Please tell me how I am reading this wrong.

[Majoru Oakheart]

“Gotcha” rules are usually modifiers (often related to size class and the like) that are almost invariably forgotten or miscalculated. As we come to the end of 3rd edition, the sheer number of Gotchas out there is daunting.

This is the key portion, but what I get out of it is that the rules are complicated in that there are a lot of "fringe" rules that people forget to apply when advancing a monster, applying a template, adding a class or PrC, or just running the creature.

Did you remember when the monster increased in size that it now gets pluses to disarming for its weapon being larger, pluses to grapple as a size modifier, that it's ac goes down due to size, that it gets bonuses against certain types of creatures due to levels in Occult Slayer, pluses to hit orcs and goblins due to it being a dwarf, pluses against spells due to being a dwarf, did you increase the damage on his weapon due to size correctly, did you remember you apply the Dodge feat this turn, etc?

These, I believe, are what they refer to as "gotcha" rules. They tend to be rules that are used only in specific circumstances, so you need to remember the circumstances in which to apply them. Since you don't use them all the time and there are just SO many of them, people forget them.

So, what he's saying about 4th ed is that he likes it because there is some science behind the creation of creatures but enough wiggle room to just change things how you want them to be changed without having a bunch of "Gotcha" rules that you may have forgotten.

I interpret it to mean that you can create a creature who is Colossal who has X pluses to hit and x damage and x saving throws without having to worry if you did all the size modifiers correctly. You are given the freedom to make what you want without remembering a bunch of rules to do it. And no one can tell you you made a mistake, since there's no way for someone to sit down and say "This is EXACTLY what bonuses this creature is supposed to have".

 

[Woas]

"As we come to the end of 3rd edition,"

WHAT?! They announced a new edition?! I think I'm reading that 4e is finally announced!

 

[theredrobedwizard]

"As we come to the end of 3rd edition,"

WHAT?! They announced a new edition?! I think I'm reading that 4e is finally announced!

I hope this is sarcasm, my friend. If not, welcome out from under the rock.

-TRRW

 

[Khaalis]

On a side note, from the comments made to date, I get the impression that monsters will be built very similar to characters. Each monster has a "role" just like the player classes do (like Brute for example). I think the base Role will determine the core basic stats such as HP, BAB, AC, etc. From there, I get the impression that the monsters will be further defined by their own Talent Trees defined for their given role and unique to each monster type. In this way it is very simple to differentiate monsters, create new "templates" for existing monsters, etc. without changing the basic core math of the creature.

 

[Glyfair]

This is the key portion, but what I get out of it is that the rules are complicated in that there are a lot of "fringe" rules that people forget to apply when advancing a monster, applying a template, adding a class or PrC, or just running the creature.

I think it's just creating statblocks. For example, did you remember that Uncanny Dodge means that you do get your Dex bonus to AC when flatfooted when you did the statblock? Did you remember that you never lose a Dex penalty when flat footed? Did you remember to adjust all the numbers on the statblock in the last version when you added the gauntlets of ogre power? Did you apply the rules for damage & two-handed weapons correctly & adjust correctly for the standard power attack choice listed in combat tactics?

There is one advancement chart for...

I don't think there are going to be "advancement charts" per se. There will be design charts. Skirmishers of this level will have attack bonuses in this range, damage in this range, etc. It will be more about choosing numbers and less about adjusting numbers.

 

[Xyl]

On a side note, from the comments made to date, I get the impression that monsters will be built very similar to characters. Each monster has a "role" just like the player classes do (like Brute for example). I think the base Role will determine the core basic stats such as HP, BAB, AC, etc.

Monsters will not be built like characters, they've been very clear on that. Progression charts for each role will probably exist as an aid to monster designers, but they will give guidelines, not hard numbers. There won't be a formula of the "Look up the stats for the appropriate level on chart 4, then select two talents from table 5B..." variety.

I think it's just creating statblocks. For example, did you remember that Uncanny Dodge means that you do get your Dex bonus to AC when flatfooted when you did the statblock? Did you remember that you never lose a Dex penalty when flat footed? Did you remember to adjust all the numbers on the statblock in the last version when you added the gauntlets of ogre power? Did you apply the rules for damage & two-handed weapons correctly & adjust correctly for the standard power attack choice listed in combat tactics?

I don't think there are going to be "advancement charts" per se. There will be design charts. Skirmishers of this level will have attack bonuses in this range, damage in this range, etc. It will be more about choosing numbers and less about adjusting numbers.

I'm Xylthixlm, and I endorse this product and/or service.

 

[Victim]

I think it's just creating statblocks. For example, did you remember that Uncanny Dodge means that you do get your Dex bonus to AC when flatfooted when you did the statblock?

And yet you still need the flat footed AC stat in case of feinting and other measures that bypass Uncanny Dodge and deny dex.

 

[Glyfair]

And yet you still need the flat footed AC stat in case of feinting and other measures that bypass Uncanny Dodge and deny dex.

But that's not a function of being flatfooted, that's a function of being denied a Dex bonus to AC. There isn't an entry for "denied Dex Bonus to AC."

 

[Tharen the Damned]

I hope this article is about how to make statblocks easy to read and design and not the try to wriggle out of responsiblity for the crappy stat blocks with hundreds of errors in the WoC Books.

 

[Majoru Oakheart]

I hope this article is about how to make statblocks easy to read and design and not the try to wriggle out of responsiblity for the crappy stat blocks with hundreds of errors in the WoC Books.

It isn't about either. It's about making monsters less of an exact science so they are easier to design. There ARE mistakes because of how hard it is to remember all of the rules for monster creation in 3rd Ed. Eventually one author or another is bound to forget one or two.

If you remove all the rules, then you can't be wrong. I don't think they are saying they aren't responsible for the mistakes they've made, but that there is a reason it happens and it is the method in which monsters are designed.