I'm not sure if anybody's actually taken a stab at doing this (if so, please tell me so I don't waste a god awful amount of time on this project), but I'm planning on setting up a system for use in my group (and anybody else who wants to use the system) that functions similarly to how knowledge checks for monsters are treated in 4e.
Basically to identify a monster's "abilities and weaknesses" the DC is 10+creature's CR. (or 5/15+creature's CR, depending on the creature) Doing so reveals one piece of information. But the question is. What should the first piece of information reveal? Second? Third?
I was hoping to find some help establishing in which order that information about monsters should be uncovered. And what information should be grouped together.
Information revealed could include:
How many natural attacks the creature has, and what it's reach is.
What types of senses it has.
Ect.Any suggestions and thoughts on this matter would be much appreciated.
well 4winds fantasy came out with its monster knowledge cards a while back. Though that is based on the core rules dcs but it might give you a good starting point for your rules.
Do you know of any sites where I could find a few sample cards? I don't necessarily wish to BUY the product, but seeing how they format and prioritize their questions WOULD be a big help, I'm sure.
I do believe it is closed content so I dont know of anywhere that has their material other then purchasing the pdfs.
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I'm not sure if anybody's actually taken a stab at doing this (if so, please tell me so I don't waste a god awful amount of time on this project), but I'm planning on setting up a system for use in my group (and anybody else who wants to use the system) that functions similarly to how knowledge checks for monsters are treated in 4e.
Basically to identify a monster's "abilities and weaknesses" the DC is 10+creature's CR. (or 5/15+creature's CR, depending on the creature) Doing so reveals one piece of information. But the question is. What should the first piece of information reveal? Second? Third?
I was hoping to find some help establishing in which order that information about monsters should be uncovered. And what information should be grouped together.
Information revealed could include:
How many natural attacks the creature has, and what it's reach is.
What types of senses it has.
Ect.Any suggestions and thoughts on this matter would be much appreciated.
Color me confused, since that's exactly how the core Pathfinder Knowledge skills work.
Base DC = 10 + CR; if you make that, you identify the monster and get the Type, Subtype, and other basics.
DC is 5 + CR for common creatures (Goblins is the example used), while a DC of 15 + CR is suitable for more uncommon creatures (Tarrasque, I think, was the example).
For each 5 over the base DC in your check, you get another piece of information.
Where the core mechanics break down is exactly what you are asking for ... what is the baseline information and what is useful information to give for each additional 5 over the DC?
My baseline: Name, Type, Subtype, natural attacks (Claw, Bite, etc.)
Additional information (1 per 5 over the DC):
Senses
Special Attack #1 (Poison/Grab/Swallow Whole)
Defenses: DR
Special Attack #2
Defenses: SR
Defenses: Resistances
Defenses: Immunities
Special Attack #3
Defenses: Other (Auras, etc.)
Vulnerabilty #1
Vulnerabilit #2
Since that requires a result of up to 55 over the base DC, you can condense:
Base : Type, SubType, Name, Natural Attacks, Senses
Base + 5: Special Attacks (Poison, Grab, Swallow, etc.)
Base + 10: Defenses (DR, SR, Resistances or Immunites, Auras)
Base + 15: Vulnerabilities
This last breakout is be more than "1 useful piece of information" at a time, but it may also be more practical.
We keep it simple and let the players ask questions. Does it have DR/Cold Iron? Does it have fire resistance? Does it have Spell Resistance? Blindsense? Can it swallow whole? Does it have reach? Can it cast spells? Yes or no questions only. One question for the DC and 1 additional question for each 5 points over the DC. Sometimes it's frustrating to ask if it has DR and the answer is yes, but not know what type. But if you have a high enough roll you can see if it has a specific DR. Since most of the time players are looking for certain resistances or immunities, once they find out that the creature isn't resistant to their specific attack preference, they're happy.