One of the things that I find difficult is dealing with monster/enemy stat blocks in Pathfinder. While I enjoy the game and I know my players enjoy all the mechanical fiddly bits associated with it, as a GM I make an effort to be able to improvise and run on the fly. "Old school" versions of the game -- AD&D, B/X and the like -- made this easy with much simpler stat blcoks, as well as an assumption that monsters worked on a different system than do PCs.
What follows is a basic system for statting and using monsters in a manner more consistent with the old style, for the sole purpose of making the job of the GM easier. Some inspiration is taken not only from the Old School, but also games like Castles and Crusades and even D&D 4E.
First off, I am using the monster design rules (founde here) as a basis for my math -- even though I am not sure the math actually works out. Second, I am doing my "conversion"/design work on creatures from Jade Regent, simply because I am running that AP right now and splitting my prep time resources is a bad idea.
My primary goal is to eliminate a good chunk of the random numbers inherent in a stat block and harken back to the Old School days where much of the information you needed to run a monster was in its Hit Dice. For this project, I have looked into using both CR and HD, and I keep falling back on the latter simply because the core information I want to stop worrying about (attack bonuses, saves, skills) are all based on HD values, not CR values.
Anyway, allow me to explain by example. Here's the Dire Corby. It's PF stat block can be found here. What I want is something that looks more like this:
DIRE CORBY (CR 1; 400 XP)
NE Medium Monstrous Humanoid
Move: 30 (climb 30)
HD(hp): 2(15)
AC/CMB: 13
Attacks: 2 claws (1d4+1)
Prime Save: Ref
Prime Abilities: Str, Dex
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60', Stalker
Special Attacks: Pounce, Rend (1d4+1)
Special Defense: Ferocity
Some explanations:
the die size of the HD does not matter; the hp are pulled from the linked chart
I want to avoid dealing with multiple layers of AC and would rather create a standard rule, something like a touch attack OR a flat footed attack penalizes AC by 1/2 AC-10
the "stalker" special quality is a universal monster rule element I will add, not unlike a 4E "role" that adds bonuses to specific rolls (stalker being +HD Perception and +HD stealth)
lots of use of universal monster rules, obviously
As to the missing information, it's tied up in HD. Initiative=+HD. Attack Bonus=+HDX1.5. Good Saves=+HD+2. Poor Saves=+HD/2. If a "skill roll" is needed, the creature makes an ability check. For a Prim ability, it is +HDx2, or just +HD for a non-prime. I am not sure whether this stuff should be put right in the stat block (which will gum it up) or if it should be on a handy dandy chart to hand on the GM screen.
The goal, of course, is to make life easier, not slavishly "convert" the PF info. You'll note, for example, I left out the necessary acrobatics check for the Dire Corby pounce ability. It is, IMO, a needless complication.
My next goal is to eliminate the "spell like ability" and simplify SLA-heavy creatures with unique and interesting powers. I will be freely examing and probably stealing from 4E for this.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
