Varient Monster build


Advice


So I am planning on making a bunch of new monsters for the game, was kind of thinking of Using classes more and racial powers less. But wanted some opinions on this take.

The thought was that at current monsters are build vastly different then PC's and all and all are often times technically better then the players. This leads to a feeling that the Hero's are a bit less heroic. Perhaps it's just me, plus of course it can be hard to actually know what the CR of the new creatures should be. The idea was to tone down the Racial powers to no more then a custom monstrous player race could have and then use NPC or class levels for everything else.

So instead of the giant having a zillion HD and X powers, the race would be designed to conform to the Race creation guidelines from advanced race builder then class levels would be added until it was the proper CR. Gear for the creature would be added to not exceed the proper treasure for the creature.

Plan to use similar for non humanoid races as well, Make the Lv1 version of it, then find a class or mix of classes that would give it the basic powers I had envisioned for the creature, Then perhaps refluff a lot of the powers to fit a more exciting theme. So a adept plant creature might ""cast"" it's spells by exuding spores that have magical effects.

The basic idea was to make monsters that could be effectively mimicked by players. As apposed to the monsters in the core bestiaries that follow such different rules from players that it can be hard to relate.

** the real question is, In general do you find a creature that while flavorful relied completely on race HD and powers that it was just born with (the way monsters are now)

Or would it be enjoyably if the monsters fit into a similar mechanic as the player (same basic rules as a NPC enemy would fall under CR and power wise ect)

I mean I guess thematically both are very similar, The second way however makes it easier (least in my opinion) to add or subtract from the monster to make it older or younger (stronger or weaker) While also making the system for monsters and players more balanced then it currently is.


Any thoughts?


The encounters PC's face in most games are designed for them to have a way to come out on top, so it's ok for the monsters to be a little OP. Look at wood golems. Awesome splinter explosion ability, complete magic resistance and they can hold their own in melee. But they're either going to have to be the aggressor in combat or just be part of a trap. It's easy for the PC's to outsmart them. Even though most golems are technically better than most PC's, they're still at a disadvantage being that they're just dumb game pieces. So it's balanced in that way as long as you aren't constantly trying to kill off your PC's. Also, the fact that the monsters have stuff that the players can't makes them extra cool and scary.


thank you for your feedback

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