Gentlegamer said:
Does this mean the standard hit die for monsters was to be increased from d8 to d12, or only for certain monsters that fall into the "large and vigorous" category?
Rolled on a d6? This sounds similar to the starting hit die for barbarians as originally presented in Dragon.
Actually I planned to go through the monsters' roster and re-assign HD types--d4, d6, d8, d10, and d12. While doind that in regards to the HPs of each type, the monsters' chance to hit based on number of HD would not be affected.
As too often "weak" monsters were randolly generated, I also planned to have robust adults possess HP totals of something over 50% of the possible maximum by using a HP generation system such as 3-4, 4-6, 6-10, 7-12 using the appropriate die to determine the actual number generated--d2, d3, d5, d6. Non-robust--immature, old, sick, injured, or even non-physicaly active sorts such as spell caster--monsters would have the obverse HP range using the same type of die without addition.
Was the determination of such a damage bonus dependant on the monster's assumed Strength score or just on the fact that monster was large and presumably strong? Would this damage bonus apply to natural attacks as well as those attacking with weapons?
It's always great to get some insight into the "lost" 2nd edition AD&D! Thanks!
As a ganeral rule I used HD = additional damage, half HD for the non-robust individuals. So an ogre would be 4d12 + 1 HPs, with damage as +4 or +2.
A 1st level m-u with a Sleep spell could still count on taking out the orge.
Cheers,
Gary