Question about defenses

[avin]

DMG page 184 says about "other defenses" it's 12 + monster's level. Every 2 points adjusted by +1 or -1.

I think I don't get it...

Let's take the level 2 Elf Scout (page 106 MM), which Dex is 18.

Why his Ref is 15? Shouldn't it be:
12 + 2 (level) + 2 (two points above 14) = 16?

Why his Fortitude is 13 and his Will is 13?

I'm trying to understand how it works and design my own monsters but I'm stucked at it.

 

[avin]

Bump for help

 

[Engilbrand]

I don't have my books handy. Honestly, I would just remind you that they're only rough guides. Things should be around that number.
Here's where the 15 probably comes from:
10 + 4 (Dex) + 1 (half level) = 15
Are his Con and Wis both 14 or 15? That would answer those.
Basically, they give you a rough area that will NOT necessarily make sense mathematically if you compare all of the stats like you would a PC. Why? Because monsters aren't meant to always work like PCs.

I would also recommend using a higher level monster to really figure out how they did it and check their math.

 

[Grazzt]

I don't have my books handy. Honestly, I would just remind you that they're only rough guides. Things should be around that number.
Here's where the 15 probably comes from:
10 + 4 (Dex) + 1 (half level) = 15
Are his Con and Wis both 14 or 15? That would answer those.

Your first sentence has it correct. The numbers are just a rough guide. DM, designer, whatever can tweak above or below those numbers as desired. Very few monsters in the MM I've encountered thus far adhere strictly to the formula in the DMG (which is a good thing IMHO; no more straight-jacketed monster formulas as in 3.x)

 

[avin]

Should I stick to DMG formula and spice it a bit? I don't remember reading a reference do 1/2 level for defenses...

 

[Turtlejay]

That seems wrong. Surely the DMG should say 1/2 its level?

Jay

 

[avin]

That seems wrong. Surely the DMG should say 1/2 its level?

Jay

It says 1/2 levels for determining Ability Scores, not defenses.