same place. Yes, Magic Resistance is separate... but it kind of has to be. It is advantage in specific circumstances. You won't have it if you are saving against a cunning strike, for example. And you can't even indicate advantage with a symbol, because maybe they will have advantage against poison saves, but complete immunity to charm spells.

I can't think of a convenient way to combine all of that. Even putting it all in one place would likely require, at minimum, just making a big box containing all of the resistances, immunities, and all the saves listed separately, and that just isn't going to be as easily readable I think.

 

[Dausuul]

Originally you had to look in three places.

You needed to look at their ability scores
Unless they had proficient saves, then you needed to look at the saving throw line
Then you needed to look for things like Magic Resistance.

This new version combine the first two, if it isn't a proficient save, still got the ability score right there, if it is, the saving throw is in the same place. Yes, Magic Resistance is separate... but it kind of has to be. It is advantage in specific circumstances. You won't have it if you are saving against a cunning strike, for example. And you can't even indicate advantage with a symbol, because maybe they will have advantage against poison saves, but complete immunity to charm spells.

I can't think of a convenient way to combine all of that. Even putting it all in one place would likely require, at minimum, just making a big box containing all of the resistances, immunities, and all the saves listed separately, and that just isn't going to be as easily readable I think.

I would put an asterisk in each save box, and immediately under the stats I would put a line: "*Affected by Magic Resistance, immunities."

You still have to look up those features to see what they do, but the reminder is the most important thing for me. It's way too easy to forget to apply things like MR otherwise.

 

[Chaosmancer]

I would put an asterisk in each save box, and immediately under the stats I would put a line: "*Affected by Magic Resistance, immunities."

You still have to look up those features to see what they do, but the reminder is the most important thing for me. It's way too easy to forget to apply things like MR otherwise.

That could work