Running DDM Stat card monsters

[arscott]

A lot of the monster stats floating around on the internet are from the DDM statcards--Older versions that don't necessarily have the right numbers in the right places.

When I ran a 4e combat featuring the Young White Dragon (a stat-card monster), it wasn't very fun--The players kept missing the dragon, and the dragon kept missing the players

What sort of tweaks should I make so that the Dragon (and other stat-card monsters) run better?

Statblock from DDM Card:
[SBLOCK]Young White Dragon Level 3 Brute (Solo)
Large natural magical beast (cold, dragon) XP 750

Initiative +1 Senses Perception +7; darkvision
HP 180; Bloodied 90
AC 20; Fortitude 12, Reflex 18; Will 19
Resist 15 cold
Save +5
Speed 6, fly 6 (hv), overland 10, ice walk
Action Points 2

Bite (standard; at-will) • Cold
Reach 2, +6 vs. AC; 1d8+4+1d6 cold. See coldsnap.

Claw (standard; at-will)
Reach 2, +6 vs. AC; 1d8+4

Double Attack • Cold
2 claw attacks. If hits M or smaller creature with both, free bite attack against same creature

Breath Weapon (standard, recharge ) • Cold
Close blast 5; +4 vs. Reflex; 3d6+4 cold damage, and slowed and weakened (save ends both).

Bloodied Breath (immediate reaction, when first bloodied; encounter) • Cold
The dragon’s breath weapon recharges automatically, and the dragon uses it immediately.

Frightful Presence(standard; encounter) • Fear Close burst 5; targets enemies; +4 vs. Will; the target is stunned until the end of the dragons’ next turn. Aftereffect: The target takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls (save ends)

Coldsnap Opp attack that hits deals +1d6 cold.

Alignment Evil Languages Draconic
Skills Athletics +15
Str 18 (+5) Dex 10 (+1) Wis 12 (+2)
Con 18 (+5) Int 10 (+1) Cha 8 (+0) [/SBLOCK]

I'm thinking maybe +2 to all attacks, -2 to AC, Ref, and Will. What about you folks?

 

[LFK]

I'm thinking maybe +2 to all attacks, -2 to AC, Ref, and Will. What about you folks?

Sounds about right. Level 3 PCs would have between +5 and +8 to hit, so a 17-18 AC sounds right. It'll still be on the higher side for level 1s, but all around less frustrating.