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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Jun 2006 : 03:07:29
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We have our first glimpse at the new format for monsters that was mentioned in the previews of the Monster Manual IV in this link on the WOTC site:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20060601b&page=2
So what do you all think of it? The first thing that I thought was that they seem to be moving back toward the spirit of the 2nd edition monster entries, where a little bit more context for the monster, its society, and environments would be given.
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2006 : 03:15:39
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| I like it. if it keeps to form, as in the preview, I believe it will be an improvement. I especially like the CR being right up front next to the name of the monster/ creature. along with alignment. overall Good format |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2006 : 03:16:44
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| I like it, it seems very 2Eish. :) Which I liked better. |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2006 : 03:29:23
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I agree with the opinions expressed above...
It's nice to see a return to the older style monster entries. If presents them as something more than just a collection of stats with a fancy illustration.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2006 : 03:30:11
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| I'm divided on it. While the support material itself is very nice, there's a lot of important information hung on the old stat block that's difficult to gather from it. |
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Dhomal
Senior Scribe
USA
565 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2006 : 06:31:49
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Hello-
Well, I noticed that there is a single, short entry for the monster in Faerun. I Definately like this aspect. From what I gather - some will have Faurun, some Eberron, maybe even both in some cases.
As far as the stat-block issues - I'm just starting to get my feet wet w/ GMing 3.5 - so I'm not sure. I do know already though that i like the CR right at the top. Not sure why it was Ever hidden in the middle!
Dhomal |
I am collecting the D&D Minis. I would be more than willing to trade with people. You can send me a PM here with your email listed - and I can send you my minis list. Thanks!
Successfully traded with Xysma! |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2006 : 11:18:54
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Sweet! A return to having real info for monsters! 
As other have mentioned, that was a great thing about monsters in 2E -- they had the ecology and society sections. You knew what a monster did when you weren't fighting it, and what you could do with its body once you had killed it. Sometimes there was enough info right there to come up with new hooks or ideas for adventures. The current 3E monster entries, though, make them seem like they sit around and wait for adventurers to come along and attack them. Getting away from that kind of monster entry will be a great thing. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2006 : 13:20:34
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Now THAT is an improvement... or back to the roots approach... or back to the 2nd roots... be that as it may if they dedicate a 1-page entry per monster again, we will get much more info on the critters, never liked the cram-it-all-in-as-little-space-as-possible-approach.
On th other hand we'll get more MMs now if they revert to the 1-mob-per-page thingy...
Nonetheless, we need to seed the page layout also, but I like it. |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
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Elrond Half Elven
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
322 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2006 : 17:31:46
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I quite like these stat blocks, nice and easy to read, great for use in a game. It nice to see additional information included especially the ecology section; this was something that has been missing for a long time.
One problem I can see is style continuity; the composition and layout changes quite allot over the various books since 3E, personally I feel that detracts from the whole feel of the books. Additionally I also feel having each entry on a new page makes for much better reading, presents the information clearly and makes searching quick and easy.
Just my thoughts
Hanx
Elrond |
Once upon a midnight dreary, while i pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-
While i nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
-The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe |
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Snotlord
Senior Scribe
Norway
476 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2006 : 17:53:19
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| Well, yes, I agree with Elrond, but all the changes so far have been for the better so I can't really complain. The new statblock and magic item formats are soooo much better than the old, so I'm happy. |
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Mr. Wilson
Seeker
USA
73 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2006 : 08:24:59
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Agrees with the majority. I'm happy the Ecology has been brought back, and I like these stat blocks better than what we had to work with before.
Perhaps they are listening to the public on these matters. |
"I've got a plan..."- Dan
"Nothing good has ever come after those four words." - Jesse |
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Vainelus
Seeker
USA
59 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2006 : 14:09:53
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| I agree that the ecology information is nice to have back. The new stat block is better for using the monsters as printed, but it does make advancing them at bit more difficult. |
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Eremite
Learned Scribe
Singapore
182 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2006 : 05:20:56
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I like the idea of extra information for monsters, a la 2E, but I hope more effort is spent on getting the stat blocks right rather than just simply making them look better. I actually don't like the new stat block format because it takes up far too much room.
I also hope the extended format is not used by a bunch of poor writers to make vague motherhood statements solely to pad out the word count (for examples of this, see most of the base class articles on the WotC website or a lot of the prose that accompanies the new PrC and base class formats in the latest books). |
Best
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Mazrim_Taim
Learned Scribe
341 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2006 : 02:40:04
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| I like what I see so long as it's all good quality. |
And if the PCs DO win their ways through all the liches to Larloch, “he” will almost certainly be just another lich (loaded with explosive spells) set up as a decoy, with dozens of hidden liches waiting to pounce on any surviving PCs who ‘celebrate’ after they take Larloch down. As the REAL Larloch watches (magical scrying) from afar. Myself, as DM, I’d be wondering: “Such a glorious game, so many opportunities laid out before your PCs to devote your time to, and THIS fixation is the best you can come up with? Are you SURE you’re adventurers?” -Ed Greenwood
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2006 : 23:13:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
I'm divided on it. While the support material itself is very nice, there's a lot of important information hung on the old stat block that's difficult to gather from it.
I agree. I am bit divided myself... one minor flaw catches my eye, though: the new stat block format is missing the hit die type and con bonuses - I dislike the simple "30 hp (4 HD)". If I am in a hurry, and wish to roll for hp myself, this will take some extra effort and time on my part. |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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Expanded Monster Entries in Monster Manual IV
