Stat Blocks and Modern

[FraserRonald]

Hi All

Well, we got our first review, over at Silven Crossroads. Not the best, but I appreciate Nick Mulherin’s efforts in getting the review out so quickly. He brings up some really good points, and I appreciate that.

One of the things Mr. Mulherin pointed out was the stat blocks both in the text and at the end of the adventure, which he considered redundant. I actually got this idea from EN World. In a discussion of how people like adventures written, someone mentioned having abbreviated stat blocks in the text and then have a full outline at the end. Perhaps this isn’t as good an idea as I thought. What does everyone here think? Any comments?

Also, I was wondering if there is a standard stat block design. For Modern, I’ve seen a variety of different stat blocks. I was trying to build ones using the WotC stat blocks that I had seen as a guide. Is there such a thing as a "standard" stat block for Modern and if so, where can I get more information about it?

BTW, if Mr. Mulherin is reading this, thanks for all your constructive criticism.

Take care all.

 

[Garnfellow]

I was wondering if there is a standard stat block design. For Modern, I’ve seen a variety of different stat blocks. I was trying to build ones using the WotC stat blocks that I had seen as a guide. Is there such a thing as a "standard" stat block for Modern and if so, where can I get more information about it?

The closest I've seen to a standard is detailed in an online article by the Game Mechanics on creating Modern NPC statblocks:

http://www.thegamemechanics.com/freebies/CreatingModernNPCs.asp

While one might quibble with a few particulars of their format (wouldn't it be better to have skills and feats on different lines?), I find their method of filling it out very helpful.

 

[Turanil]

One of the things Mr. Mulherin pointed out was the stat blocks both in the text and at the end of the adventure, which he considered redundant. I actually got this idea from EN World. In a discussion of how people like adventures written, someone mentioned having abbreviated stat blocks in the text and then have a full outline at the end. Perhaps this isn’t as good an idea as I thought. What does everyone here think? Any comments?

As far as I am concerned I do like the idea to have a very short stat-block with but the most essential info in the adventure text, then have the fully developped stat-block at the end of the adventure in an appendix.

Biff Hardslab: male human Strong hero 3/Tough hero 3; CR 6; medium humanoid; HD 3d8+9 plus 3d10+9; hp 43; Mas 19; Init +1 (+1 Dex); Spd 30 ft.; Def 16, touch 15, flat-footed 15 (+1 leather jacket, +1 Dex, +2 Strong, +2 Tough); BAB +5 (+3 Strong, +2 Tough); Grp +7; Atk +7 melee (1d4+2/19-20, unarmed strike) (+5 BAB, +2 Str) or +7 melee (1d6+2/19-20, metal baton), or +6 ranged (2d6+1, mastercraft Colt M1911) (+5 BAB, +1 Dex), or +6 ranged (2d8, sawed-off shotgun), or +6 ranged (2d10, Browning BPS); Full Atk: +7 melee (1d4+2/19-20, unarmed strike) (+5 BAB, +2 Str) or +7 melee (1d6+2/19-20, metal baton), or +6 ranged (2d6+1, mastercraft Colt M1911) (+5 BAB, +1 Dex), or +6 ranged (2d8, sawed-off shotgun), or +6 ranged (2d10, Browning BPS); Space/Reach 5 ft./5 ft.; SA special attacks; SQ special qualities; AL None; AP 3; Rep +1 (+0 Strong, +1 Tough); SV Fort +7, Ref +3, Will +2 (Strong F+2, R+1, W+1; Tough F+2, R+1, W+1; Con +3, Dex +1, Wis -1); Str 14, Dex 13, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 12.

Although it is the recognized standard format for stat-blocks, I find this way of putting everything together painful to read. When having to take care of several NPCs during an encounter (while a bunch of PCs interact with them), I don't have the time to peruse a whole bag of abreviated words and numbers for each NPC, to find the info I need, repeating the process rounds after rounds.

I don't know what others think about it. Maybe my brain is slow and my mind is dull, and most people find them extremely easy to use? But I nonetheless do prefer the kind of "houseruled" stat-block I use myself for NPCs (see in the sig link for examples).

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

This is the way I like it

Biff Hardslab (male human Strong hero 3/Tough hero 3): CR 6; medium humanoid; HD 3d8+9 plus 3d10+9; hp 43; Mas 19; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; Def 16 (+1 leather jacket, +1 Dex, +4 class); BAB +5; Grp +7; Atk unarmed strike +7 melee (1d4+2/19-20), or metal baton +7 melee (1d6+2/19-20) or mc (+1 dmg) Colt M1911 [11 mm pistol] +6 ranged (2d6+1) or [you get the idea]; S/R 5 ft./5 ft.; AL none; SV Fort +7, Ref +2, Will +2; AP 3; Rep +1; Str 14, Dex 13, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 12.

