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View Full Version : Is the MM2 safe to use in a 3.5 campagin?



Gamerlord
2009-11-10, 07:38 PM
Just wondering, its 3.0, and dirt cheap so I am wondering: is a 3.0 book safe to use in a 3.5 game?

dougch
2009-11-10, 07:40 PM
yes it is fine to use

jokey665
2009-11-10, 07:41 PM
For the most part it is usable as-is, but I recommend the 3.5 update from WotC (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/DnD35_Monster_Manual_2.zip).

Gamerlord
2009-11-10, 07:41 PM
Anything that I should keep an eye on? I hear they did DR differently, is that true?

TheCountAlucard
2009-11-10, 07:42 PM
Anything that I should keep an eye on? I hear they did DR differently, is that true?Yes, DR and skills were both changed from 3.0 to 3.5.

Gamerlord
2009-11-10, 07:49 PM
How, exactly?

Gnorman
2009-11-10, 07:50 PM
Just wondering, its 3.0, and dirt cheap so I am wondering: is a 3.0 book safe to use in a 3.5 game?

Safe? Yes.

A good idea? No.

A very hefty chunk of the monsters in the book have wildly-assigned, inaccurate challenge ratings. As long as you don't take the CR as given, but instead examine the creature and make a good determination yourself, you should be fine.

Famine Spirit, for example. 18 AC. Does 1d8+3 damage with a bite and 1d6+1 with its two claws. CR: 19. Sure, it has a constant Symbol of Pain on it and a vorpal bite, but CR 19 is ridiculous.

Gamerlord
2009-11-10, 07:52 PM
Okay, no monster shall enter my campaign without careful examinations. And many playtest battles with MM1 monsters.

Boci
2009-11-10, 08:31 PM
Famine Spirit, for example. 18 AC. Does 1d8+3 damage with a bite and 1d6+1 with its two claws. CR: 19. Sure, it has a constant Symbol of Pain on it and a vorpal bite, but CR 19 is ridiculous.

At least that one is in favour of the party. There's some monsters in there who can cast spells as a sroceror with a higher level then their own CR.


(To all readers: Just don't.)

Asbestos
2009-11-10, 08:39 PM
Don't what? Don't mention that CR 9 small construct on page 47?

Gamerlord
2009-11-10, 08:40 PM
Don't what? Don't mention that CR 9 small construct on page 47?

What do you mean?

Asbestos
2009-11-10, 08:44 PM
Well, among other nifty abilities... it casts Implosion, Disintegrate, and Mordenkainen's Disjunction ... at will... and as a 14th level caster.

Gamerlord
2009-11-10, 08:45 PM
WHAT? AND ITS CR 9?! :eek:

PairO'Dice Lost
2009-11-10, 08:48 PM
WHAT? AND ITS CR 9?! :eek:

Yep. If you really needed any more proof that even the developers have no idea how to assign CRs, MM2 is the go-to book.

Gamerlord
2009-11-10, 08:50 PM
Well I guess I will have to regulate these monsters veeeeeery carefully to avoid a TPK.

Eldariel
2009-11-10, 09:21 PM
How, exactly?

Some skills were changed:
- Intuit Direction and Wilderness Lore were collapsed into Survival
- Handle Animal became a separate skill
- Innuendo was collapsed into Bluff
- Read Lips was collapsed into Spot
- Scry became a part of the spells instead of a skill

Damage Reduction became "/Alignment, /Metal, /Type or /Magic or Epic" instead of "/+1, /+2, /+3, /+4 or /+5". That is, as long as weapon has base enhancement bonus, it's going penetrate all non-epic DR. Also, DR numbers overall were scaled down a bit. It's all in the 3.5 update for MM2.

And yeah, just check the creature's abilities out instead of checking out its CR. The CRs in that book mean nothing.

OracleofWuffing
2009-11-10, 09:45 PM
I remember sticking some Stained Glass Golems against a pretty gishy-focused party. With one adamantine weapon between the whole group, that was one heck of an annoying fight. Yes, by RAW, one could argue they don't have magic immunity, but I'm pretty certain that Brass Golem part is a typo in the update. I also remember being particularly concerned about Legendary Tigers, but I didn't end up using them, so, yes, being careful is important.

However, don't be too careful. Sometimes it's fun for the party to be in threatening situations.

Zaq
2009-11-10, 10:56 PM
+1 to the comments on ignoring the listed CRs. While the CRs in most 3.5 books were chosen by dartboard, the CRs in most 3.0/3.25 books were chosen by dartboard by blind monkeys who were on fire.

AslanCross
2009-11-10, 11:26 PM
Again echoing the CR issues and monsters with caster levels way above their own HD. See the Linnorms.

There are interesting examples of monsters, but I suggest playtesting them before use.