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| Monster Categories http://worldworksgames.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=73&t=12394 |
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| Author: | sdavies2720 [ 10-02-2013, 03:30 PM ] |
| Post subject: | Monster Categories |
Has anyone seen a good approach to categorizing monsters based on the role they play in an encounter? I've thought of a few, such as Bosses (big baddies that can hold their own against the party), Immobilizers (pin down part of the party), Eroders (de-buff party members or make them use up abilities). I'm sure someone has figured out a good set (and hopefully has much better names than mine). So I'm hoping someone here can point me toward an article... Thanks! Steve |
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| Author: | Magius [ 10-02-2013, 04:25 PM ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Monster Categories |
4e had a pretty good set of descripters: Ranged (deals damage at range), Melee (deals damage up close), Controller (controls the battlefield through AoEs, Terrain Manipulation, or Debuffs), Leader (helps out their side through Buffs and Heals), Striker (Hits hard and hits fast), or Bruiser (IIRC; blocks access to other monsters and soaks up damage). They also had Elites (IIRC; took the place of 2 monsters of the same level), and Soloes (took the place of 4 critters), as well as Minions (which are the cannon fodder of the game - strong enough to hurt, but weak enough to drop in one hit). Mix and match, and you've got yourself an encounter (IE, a Solo Bruiser or a pair of Elite Ranged Strikers) that you have a ready-made idea for how to run to make it challenging and memorable (IE, a tight, claustrophobic arena, or a large, mostly empty room with scattered cover). One of the things that I liked very much about D&D 4e. |
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| Author: | ScrubKai [ 10-02-2013, 04:27 PM ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Monster Categories |
I agree. That was one of the things 4th did well, they classified monsters into roles to give you some idea of how to play them. Not great at first but it got really good as time went on. |
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| Author: | Talae [ 10-02-2013, 04:31 PM ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Monster Categories |
Ninja'd, but I am posting anyway: 4e has roles to more quickly identify how they fit into a combat: Artillery - Ranged combatant Brute - High Damage, High hitpoints and low defenses Controller - manipulate the battlefield Lurker - strike from hidden Skirmisher - hit and run Soldier - tend to draw attacks and have high defenses with average hitpoints, but low to average damage They also have the categories: Minion - much weaker than the standard monster (worth 1/4) Standard - the average monster type Elite - tougher than standard monsters (worth about two) Solo - can take on a party by themselves or almost by themselves (worth about four) There is also Leader, which could really be just about any of the above. Basically it gives bonuses to other monsters. |
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| Author: | sdavies2720 [ 10-02-2013, 08:06 PM ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Monster Categories |
Thanks all, that is exactly what I was looking for. You all rock. I'll see if I can borrow a 4e GM Guide (I assume these would be there -- or are they in a bestiary?). I run RuneQuest, for which it is hard to set up balanced encounters. I don't know if I'll every get there, but I'd like to put some guidelines together to help GMs balance encounters. Categories like 4e I think are part of the solution. Steve |
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| Author: | Talae [ 10-02-2013, 08:07 PM ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Monster Categories |
The DMs guide has more info on them and the Monster's Manual has the examples. |
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