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10 months ago ::
Aug 10, 2012 - 9:59AM
#11
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Date Joined:
May 24, 2012
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Good thinking.
Taking it further, and prolly past other's comforts zones, I would format the monster after the proposed PC format:
Class/Background/Theme(Specialty)
The monster classes could be:
Abberation
Animal
Construct
Dragon
Elemental
Fey
Giant
Humanoid
Magical Beast
Ooze
Outsider
Plant
Undead
Vermin
The backgrounds could be:
Predator
Omnivore
Megalomaniac
Priest of Yeenoghu
Packtrash
Packlord
Knight of Celeste
etc.
Themes could be monster only or borrowed from the PC creation list
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10 months ago ::
Aug 10, 2012 - 10:10AM
#12
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Date Joined:
Mar 26, 2004
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We've always played that the humanoid monsters can do anything that a PC can do. Mainly for the "leaders" of the monster groups we would stat them out as if they were a PC of whatever class was needed.
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10 months ago ::
Aug 10, 2012 - 12:42PM
#13
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Monster customization that is quick to apply? I can get behind this idea.
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10 months ago ::
Aug 10, 2012 - 12:47PM
#14
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Date Joined:
May 18, 2002
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Neat. Although, if Themes (or whatever the hell they're called now) are just feat-wrappers, why not just assign [Feat A] to [Monster 1] and skip the middle step entirely?
I wonder how badly doing so will foul the XP values, though.
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10 months ago ::
Aug 10, 2012 - 1:41PM
#15
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Date Joined:
Jul 30, 2012
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For instance, a Vampire theme would change the creature type to undead, as well as add the normal vampire traits and weaknesses. (Some restrictions would probably need to be placed on the more powerful Themes to prevent them from unbalancing the game if/when used on a player character.)
I also like the idea of race/monster-specific Themes in addition to the generic ones; it could potentially add a lot of flavor to the game!
Something like this might already exist in the game (at least on the player side anyway). I remember one interview or other (it's listed on the info page at ENworld) where the designers listed off some example themes, one of which was "Werewolf". I'm not sure if it was meant as a possible, theoretical example, or something that is actually being developed. Don't know how they plan on implementing it (if it would be similar to something like 4e's "Pack Outcast" or a 3e-era Template), but it could certainly be interesting.
"Utinam barbari spatium proprium tuum invadant!"
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10 months ago ::
Aug 10, 2012 - 2:28PM
#16
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Date Joined:
Jul 11, 2012
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Out of 5 PC themes we already have at least 3 (slayer, lurker, guardian) that could easily be lifted and slapped on pretty much any monster for extra variety. Lets just tell DMs they can use player themes on monsters, provide them with a few specific monster themes (corrupted, outcast, cursed, exploding, lightning enchanted etc.) and we are good to go.
In other words - I support this. I like clear cohesive systems without much redundancy.
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10 months ago ::
Aug 10, 2012 - 3:38PM
#17
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Date Joined:
Jun 16, 2007
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Yep. Themes doubling as monster templates would be a great idea. I'll probably do that regardless of what the designers decide. But this would save them a lot of time and effort. Kills, like, three birds with one stone.
I don't use emoticons, and I'm also pretty pleasant. So if I say something that's rude or insulting, it's probably a joke.
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10 months ago ::
Aug 11, 2012 - 9:44AM
#18
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Lots of good ideas being thrown around here! Hopefully we'll see something like this implemented in D&D Next! :-)
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10 months ago ::
Aug 11, 2012 - 1:36PM
#19
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Date Joined:
Jun 15, 2006
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Some monster themes would be better for special monster roles (soldier, controller, brute, lurker...) and useful for other ones.
Should monster classes be by type (fay, aberration, outsider, giant, magic beast, undead, construct) or role (lurker, brute, controller), or both?
"Say me what you're showing off for, and I'll say you what you lack!" (Spanish saying)
Book 13 Anaclet 23
Confucius said: "The Superior Man is in harmony but does not follow the crowd. The inferior man follows the crowd, but is not in harmony"
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10 months ago ::
Aug 11, 2012 - 3:30PM
#20
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Date Joined:
May 18, 2002
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Seems to be that a typical player finding a sword that has +4 against Controllers will have no idea what the hell he's supposed to do with it, other than unload it at Ye Olde Magick Marte as soon as possible.
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