SpikeFightwicky
2008-07-03, 03:59 PM
I'm playing around with the 'Creating a monster' part of the 'DM's Toolbox' section of the DMG. I've got some questions (and you can't spell 'question' without 'Quest', so I figure I'm on the right track) that I wouldn't mind finding some answers to. Such as:
Ability scores...
On average, the highest ability score of a pair is equal to 13 + 1/2 lvl.
Alright, so for a level 6 monster, 3 of the 6 stats are going to be 16s. But lets check out those wacky demons. The evistro has a very wacky ability score array, from 21 to 5. Also, what do I do for the lowest ability of a pair? For our pal the Evistro, it looks like they just picked what felt appropriate.
Also, I wanted to get a reference monster. Suppose I want to create a level 5 artillery monster that's not a gnoll....
I looked up the current lvl 5 gnoll artillerist, the 'Gnoll Huntmaster' (a level 5 artillery monster... HANDY!). As a level 5 artillerist, his defenses should be:
AC = Lvl + 12
Others = Lvl + 12 (adjusted by stats)
I'm guessing AC is also adjusted by Dex, though it's not stated in the 'Creating Monsters' section. So lets check him out: His AC should be 17. He has leather armor, for another +2 (19 AC total). However, what about his Dex? According to 'Adding Equipment' on page 174, you subtract 10 and his +4 dex from his AC to get his effective armor bonus (so his dex 'SHOULD' be taken into account). So according to the 'Creating Monsters' rule, Dex is not taken into account for the AC (?!?!?) of created monsters. Or is it assumed to be part of the '+12' AC in the original formula? As for his other defenses, his fort save should also be 17 (12 + level). However, the gnoll Con value is 14, giving +2. So why is his Fort defense 16? And if he also has +2 from Wis 14, why is his will save 14?
I'll save the rest for later. Anyone have any clarifications? Or should I not use MM monsters as 'examples'?
Ability scores...
On average, the highest ability score of a pair is equal to 13 + 1/2 lvl.
Alright, so for a level 6 monster, 3 of the 6 stats are going to be 16s. But lets check out those wacky demons. The evistro has a very wacky ability score array, from 21 to 5. Also, what do I do for the lowest ability of a pair? For our pal the Evistro, it looks like they just picked what felt appropriate.
Also, I wanted to get a reference monster. Suppose I want to create a level 5 artillery monster that's not a gnoll....
I looked up the current lvl 5 gnoll artillerist, the 'Gnoll Huntmaster' (a level 5 artillery monster... HANDY!). As a level 5 artillerist, his defenses should be:
AC = Lvl + 12
Others = Lvl + 12 (adjusted by stats)
I'm guessing AC is also adjusted by Dex, though it's not stated in the 'Creating Monsters' section. So lets check him out: His AC should be 17. He has leather armor, for another +2 (19 AC total). However, what about his Dex? According to 'Adding Equipment' on page 174, you subtract 10 and his +4 dex from his AC to get his effective armor bonus (so his dex 'SHOULD' be taken into account). So according to the 'Creating Monsters' rule, Dex is not taken into account for the AC (?!?!?) of created monsters. Or is it assumed to be part of the '+12' AC in the original formula? As for his other defenses, his fort save should also be 17 (12 + level). However, the gnoll Con value is 14, giving +2. So why is his Fort defense 16? And if he also has +2 from Wis 14, why is his will save 14?
I'll save the rest for later. Anyone have any clarifications? Or should I not use MM monsters as 'examples'?