As a fairly new GM, what is the best way for a monster to target an attack on multiple players in a party? If they are within attack range, should I roll a random number to see who gets attacked, or is it better to build up threat somehow and give more attention to the PC doing the most damage? If I've missed a rule please let me know. Thanks for any ideas or suggestions offered.
Really depends on how smart the monsters are. Dumb monsters should pick a target at random or attack whoever is closest.
But if you're talking smart monsters, they should tactically target the party in the manner that maximizes their chance of coming out on top (e.g. "shoot arrows at that guy who is obviously the wizard", "stop attacking that guy that I obviously cannot hurt.")
Wayi do is
mindless attacks whosever closest
regular monster or beast i do a random roll
smart enemies does what above poster said
Do what you think will make the most interesting fight.
I agree with the others. The best approach is to roleplay the enemy. (It is a roleplaying game, after all!) For some enemies that will be easier than others, and leaves the GM a lot of leeway to choose different behaviors by choosing different enemies. (i.e. Animals will attack whoever is closest to them, so if you want your front line characters attacked a lot, send animals.)
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Another thing to consider...try not to play monsters as if they have a hive mind (well, unless they actually do).
Monsters, like players, can also make poor decisions in a fight. Sometimes, let them purposefully make mistakes and describe what happens:
The ogre flies off in a rage, swinging at everything relentlessly (-4 To Hit/-2 AC).
Maybe a smart player will even consider taunting the ogre and eventually tiring him out to become fatigued).
If you do this, there is one thing to keep in mind: do not have creatures make mistakes only when things are going bad for the players. They will think you are holding back and are being wishy-washy.
I think everyone generally agrees on mindless monsters (whatever is closest).
For things with low intelligence, like animals, just do it randomly/closest/'tastiest' (have you ever tried picking full plate out of your teeth?), but have them switch to whoever just hit them in the rear with a greatsword.
For sentient creatures....it depends on intelligence. While anything above 10 INT/WIS should act as strategically as you find appropriate, I could easily see a 5 int orc barbarian charge at a reach weapon user (who also might have a brace weapon).
Generally, I am always a bit hesitant to rely on the idea that 'wizards just look like wizards' rather than 'some squishy weakling that probably hired those swordsmen since he can't defend himself at all'. I mean, that seems far more common than the standard 4 person adventuring party. And the existence of both divine casters and armor clad arcane caster such as bards and magi seem to counter the idea that casters are always the ones without armor.
But if you are using really intelligent creatures.... well, scouting is generally a very smart thing. Wait until the wizard starts casting buffs or some light cantrips or whatever before the enemies decide 'hey, that guy knows magic, maybe we should prioritize removing his kidneys so he doesn't throw around fireballs'. And that also gives the party a chance to roll perception checks to stop that kind of behavoir and tip them off on the fact they are being targeted. Occasionally having that happen seems like it would give a greater feeling of agency for the players.
Mindless creatures attack what is nearest.
Creatures with less than 8 intelligence tend to attack based on a percentile while using basic tactics themed to whatever it is.
Creatures with 9 or more intelligence go by appearance. Avoid people wearing full plate and go after people not wearing full plate. Is a person holding a shield and a weapon?
Having creatures go by appearance means that disguising items are actually useful. If your wizard looks like Havel the Rock then everything will avoid him like the plague, but if your Paladin looks like Gandalf then everything will attack him thinking he is going to be easy prey.