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In Dungeon 139, Paizo puts it to us readers whether we like the primary layout of having stat blocks both within the adventure and at the end (which is how it's currently done) or whether everything should be moved to the back in an appendix. (I imagine Paizo is open to other suggestions as well.)
In the end, I like it as it is. I, for one, don't like the notion of having to flip pages between an encounter area and the encounter itself. It proves distracting and unnecessary.
I can't say...I haven't gotten my Issue #139 yet...
I like the current format, but I would really like the stats included in the web enhancement. Given the lag time between the issue release and the web enhancements, errata could be included in the PDF file.
I think I prefer the way it is now, though having the stats in the web supplement for each issue would be great.
Stat blocks all at the end works for me, as I scan them in, print them out, and cut them up as index card-like items (along with cards for the standard monsters that don't have blocks, for traps, etc.). However, stat blocks in the web enhancement would be ideal! Cuts out the scanning part.
I like it as it is, very much. The appendix of stats kind of aggrivated me with the Shackled City hardcover.
I certainly prefer leaving the stat blocks inline with the section of the adventure they reference. Of course, I still think that the new stat blocks ought to include the AC break down (Armor, Deflection, Natural Armor, etc), but that doesn't seem likely to be changed anytime soon.
I like Stat Blocks in the actual encounter text. The exception being new monsters or those that will appear in several encounters, in that case I'm fine with them being gathered in an appendix.
But I agree that having the stat blocks in the online supplement would be handy, although I can see that Paizo probably wouldn't want to put too much of the material on the web for free.
I place my vote for having the stat block included with the encounter. I find it more convenient to have the information in front of me. The Shackled City HC used the stats at the end format, and I found it to be a nuisance, all that flipping back and forth.
Plus, I believe that D&D is switching to a new encounter format next year(?) that is supposedly more DM friendly. Personally, I'd wait to see if that format provides any solutions and then poll to see if Dungeon should adopt that or keep with the current...
Status quo, with online pdf backup, please!
The first thing I do when I'm going to run a Dungeon adventure is type all of the stats in all possible encounters into a Word document. I then go through all of the spells and spell like abilities and add some quick reference notes. For example, if one of the spells prepared is fireball I'll replace it with fireball (long, 20' rad, 10d6 fire, Ref DC 18 half).
For higher level encounters (15 or higher) I add average damage numbers to speed up play. For example:
Melee bite +31 (4d6+19 (35) / 19-20) and
2 wings +29 (2d6+17 (25)) and
tail sweep +29 (2d8+31 (40))
I then make minor tweaks and modifications for my campaign. For example, I may change a race or bump up the CR.
After everything is written up I print out each monster on a sheet of paper (or two and staple them together) and paperclip them into encounters.
I also have sheets for all of the player characters. During combat I sort the PC sheets and monsters in order of initiative. I then use the sheets to keep track of damage, spells used, etc.
It would be helpful if I could have a web enhancement to cut and paste stats. It's not that big of a deal though; copying the stats helps me to get familiar with the encounters I'm going to run.
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I've been running RHoD from Wizards recently, and have found the pdf with all the stats VERY useful. It's great if you want to use that as a base set to which to apply changes, or just for printing out quick reference cards. I would vote to keep stats as they exist in the magazine now and to publish the stats for non-standard monsters as part of the monthly web enhancement.
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Paizo could always offer two versions of the Web Supplement for each. The first would be available to the general public and would be as it currently is. For subscribers, a "special edition" Supplement could include everything in the free version, as well as stat blocks. That way, Paizo could ensure that it isn't "giving away too much for free" as Paizo's subscribers most certainly paid for the content already.
I've been running RHoD from Wizards recently, and have found the pdf with all the stats VERY useful. It's great if you want to use that as a base set to which to apply changes, or just for printing out quick reference cards. I would vote to keep stats as they exist in the magazine now and to publish the stats for non-standard monsters as part of the monthly web enhancement.
janxious, where did you find the .pdf of stats for Red Hand of Doom? I looked all over Wizard's website and zippo!
Thanks in advance!