Why don't monsters have power sources?

[Memona]

The topic is odd to me. There is a variety of choices that could be made, as well as extra options. The only real reason that comes to head is that they don't have an idea of which power sources will be available later. They wanted to keep it open.

That being said, imagine if Power Sources were part of the monster stat block. There could be certain feats and powers that provide bonuses against certain types of power sources. I don't immunity would be the way to go. You have Arcane, which could have Dispel Magic. You could have Martial, which could counter other Martial attacks. Power Sources could act as a springboard for new mechanics and therefor, making a difference on mechanics instead of just being descriptors.

 

[Akaiku]

They have origins that generally map to power sources, shadowfell=shadow, immortal=divine and the like. Generally, i'm guessing that it wasn't actually important usually, as a good many monsters have power source 'inherent' in that their power is from themselfs. And people would feel a bit odd saying that a bear has a power source of martial.

 

[CapnZapp]

That's because some bears have a power source of ki.

 

[Kzach]

Because like most player-based information, it's totally irrelevant for a monster that is only there to die.

 

[deadsmurf]

Because like most player-based information, it's totally irrelevant for a monster that is only there to die.

I disagree.

What if You want to make a spellthief flavoured class, or like a Blue-mage that can steal arcane and divine abilities from monsters? Basically impossible now.


Actually, I don't think the MONSTERS should have power sources, but some of their POWERS should. It's much cooler when the Mindflayer's psychic attacks are definitely psionic. Or if the Gith Gish had actual arcane and martial attacks, and worked as such in say a Anti-magic zone.

I think it would open up a bit of extra design space, without adding a ton of extra rules, as it would continue just using the keyword rules.
The trick would be knowing how MUCH you should use it for player abilities so the DM isn't having to always double check on the power source of something to make sure things triggered right etc.

 

[Kzach]

What if You want to make a spellthief flavoured class, or like a Blue-mage that can steal arcane and divine abilities from monsters? Basically impossible now.

How is it impossible? Power source is little more than fluff.

Simply make up the power you want the monster to have and HEY PRESTO! it has it. Classes and power sources are irrelevant to monsters.

Actually, I don't think the MONSTERS should have power sources, but some of their POWERS should. It's much cooler when the Mindflayer's psychic attacks are definitely psionic. Or if the Gith Gish had actual arcane and martial attacks, and worked as such in say a Anti-magic zone.

Erm... so just give the attack a keyword. Really, on the difficulty scale, this is below a zero. I just don't see what the problem is here aside from, perhaps, your not quite understanding the monster creation rules.

I think it would open up a bit of extra design space, without adding a ton of extra rules, as it would continue just using the keyword rules.
The trick would be knowing how MUCH you should use it for player abilities so the DM isn't having to always double check on the power source of something to make sure things triggered right etc.

Wha?

 

[deadsmurf]

How is it impossible? Power source is little more than fluff.

Simply make up the power you want the monster to have and HEY PRESTO! it has it. Classes and power sources are irrelevant to monsters.


Erm... so just give the attack a keyword. Really, on the difficulty scale, this is below a zero. I just don't see what the problem is here aside from, perhaps, your not quite understanding the monster creation rules.


Wha?

Power source is only fluff if you only treat it as fluff, if things interact with it, it becomes more than that. If you think of the game magic the gathering, creatures all have creature types. Most of the time they could be a goblin or a kobold or a whoosiwhatsit and it doesn't matter one bit. Sometimes other game pieces count them, or can only target a goblin etc, and that makes them an important mechanical piece of the game.

I certainly know I can add power source keywords to monsters and powers if I feel like it. My point was it should have been done in the first place.

 

[Memona]

How is it impossible? Power source is little more than fluff.

I think you hit the nail on the head. I'm okay with a majority of classes having consistency between classes, but I do have a problem when they feel the same. Power Sources to me should make a wizard feel a little more like a wizard, and the Martial Source a little more like a Martial character.

Actually, I don't think the MONSTERS should have power sources, but some of their POWERS should. It's much cooler when the Mindflayer's psychic attacks are definitely psionic. Or if the Gith Gish had actual arcane and martial attacks, and worked as such in say a Anti-magic zone.

This is more or less what I was looking for. It can add a few more options in the battlefield other than simply the shape and form of the power.

I mean, Counterspell is a fantasy staple. I don't even see how it can produced under the current rules.

 

[the Jester]

I mean, Counterspell is a fantasy staple.

It is?

 

[Runestar]

The best counterspell is the one which kills the enemy mage dead before he can attack you.