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General Tabletop Discussion
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What monsters really know?
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<blockquote data-quote="KarinsDad" data-source="post: 4760975" data-attributes="member: 2011"><p>What's the "Name" of this PC?</p><p></p><p>His "class name"? His "actual name"?</p><p></p><p>Name is a monster trait. It's not a PC trait.</p><p></p><p>Powers are monster powers. It's not PC class powers.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>If you use Monster Knowledge checks to tell your players that the Human Mage specifically has Magic Missile, more power to you.</p><p></p><p>In the games I've been in, the DMs do not supply specific information like that because the PCs would not know the details.</p><p></p><p>Instead, they supply information like: "This human has a wand in his hand. It's likely that he uses arcane powers and will most likely blast the group in some way."</p><p></p><p>But, it could be a Human Warlock, a Human Wizard, or something else.</p><p></p><p>A specific creature like Orcus would give more detailed information because he is legendary.</p><p></p><p>But, Joe Grunt monster?</p><p></p><p>The PHB is purposely vague on this. The check gives information about powers, but the phrase is not that the powers are known. The phrase is: "gives you information about the creature's powers". Information, not exact knowledge.</p><p></p><p>The intent of this is to give players information about creatures such as a specific type of Undead draining healing surges, not to explain to the nth detail which powers the monster has and exactly how they work. Dragons have breath weapons and have bite attacks, claw attacks, and possibly some tail or wing attack. Some dragons are known for mesmerizing or even dominating creatures, or possibly burrowing into the ground.</p><p></p><p>Page 26 in the DMG indicates the reason for knowledge checks and what to do. The DM is supposed to give <strong>basic information</strong> to allow <strong>the players</strong> to make informed decisions. He is not supposed to make them omnipotent with monster checks.</p><p></p><p>It says nothing about allowing the monsters to make informed decisions. The game is played by players, not monsters. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /></p><p></p><p>If you give detailed information to the players and to the monsters in your game, that's fine. A bit excessive, but I don't play in your game, so shrug.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="KarinsDad, post: 4760975, member: 2011"] What's the "Name" of this PC? His "class name"? His "actual name"? Name is a monster trait. It's not a PC trait. Powers are monster powers. It's not PC class powers. If you use Monster Knowledge checks to tell your players that the Human Mage specifically has Magic Missile, more power to you. In the games I've been in, the DMs do not supply specific information like that because the PCs would not know the details. Instead, they supply information like: "This human has a wand in his hand. It's likely that he uses arcane powers and will most likely blast the group in some way." But, it could be a Human Warlock, a Human Wizard, or something else. A specific creature like Orcus would give more detailed information because he is legendary. But, Joe Grunt monster? The PHB is purposely vague on this. The check gives information about powers, but the phrase is not that the powers are known. The phrase is: "gives you information about the creature's powers". Information, not exact knowledge. The intent of this is to give players information about creatures such as a specific type of Undead draining healing surges, not to explain to the nth detail which powers the monster has and exactly how they work. Dragons have breath weapons and have bite attacks, claw attacks, and possibly some tail or wing attack. Some dragons are known for mesmerizing or even dominating creatures, or possibly burrowing into the ground. Page 26 in the DMG indicates the reason for knowledge checks and what to do. The DM is supposed to give [b]basic information[/b] to allow [b]the players[/b] to make informed decisions. He is not supposed to make them omnipotent with monster checks. It says nothing about allowing the monsters to make informed decisions. The game is played by players, not monsters. ;) If you give detailed information to the players and to the monsters in your game, that's fine. A bit excessive, but I don't play in your game, so shrug. [/QUOTE]
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