Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Reynard" data-source="post: 9552557" data-attributes="member: 467">This is an idea I have been thinking about for a while: incorporating Dragonbane's monster rules into 5E. I finally decided to try it out. I look forward to your thoughts.----------“Dragonbane” Style Monsters in D&D 5E 2024The purpose of this draft is to explore incorporating the “monster” system from Dragonbane into D&D 5E 2024. In Dragonbane, “monsters” (such as dragons) do not operate under the same combat rules as player characters or other NPCs. They do not “make attacks” but rather oll on a table to determine what they do on their turn, often causing damage and effects without any sort of “to hit” roll (but PCs have the option to make dodge and occasionally parry checks to avoid the effects).This is obviously a change from how D&D 5E conducts combat, which is exactly why I am interested in exploring it.Note that the monster I used is the Ancient Green Dragon as presented in a preview page image from the upcoming 2024 Monster manual. I extracted the text from that image using a LLM AI.In order to incorporate the Dragonbane monster rules into 5E, the following additions and adjustments to stats must be considered:Ferocity, in Dragonbane, determines the number of times a monster gets to act in a combat round. In Dragonbane, this is represented by the number of initiative cards that the dragon draws at the start of the round. In 5E, if a creature gets multiple actions, they happen on its turn.    For this exercise, I suggest the following: the dragon rolls a separate initiative check equal to its Ferocity and acts on each of those results.Attacks and Saving throws are not really a part of monster attacks in Dragonbane, aside from the previously mentioned dodge or parry (which uses the PC’s action). Monster actions just work. I think this is a good thing to incorporate into 5E, especially for boss monsters, because, to be frank, boss monsters whiffing is anticlimactic and no fun.    Therefore, the effects of the action rolled on the chart happen as described UNLESS the PC uses their reaction (assuming they still have it) to attempt to avoid it. “Avoid” provides the ability saving throw DC if (and ONLY if) the PC uses their reaction.ANCIENT GREEN DRAGONAncient green dragons are creatures of legend, rarely seen by their servants or foes. Via magic and well-hidden agents, these dragons stoke suspicion between allies and undermine noble works. As bonds fray, the dragons reap rewards of greater wealth and control. Eventually, the ambitions of ancient green dragons stretch beyond their territories as they seek control over empires, planar realms, or death itself.ANCIENT GREEN DRAGONGargantuan DragonoidFerocity 3AC 21 HP 402 (23d10 + 161) Speed 40 ft., fly 50 ft., swim 40 ft.STR 27 (+8) DEX 12 (+1) CON 25 (+7) INT 20 (+5) WIS 17 (+3) CHA 22 (+6)Skills Perception +17, Persuasion +13, Stealth +6 Senses Blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 27 Languages Common, Draconic CR 22 (XP 41,000 or 50,000 in lair)TRAITS<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Amphibious. The dragon can breathe air and water.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Battle Ready. The dragon has advantage on its first initiative roll initiative roll. The other 2 initiative rolls are made normally.</li> </ul>ACTIONS (Roll 1d6)1-2. Rend: the dragon targets one combatant and does 2d8+8 slashing damage as well as 3d6 poison damage. Avoid: Dex 253. Roar: every creature within a 50’ radius (other than the dragon’s thralls) is frightened for 1 minute. Avoid: Wis 214. Wing Buffet: all creatures within 15 feet of the dragon take 3d6+8 bludgeoning damage. Large or smaller creatures are pushed (1d4+1)x5 feet away from the dragon. Avoid: Str 215. Draconic Mastery: the dragon casts Charm Monster on a target (no save). Avoid: Wis 21.6. Poison breath: the dragon blasts corrosive poison in a 90 foot cone, causing 22d6 poison damage. Avoid: Con 22.REACTIONSThe Ferocity system alleviates the need for most monster reactions. The dragon only has 1 reaction, per normal, and can use it to Rend as above as an attack of opportunity.</blockquote>

Verification