So I've just finished off Burnt Offerings.
One of the things that really stood out was the stat blocks. Interesting design and it prompted me to go back to my own statblock template and update it.
I liked the idea of putting actual headers into the statblock (offence, Defence etc.) I guess most of us new that this was the concept behind the design even prior to the headings and yet I'm finding it easier to remember to look under Defense for Saving Throws as opposed to look past the 2nd dividing line - especially with really long statblocks (the ones that run multiple pages) its simply easier to find this sort of thing.
I liked the tactics heading and contents a fair bit. I think at least some thought should be given to the three categories located in there for every monster so including it as part of the statblock makes some sense.
What does seem a little confusing is its actual location. Its in the middle of the statblock. Admittedly this is not a bad location for the kinds of creatures one faces in Burnt Offerings but it seems very odd for the really nasty high level stuff. Those types of creatures could need a page to cover their tactics. Since access to the information located in stats is still important for running the monster I can't really grasp why the tactics section is in the middle of the Statblock.
I can sort of see the benefit in the sense that a DM is likely to glance at this section when running a monster and it would be nice if its near Offense and Defense but I honestly can't see how this can work long term. With powerful complex monsters the DM needs all the help he can get running them - thats no place to be skimping on the tactics section in order to fit it nicely in the statblock. On the other hand if no skimping is done it will push the Statistics section far down the list and make finding that important information difficult as the statblock suddenly runs for pages - not really what one wants in a statblock. Personally I just moved this section to the end of the Statblock and made it dead last.
A few other thoughts. I notice that there is a special abilities section at the end of the Statblock. Thats OK I suppose but I wonder why all the abilities are gathered there. In my experience Abilities tend to fairly easily divide into Offencive Abilities, Defensive Abilities and Other Abilities. I took a page from older editions of the Game and included Special Attacks in my Statblock - Here I list out and describe offensive abilities. Just enough to effectively run them. If you want more of the fluff regarding such an ability refer to the source material. Special Attacks belongs in the Offencive section of the Statblock. Defensive Abilities went under Special Defenses and appear in the Defensive Section of the Statblock. Finally other abilities that are not really offensive or defensive appear under Special Qualities and are located in the Statistics section of the Statblock.
I agree with what Jeremy wrote; I'd add that the grouping of all feats into the Statistics section is less than useful. Splitting out "important" feats (like Power Attack, Dodge, Improved Trip, etc.) into the "Offsense" section, while leaving the "only-changes-statistics" feats (like Weapon Focus, Improved Initiative, etc.) in the Statistics section was one of the great big improvements of the last stat block revision.
"Useful skills" would also be nice to separate; in my own stat blocks, I often place Tumble on my Speed listing and Concentration on a spellcasting listing, since they're used so often.
-Steve
I agree with what Jeremy wrote; I'd add that the grouping of all feats into the Statistics section is less than useful. Splitting out "important" feats (like Power Attack, Dodge, Improved Trip, etc.) into the "Offsense" section, while leaving the "only-changes-statistics" feats (like Weapon Focus, Improved Initiative, etc.) in the Statistics section was one of the great big improvements of the last stat block revision.
"Useful skills" would also be nice to separate; in my own stat blocks, I often place Tumble on my Speed listing and Concentration on a spellcasting listing, since they're used so often.
-Steve
Thats an interesting idea as well. We see a little of this with certian feats as well.
Something that has been bothering me is the spell location. Currently its located in offense. That makes since because 'Offence' could just as easily be labeled 'actions' or some such - this section is meant to include everything a NPC - especially a bad guy the DM is running in combat - can do on their turn.
The problem is that Spells can get out of control. There can be a whole large list and it again creates a issue with finding other material in the statblock when there are 40 spells listed - in my home game this is made even worse as I include all relevant info for every spell in the actual statblock (nothing worse then having to look a spells range up in the middle of a fight - the DM needs accurate game relevant information at his fingertips in this circumstance. However I can't think of a better place to keep spell info or a better way to handle it so I've just been making do so far in this regards.
So I've just finished off Burnt Offerings.
.
One of the things that really stood out was the stat blocks. Interesting design and it prompted me to go back to my own statblock template and update it.
I could be wrong, but aren't the statblocks just using the Monster Manual IV format? If not it seems darn close.
I could be wrong, but aren't the statblocks just using the Monster Manual IV format? If not it seems darn close.
It's similar to the DMGII/MMIV format, but with some notable changes. The headers, for one, but also in the organization of some of the information (languages not being in the top, special qualities and the BAB/Grp info being moved to the bottom, etc.) has been adjusted. Plus the big addition of a tactics section.
I've also updated my own templates to match, since the data flows better.