D&D 4th Edition: Monster Manual
Jul. 16th, 2008 04:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
The third book in the 4th Edition core rules. Let's take a look
The first Monster Manual was nothing more than a listing of critters, with stats, for characters to fight. Well, that's the intent of the book, right?
This version of the venerable MM goes farther. Each creature, when appropriate, comes with several variants. Take that old stand-by, the Orc.
We get:
Orc Drudge (Level 4 Minion, 44XP)
Orc Warrior (Level 9 Minion, 100XP)
Orc Raider (Level 3 Skirmisher, 150XP)
Orc Berserker (Level 4 Brute, 175XP)
Orc Eye of Gruumish (Level 5 Controller, 200XP)
Orc Bloodrager (Level 7 Elite Brute, 600XP)
Orc Cheiftain (Level 8 Elite Brute [Leader], 700XP)
So you can get all sorts of fun mixes. Each entry gets a listing of all relevant stats and powers, and their tactics. Each section also ends with sample encounters. Another example, a sample encounter from the Mind Flayer entry:
Level 18 Encounter (10,114XP)
1 Mind Flayer Mastermind (Level 18 Elite Controller)
1 Mind Flayer Infiltrator (Level 14 Lurker)
3 Grimlock Followers (Level 22 Minion)
2 War Trolls (Level 14 Soldiers)
As you can see, the authors build encounters from all over the book for their examples. A note about monster levels. The Dungeon Master's Guide says that when designing monsters, you should take the average party level, and not use monsters more than four levels below that (too easy) or seven levels above (too hard.) So a party of 7th level characters would be challenged by monsters from 3rd through 14th level. This is a very nice mechanic, and allows me to build interesting and varied encounters.
All the old favorites are here, but there are some glaring omissions. Metallic dragons are not covered. Expect that splatbook next year. Also lacking are normal animals. We get cave and dire bears, but not bears (which would be a threat to low-level parties.)
The art is very good, especially in the group shots of different monster subtypes.
I like this book. It is a very nice tool kit.
The first Monster Manual was nothing more than a listing of critters, with stats, for characters to fight. Well, that's the intent of the book, right?
This version of the venerable MM goes farther. Each creature, when appropriate, comes with several variants. Take that old stand-by, the Orc.
We get:
Orc Drudge (Level 4 Minion, 44XP)
Orc Warrior (Level 9 Minion, 100XP)
Orc Raider (Level 3 Skirmisher, 150XP)
Orc Berserker (Level 4 Brute, 175XP)
Orc Eye of Gruumish (Level 5 Controller, 200XP)
Orc Bloodrager (Level 7 Elite Brute, 600XP)
Orc Cheiftain (Level 8 Elite Brute [Leader], 700XP)
So you can get all sorts of fun mixes. Each entry gets a listing of all relevant stats and powers, and their tactics. Each section also ends with sample encounters. Another example, a sample encounter from the Mind Flayer entry:
Level 18 Encounter (10,114XP)
1 Mind Flayer Mastermind (Level 18 Elite Controller)
1 Mind Flayer Infiltrator (Level 14 Lurker)
3 Grimlock Followers (Level 22 Minion)
2 War Trolls (Level 14 Soldiers)
As you can see, the authors build encounters from all over the book for their examples. A note about monster levels. The Dungeon Master's Guide says that when designing monsters, you should take the average party level, and not use monsters more than four levels below that (too easy) or seven levels above (too hard.) So a party of 7th level characters would be challenged by monsters from 3rd through 14th level. This is a very nice mechanic, and allows me to build interesting and varied encounters.
All the old favorites are here, but there are some glaring omissions. Metallic dragons are not covered. Expect that splatbook next year. Also lacking are normal animals. We get cave and dire bears, but not bears (which would be a threat to low-level parties.)
The art is very good, especially in the group shots of different monster subtypes.
I like this book. It is a very nice tool kit.
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Date: 28 Jul 2008 13:45 (UTC)no subject
Date: 29 Jul 2008 01:40 (UTC)no subject
Date: 29 Jul 2008 04:39 (UTC)