Ratskinner
Adventurer
Well, um.... so I read the article, then read the responses here...
Re-read the article to find the things that people were freaking out about...and didn't find them....
AFAICT, this article says basically nothing of any import. The designers are aware that different DMs approach monster placement/encounter design differently, depending on their GNS stylistic preferences.....and they want to account for that in D&DN.
Whoopity-do.
I'm glad they are at least thinking about it, but its not like this article laid out exactly how they are planning to satisfy all parties. It hinted at an idea that I kinda like, but I want to use before deciding absolutely. That idea being that the MM separate the mechanics and story a bit in presentation. So this bit is what defines and Ogre, but then you combine it with this bit to make a brute/controller/soldier/whatever. Kinda like a monster's species\race is its class and its 4e role is a theme-like thing that you can bolt on to tweak it. However, that was only hinted at...could be an unwarranted inference on my part. I'm not sure if I like it because that could mean a lot of extra work (or not, who can really say.)
Re-read the article to find the things that people were freaking out about...and didn't find them....
AFAICT, this article says basically nothing of any import. The designers are aware that different DMs approach monster placement/encounter design differently, depending on their GNS stylistic preferences.....and they want to account for that in D&DN.
Whoopity-do.

I'm glad they are at least thinking about it, but its not like this article laid out exactly how they are planning to satisfy all parties. It hinted at an idea that I kinda like, but I want to use before deciding absolutely. That idea being that the MM separate the mechanics and story a bit in presentation. So this bit is what defines and Ogre, but then you combine it with this bit to make a brute/controller/soldier/whatever. Kinda like a monster's species\race is its class and its 4e role is a theme-like thing that you can bolt on to tweak it. However, that was only hinted at...could be an unwarranted inference on my part. I'm not sure if I like it because that could mean a lot of extra work (or not, who can really say.)