Tryin' out the new stat block

[the Jester]

So I've been trying out the new stat block format today and I have to say, I like it! It's very clean, very easy to use, and it seems to shift info into the most functional place in the block.

Who else has made the switch? Do you like the new block? Hate it? Why?

Who has used it in a game already? Did it make running encounters easier? Harder?

Let's hear it!

 

[Garnfellow]

So I've been trying out the new stat block format today and I have to say, I like it! It's very clean, very easy to use, and it seems to shift info into the most functional place in the block.

Who else has made the switch? Do you like the new block? Hate it? Why?

Who has used it in a game already? Did it make running encounters easier? Harder?

Let's hear it!

I've been using it, and loving it. Much easier to use in game. In fact, I found switching back to the older format a major downgrade.

 

[IronWolf]

I haven't used it in a game yet, but I sure do like the looks of it. It just looks easier to read and should make it much quicker to pick out the information I need in the middle of a game.

 

[Corsair]

I don't have any of the newest books. Can you show a normal SRD monster in "new stat block" format?

 

[colonelthread]

Used it last week, and love it. I always found myself either underlining, or writing in the right-hand margin, the AC, hitpoints, initative bonus, attack bonuses and damage, and special attacks needed to smoothly run the encounter. Now they're easy to find!

 

[the Jester]

I don't have any of the newest books. Can you show a normal SRD monster in "new stat block" format?

As far as I know it's only shown in the DMG2 so far (and the new issue of Dungeon).

It isn't a new stat block for MM style presentation, it's more for complex npcs, advanced critters, etc.

Here's the 'enforcer' I statted up. Of course, the formatting is a lil off, but hey. It's hard to get the underlines right...


ENFORCER----CR 5
Human fighter 3/rogue 2
LE medium humanoid
Init +6; Senses Listen +7, Spot +7
Languages: Strogassian, Elven
AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13
hp 38 (5 HD)
Resist Evasion
Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +1
Speed 30’
Melee Masterwork greatsword +7 (2d6+4/19-20); or dagger +7 (1d4+3/19-20)
Ranged Masterwork mighty composite longbow +6 (1d8+3/x3)
Base Atk +4; Grp +6
Atk Options Cleave, Combat Expertise, Improved Disarm, Improved Initiative, Power Attack, sneak attack +1d6
Combat Gear potion of bull’s strength, potion of cat’s grace, potion of cure moderate wounds (2), dust of disappearance (3)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 13, Wis 10, Cha 10
SQ trap sense +1, trapfinding
Feats Cleave, Combat Expertise, Improved Disarm, Improved Initiative, Power Attack
Skills Balance +7, Climb +11, Intimidate +8, Knowledge (local) +6, Listen +7, Search +6, Sense Motive +5, Spot +7, Tumble +7, Use Rope +7
Possessions combat gear plus masterwork studded leather armor, masterwork greatsword, adamantine dagger, cold iron dagger, silver dagger, masterwork mighty (+3) composite longbow, 30 arrows, 10 adamantine arrows, 10 cold iron arrows, 10 silver arrows, purse of 58 pp, 12 gp, 3 sp, 11 cp

 

[Agamon]

I don't use statblocks much anymore using DMF during games, but I do like the look of it, and am glad for the change, especially in Dungeon mag adventures.

 

[Berandor]

I changed my statblock form to the new format, with a few differences. I have Speed in the first part of the block, since we don't use grids so it's not such a combat-important information. I put Reach above Melee Attack so I don't miss a long reach. I also note abilities only by modifier, and I only list important skills and feats, not all of them (Dungeon needs to list all, I don't ). Finally, I put a space next to hit points where I note DR, and a space next to saves where I note SR.

I haven't seen them in play, but they look a lot cleaner now.

 

[Ruavel]

I love the new look, and will be trialing it this Friday night...



fingers crossed that it works...

 

[MerricB]

The first use of the stat block is actually in the Mark of Heroes RPGA adventure, "Reflections of the Multiverse".

Cheers!