Occupation (include names of skills and feats)
Skills (in alphabetical order)
Feats (in alphabetical order)
Talents (Strong Hero)
Talents (Tough Hero)

Biggest changes - removed a lot of the math. The BAB is already listed once, it doesn't need to be listed in every attack. Init doesn't need to explain how it got there, that should be pretty obvious. Defense doesn't need the flat-footed/touch designation, but if you want to do that please put the "whole" number first. That's the number you use the most.

For attacks it isn't necessary to have an "atk" line just use the "full attack" line. Not that it made a difference for Biff here. I put the name of the attack before the attack bonus and damage (in that order) to avoid confusion.

Talent lines should be split up.

And lastly, the order of the stats is in the correct order. I'm often seeing weird stat blocks like Str Dex Int Wis Con Cha or Str Dex Con Wis Int Cha. Huh? Why?

Most of the characters I use go on 4 x 6 index cards, since it's hard to look at several different things in the adventure at the same time. That also makes them easier to reuse.

 

[Flynn]

I would also recommend using the D20 Standard Statblock style guide as a guide to develop your own:
http://d20statblock.thyle.net/standard/styleguide.html

Just a thought,
Flynn

 

[kingpaul]

Below is how RPG Object's Modern Character Generator does the stat blocks.

Strong Hero 10/Fast Hero 10 CR 20; Medium-size humanoid; HD 10d8+10 plus 10d8+10; HP 110; Mas 13; Init +2; Spd 30 ft; Defense 25, touch 25, flatfooted 23 (+0 size, +2 Dex, +13 class); BAB +17; Grap +21; Atk +19 melee (1d6+5, weapon), or +19 ranged (1d6+0, weapon); FS 5 ft by 5 ft; Reach 5 ft; SQ ; AL ; SV Fort +9, Ref +10, Will +6; AP 10; Rep +8; Str 15, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 8.
Occupation: Athlete (Climb, Jump, Swim)
Skills: Balance +7, Climb +14, Concentration +3, Craft (mechanical) +5, Craft (structural) +4, Decipher Script +3, Drive +7, Escape Artist +7, Gamble +2, Handle Animal +3, Hide +4, Intimidate +1, Jump +12, Knowledge (Current Events) +11, Knowledge (Popular Culture) +4, Knowledge (Streetwise) +6, Knowledge (Tactics) +9, Move Silently +4, Pilot +4, Profession +7, Read/Write Language +6, Repair +2, Research +3, Ride +7, Sleight of Hand +5, Speak Language +11, Swim +9, Tumble +4
Feats: Acrobatic, Athletic, Blind-Fight, Brawl, Combat Martial Arts, Combat Throw, Confident, Defensive Martial Arts, Focused, Improved Brawl, Mounted Combat, Personal Firearms Proficiency, Point Blank Shot, Power Attack, Renown, Studious, Track, Trample, Weapon Focus
Talents (Strong Hero): Melee Smash, Extreme Effort, Improved Melee Smash, Advanced Melee Smash, Ignore Hardness
Talents (Fast Hero): Evasion, Opportunist, Uncanny Dodge 1, Defensive Roll, Uncanny Dodge 2
Possessions: Wealth +6

 

[jezter6]

I am attempting to write a nifty little program to catalogue and sort statblocks of PCs or NPC's for a nifty little GM tool, and I've noticed that almost no 2 people write blocks the same, which makes it a royal pain to parse.

I really wish people would get a difinitive standard, but since d20 is so open and anyone can publish anything, every publisher will have their own way of doing it.

 

[PosterBoy]

I am attempting to write a nifty little program to catalogue and sort statblocks of PCs or NPC's for a nifty little GM tool, and I've noticed that almost no 2 people write blocks the same, which makes it a royal pain to parse.

I really wish people would get a difinitive standard, but since d20 is so open and anyone can publish anything, every publisher will have their own way of doing it.

We try pretty hard to follow WOTC, but they have change their format in subtle ways in pretty much every modern book (d20 modern, Urban Arcana, Menace Manual).

You need to do the Full Atk section based on Atk section, but other than that, our blocks from the modern generator are pretty close to the standard set in Menace Manual. And one we plan to stick with that format for consistently in the future.

 

[FraserRonald]

Hey All

Thanks everyone for the input. I actually used the Modern Character Generator for our first web enchancement, called "Scaled Down" which provides toned-down NPCs for lower level games. I have to say, it was a lot of fun to use.

I think the Game Mechanics block and instructions are great. Very useful.

I had found that D20 Standard Statblock site when I was researching NPC stat blocks, and at that time, the index led to a bunch of dead links. I guess it's back up and running. Excellent. I'll have to check it out.

I did notice, like jezter6, the fair number of stat blocks out there. I wanted to stick as close to WotC as possible, just because they are pretty much the "official" source.

One thing is for sure, I'll be a heck of a lot more careful with my stat blocks next time. And for "Raid on Ashkashem", I see errata in the near future.

Thanks everyone. Take care.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

I just downloaded the lower-level stat blocks.

Isn't there supposed to be a Fast bad guy? Other than that, looks cool.

Minor quibbles: Abu should replace DR 2/- with another talent (doesn't meet the requirements), and the CR for the Tough bad buy should be 1.