Vrecknidj
Warlord
10423 Posts
    
United States
 | | 06/16/2006 9:43 AM |
| Over on ENWorld, there's a somewhat lively discussion of the stat block format that's been in use lately. In particular, this thread focuses on the Hordes of the Abyss, but, a lot of people seem to not like the new stat block.
http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=165586
What are your opinions?
Dave | |
Knowledge Arcana editor issues 5-9, Phoenix Lore Magazine editor, assistant editor for Rite Publishing;
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orcmonk220
Underboss
1608 Posts
| | 06/16/2006 9:51 AM |
| hmm... sounds like it may slightly be moving towards the Dungeon-NPC stat box. I dunno. I'd much rather wait to see a few in hand.
EDIT: Typing mistakes. My nerves are kicking in! | |
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Lab Monkey
Commander
4136 Posts
| | 06/16/2006 10:16 AM |
| I'm a fan. The new stat block is much easier for my brain to digest.
Edit: I do agree with his criticism about Power Attack not being explicitly spelled out. It's confusing. | |
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madda
Sergeant
714 Posts
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CarrionCrawler
Underboss
1760 Posts
| | 06/16/2006 2:07 PM |
| I really don't like any of the new Stat Blocks they've put out...PrCs, monsters, magic items, etc. In MY opinion, they're changing all the things that don't need to be changed and not clearing up that which needs clearing up.
CC | |
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Sammael
Underboss
1881 Posts
| | 06/16/2006 2:39 PM |
| | The new stat block format is perfectly fine (and about a billion times easier to read than the old abbreviated stat block). The missing information is not cool, though. I can live without HD type (it takes all of 10 minutes - or less - to memorize the entire HD type by creature chart). However, the Power Attack omission is horrible. | |
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Snappa
Sneak
77 Posts
| | 06/16/2006 5:43 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Sammael
The new stat block format is perfectly fine (and about a billion times easier to read than the old abbreviated stat block). The missing information is not cool, though. I can live without HD type (it takes all of 10 minutes - or less - to memorize the entire HD type by creature chart). However, the Power Attack omission is horrible.
Agree 100%. The format is fine, and once you've trained yourself where to look for something, makes more logical sense than the old blocks, however, the omissions of certain things do present problems, and the lack of editing/oversite by WotC on statblocks released in products is unexcusable.
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Wayne
Underboss
1371 Posts
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jgsugden
Commander
4320 Posts
Walnut Creek, CA
| | 06/16/2006 7:16 PM |
| Wayne hit it on the head: It is far better, but still alien.
The funny thing is that it is incredibly similar to my stat block system. I designed mine back when 3.0 came out so that it'd give me all the info I want on a monster in the order that I usually need it:
Name
****
Senses (Types, Spot, Listen)
Stealth (Hide, Move Silently, Stealth abilities)
Upon encounter abilities (fear aura, gaze attacks, etc...)
Languages
****
Initiative
Speed
Saves (+ immunities, resistances)
AC
Ability scores
****
BAB/Grapple
Attack options (Full attack combos (including notes for relevant feats like power attack, breath weapons, etc...)
****
Combat special abilities and spells
****
Feats
Skills
Non-combat abilities and spells
****
Notes | |
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Benimoto
Underboss
1125 Posts
| | 06/16/2006 11:00 PM |
| I think it's good. I agree with some of the concerns on enworld though. I frequently advance monsters, so it's important to have enough info to do that. It looks like they've fixed most of those problems, so with a few more tweaks, I think we're golden. I greatly appreciate the better organization.
When I first saw the new stat block was back in the DMG 2, it was missing enough information that it drove me crazy. Stuff like the AC breakdown. I don't want to have to go leafing through the PHB to figure out what happens if they swing a brilliant energy weapon at an NPC. But most of that's in there now.
I can definitely appreciate the frustration with editing errors in stat blocks. I'm one of the people who went through and penciled in the corrected stat blocks for my MM3. I hope I don't have to do that with the MM4. | |
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Teflon Jeff
Warlord
7535 Posts
Sector 2814
| | 06/17/2006 12:34 AM |
| I like the direction it's taking.
However, I feel it does still need some work, making stats easily understandable. More information is never a bad thing.
In a stat block | |
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Vrecknidj
Warlord
10423 Posts
United States
| | 06/17/2006 1:28 AM |
| Lots of positive replies--cool, gives me faith. I like the new format and I don't like the assumptions about things like Power Attack, so, it looks like I'm typical here.
Thanks all.
Dave | |
Knowledge Arcana editor issues 5-9, Phoenix Lore Magazine editor, assistant editor for Rite Publishing;
My Trade Thread and My Reference Thread; Winner of WBC IV, IX and XIII; Rule #0: bshugg is always right! | |
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