D&D General Players: Do You Care From Whence Your DM Gets His Monsters/Challenges?

[Reynard]

Yes, because I know many 3PP creatures and such are not well-balanced to the game IME.

Do you think that official monsters are better balanced? I don't think that is a universal truth.

Also because I see most D&D settings as fairly unified. I know (for the most part) what to expect and look forward to it. If a DM commonly uses creatures they made up or from 3PP then it breaks immersion for me--I suddenly find myself in a world I don't recognize even though my PC should in general.

Should your PC know things about monsters they have not encountered yet beyond (probably wrong) rumors and legends?

 

[Li Shenron]

do you care about where your DM is getting their monsters and stuff?

nope

do you expect or desire your DM to use official monsters?

nope

Do you have concerns if they are using 3rd party monster books?

nope

Homebrewing monsters?

nope

Does it matter if they are using Grimtooth's traps or similar?

nope

If so, why?

nope

...sorry, got carried away. I meant, when I am a player I am open to whatever our DM wants to use. I'd rather judge the results than the sources.

 

[Black Dougal]

I prefer 3rd party monsters. I've been playing since 81 and find 3rd party monsters add tension and mystery for me. Trying to roleplay when you know almost every creature becomes stale, at least for me. I also prefer 3rd party when I DM on the monster side for the same reasons. Of course, I don't remove the standard faire. Orcs, goblins, Gnolls, etc. have their places.

Do you think that official monsters are better balanced? I don't think that is a universal truth.

I agree with you here. I also think in many cases 3rd parties do a better job. Balance is tough and in my mind is always going to be wonky, it's just the nature of the game. But once you start dissecting how to create creature monsters and encounters some of the extremely bad design shines. For me where WotC stands out is the brand, their design is pretty meh and not all that innovative which is fine, to each their own.

 

[ezo]

Do you think that official monsters are better balanced? I don't think that is a universal truth.

In general, at least the ones I use, yes. The only shortcoming IME is when a used as a solo encoutner, since PCs cause so much damage.

Should your PC know things about monsters they have not encountered yet beyond (probably wrong) rumors and legends?

Maybe, it depends on the PC and what knowledge (Arcana, Nature, etc.) skills they have, their background and race, etc. Even what they know (wrong or right) via rumors and legends is variable depending on the PC and setting/DM.

But, that isn't what I am talking about. I am talking about what I know for D&D and what creatures make it "D&Dish".

 

[Reynard]

In general, at least the ones I use, yes. The only shortcoming IME is when a used as a solo encoutner, since PCs cause so much damage.


Maybe, it depends on the PC and what knowledge (Arcana, Nature, etc.) skills they have, their background and race, etc. Even what they know (wrong or right) via rumors and legends is variable depending on the PC and setting/DM.

But, that isn't what I am talking about. I am talking about what I know for D&D and what creatures make it "D&Dish".

I still occasionally toy with the idea of running a D&D campaign without using the regular MM at all -- or any "D&D monster." I like the idea of a world in which monsters truly are unknown and the players as well as their PCs have no idea what they are up against.

 

[Black Dougal]

I still occasionally toy with the idea of running a D&D campaign without using the regular MM at all -- or any "D&D monster." I like the idea of a world in which monsters truly are unknown and the players as well as their PCs have no idea what they are up against.

I've done this quite a few times. We ran one campaign inspired by the Color Out of Space. To be fair there were still some MM monsters. Orcs, goblins, etc. But they helped with pushing the alien/aberration vibe IMO. Once the "meteors" hit the realms it helped create some moral decisions. Do the PCs align with a tribe of orcs to fight off these alien aberrant beings? etc etc

That being said I am more of a exploration and discovery minded player and DM. I feel many 3rd party products allow for that discovery aspect. I feel that pillar of play has been somewhat lost in more modern editions of D&D and many 3rd parties do that pillar well, including with monsters.

 

[ezo]

I still occasionally toy with the idea of running a D&D campaign without using the regular MM at all -- or any "D&D monster." I like the idea of a world in which monsters truly are unknown and the players as well as their PCs have no idea what they are up against.

While I can understand that, I would have to caution how it is done considering a player such as myself.

Why are the monsters "truly unknown"? Has no one ever encountered them? Is there no lore? What sorts of creatures are there that people in that world do know of?

Something like a world which is "normal D&Dish" but some portals open or aliens invade, etc. which brings completely new and foreign creatures to the world might work. Then the players (and their PCS) learn about these creatures as they are encountered, but word would spread of others who encountered different "alien" creatures, and rumors as well as truth could abound about them as well.

But, unless it is done will, it would feel completely disconnected to me as a player. There would have to be a reason why every creature is alien to the PCs (such as the PCs transported to an alien world, which is the same idea just the other direction).

 

[Tonguez]

what creatures make it "D&Dish".

I’m genuinely intrigued now - in a game that runs from rats in the basement to dryads in the woods to gothic vampires to Mimics to Spawn of the Elder gods, what creatures make it "D&Dish"?

 

[Reynard]

While I can understand that, I would have to caution how it is done considering a player such as myself.

Why are the monsters "truly unknown"? Has no one ever encountered them? Is there no lore? What sorts of creatures are there that people in that world do know of?

Something like a world which is "normal D&Dish" but some portals open or aliens invade, etc. which brings completely new and foreign creatures to the world might work. Then the players (and their PCS) learn about these creatures as they are encountered, but word would spread of others who encountered different "alien" creatures, and rumors as well as truth could abound about them as well.

But, unless it is done will, it would feel completely disconnected to me as a player. There would have to be a reason why every creature is alien to the PCs (such as the PCs transported to an alien world, which is the same idea just the other direction).

If the world itself seems sane and mundane and normal, monsters only exist in the dark corners -- the exact places where the insane, arcane and esoteric PCs are constantly poking their heads.

 

[Reynard]

I’m genuinely intrigued now - in a game that runs from rats in the basement to dryads in the woods to gothic vampires to Mimics to Spawn of the Elder gods, what creatures make it "D&Dish"?

To me, D&D is about what the characters DO, not what list of creatures inhabit the world. The right Gamma World game is more D&D than the wrong Forgotten Realm campaign.