rules for new Monster stat block

[chopswil]

What are the rules to display any monster in the new style stat block.
that is, bold this, put these stats on their own line etc.

thanks

mike w.

[Jeremy Mac Donald]

chopswil wrote:

What are the rules to display any monster in the new style stat block.

that is, bold this, put these stats on their own line etc.

thanks

mike w.

Good Question. I'd like to see a template so I can copy it ... That said I think there might be a thread around here that has just such a template.

[James Jacobs]

The Dungeon Master's Guide 2 has full details on how to use the new stat block. Of course, you can more or less cobble new ones together by studying those that appear in the magazine. OR... you could just use what I'm gonna post here in a few seconds. ;-)

[James Jacobs]

MONSTER NAME CR XXX
Gender race class level
AL Size type (subtype)
Source xxx
Init xxx; [b]Senses Listen +xxx, Spot +xxx
Aura xxx
Languages xxx
AC xxx, touch xxx, flat-footed xxx
hp xxx (xxx HD); regeneration/fast healing ; DR xxx
Immune xxx
Resist xxx; SR xxx
Fort +xxx, Ref +xxx, Will +xxx
Weakness xxx
Spd xxx ft.
Melee weapon +xxx (xxx)
Ranged weapon +xxx (xxx)
Space xxx; [b]Reach xxx
Base Atk +xxx; Grp +xxx
Atk Options xxx
Special Atk xxx
Combat Gear xxx
Spells Prepared (CL th):
2nd—xxx, xxx
1st—xxx, xxx
Spell-Like Abilities (CL th):
1/day—xxx
Abilities Str xxx, Dex xxx, Con xxx, Int xxx, Wis xxx, Cha xxx
SQ xxx
Feats xxx
Skills xxx
Possessions xxx

[Sir Kaikillah]

Much mahalo James. I really like the new stat blocks in Dungeon magazine. Difinetly an improvement.

[Jeremy Mac Donald]

Cool. Thanks.

Now I'm faced with the tough choice of wether or not I shopuld bother updating the modules I have been working on or just start using the new stat block from this point forward. Laziness will probably win out in the end.

[Jawsh]

James Jacobs wrote:

[snip]
Melee weapon +xxx (xxx)
Ranged weapon +xxx (xxx)
Space xxx; [b]Reach xxx
Base Atk +xxx; Grp +xxx
Atk Options xxx
Special Atk xxx
[/snip]

I haven't had a chance to look at the DMG2 yet; what information goes in the "Atk Options xxx" line? Is this the old "Full Atk" line broadened to include such things as spells? Is it for anything that the creature can do with a standard action?

[Koldoon]

Or put into the words of those of us who like to submit, when can we hope for the submission guidelines to be updated to include the new format and rules for its use?

- Ashavan

[James Jacobs]

Atk Options includes anything that a creature can use to modify its existing attacks. Stuff like sneak attack, smite, Power Attack, and other options that don't replace an attack but rather add on to an attack go here.

[Phil. L]

While the new stat blocks are OK reading over them does raize a few questions.

1. The new stat blocks seem longer than the old ones. is this an optical illusion, or am I on the right track? Will it affect the length of the published adventures?

2. Why is the melee and ranged attack section above the base attack and grapple section? it makes no difference to me, and I have my own opinion on the matter, but still find it to be an interesting switch.

3. Why are the spells listed with the highest levels at the top and the 0-levels at the bottom? Again, it makes no difference to me, but I'm interested to know why it's been done.

4. Are the new stat blocks going to be a permanent fixture of the magazine, or not? Also, are the new stat blocks going to be covered under the OGL? Indeed, are the new stat blocks listed as an optional stat block in the DMGII?

Some of these questions you may not be able to answer (perhaps I should address them to WoTC?), and you may have answered them elsewhere, but I'll ask anyhow.

[Zherog]

Phil. L wrote:

3. Why are the spells listed with the highest levels at the top and the 0-levels at the bottom? Again, it makes no difference to me, but I'm interested to know why it's been done.

My hunch would be that you're more likely to lead off with your highest level spells in combat, so tossing them to the top makes them a little bit easier to find. It's just a hunch though.