Baptor
2015-07-01, 01:20 PM
Hi, DM here.
One thing that has bugged me since I started playing in AD&D is this idea of either (magic weapons are needed to hit monster) or the slightly less annoying (non-magic weapons deal less damage against monster).
In the present edition it poses the following problem. The CR of a monster is calculated based on a number of factors, but DR factors into it quite a bit a la the DMG. So creatures with DR verses non-magical weapons have significantly less hp to account for this.
My problem is that it's still an on/off switch. Either the party doesn't have them and these monsters are tough, or they do and they are easy. Maybe it doesn't annoy other DMs, maybe it's not as annoying as I feel it is.
Assuming that's not the case, here's a proposed fix.
The first is easy but changes the game significantly. No magic weapons. Instead, dole out magic weapon oil on occasion and of course there is the magic weapon spell. This makes the party use up valuable resources to take down these monsters easy. So they can make the battle easy, but it does cost them something.
Assuming you don't want to do that, you can do this. Instead of of DR versus non-magic physical, just make it DR versus physical. Then you can give out magic weapons, and instead of magic weapon oils, give out energy oils. For example, Radiant Oil or Psychic Oil. Using this oil on a weapon changes its damage type to that energy for the duration (whatever magic weapon's is), which would bypass the physical DR of the monster.
In any event, I feel like something like this is a good idea if you don't like this as-is. For me, it's just silly that by handing out one magic item you automatically negate the special ability that significantly affects CR of a great number of the creatures in the MM.
Just my 2cp, what do you think?
One thing that has bugged me since I started playing in AD&D is this idea of either (magic weapons are needed to hit monster) or the slightly less annoying (non-magic weapons deal less damage against monster).
In the present edition it poses the following problem. The CR of a monster is calculated based on a number of factors, but DR factors into it quite a bit a la the DMG. So creatures with DR verses non-magical weapons have significantly less hp to account for this.
My problem is that it's still an on/off switch. Either the party doesn't have them and these monsters are tough, or they do and they are easy. Maybe it doesn't annoy other DMs, maybe it's not as annoying as I feel it is.
Assuming that's not the case, here's a proposed fix.
The first is easy but changes the game significantly. No magic weapons. Instead, dole out magic weapon oil on occasion and of course there is the magic weapon spell. This makes the party use up valuable resources to take down these monsters easy. So they can make the battle easy, but it does cost them something.
Assuming you don't want to do that, you can do this. Instead of of DR versus non-magic physical, just make it DR versus physical. Then you can give out magic weapons, and instead of magic weapon oils, give out energy oils. For example, Radiant Oil or Psychic Oil. Using this oil on a weapon changes its damage type to that energy for the duration (whatever magic weapon's is), which would bypass the physical DR of the monster.
In any event, I feel like something like this is a good idea if you don't like this as-is. For me, it's just silly that by handing out one magic item you automatically negate the special ability that significantly affects CR of a great number of the creatures in the MM.
Just my 2cp, what do you think?