Can't seem to get the interactive part to work; just looks like an example sheet to me.
It is an excel spreadsheet, so you'll need to download your own copy of it to play around with.
Thanks.
Though it's a little arcane without the instructions from the book.
It should hopefully be fairly self-explanatory, but I'm happy to answer any questions! =)
CR and size are the same terms, so focus is the odd portion. It simply equates the monster's role. An easy comparison is to character classes; arcane = sorcerer/wizard, divine = cleric/druid/oracle, soldier = fighter, barbaric = barbarian, skilled = bard/rogue. But this is naturally just a bonus sample for backers to play around with, since we can't release all of the rules for free.
I suppose I'll have to play around with it more: my confusion stems from not understanding which entries I can change.
Ah! Anything in the first tab and yellow is variable, with some examples set. Although you can change anything you want. If it seems to throw anything off you can just undo, not save, or even re-download.
It occurred to me that you have examples of monsters made higher in CR, but do you have any examples of any high CR monsters made low CR?
Because I can see this product being of particular use to people like E6 players who are normally cut off from experiencing the sorts of creatures that occur at high CR. (Though I suppose they won't have quite the same impact if you have to tone down their special abilities.)
We absolutely do, and the system lends itself well to doing exactly that sort of adjustment. Since every ability is broken down into a point system, it is easy to scale down most abilities to be more reasonable for lower levels. For example, off the top of my head, there is a scaled down retriever and some scaled down angels. They just aren't our first choice for the preview sample critters. That is only because a creature that is a lot like the normal creature but weaker isn't as "exciting" a concept, even if it is super useful.
But! Our newest update does show a preview of an adorable low-CR vermin with an Intelligence score - the Pet Spider!
In my blog I noted it as being a tsundere spider.
But yeah, there's a definite market for lower CR versions of traditionally high CR creatures. There's monsters for playing an E5 Beginner Box Campaign, Baby Tarrasques, and if there's a way to wiggle some familiar or animal companion stats from this, imagine having a tsundere giant spider animal companion or the baby tarrasque, or maybe an owlbear.
In my blog I noted it as being a tsundere spider.
But yeah, there's a definite market for lower CR versions of traditionally high CR creatures. There's monsters for playing an E5 Beginner Box Campaign, Baby Tarrasques, and if there's a way to wiggle some familiar or animal companion stats from this, imagine having a tsundere giant spider animal companion or the baby tarrasque, or maybe an owlbear.
I am certainly planning on including some animal companion and (improved) familiar rules since we hit the first stretch goal. It will be guidelines on how to use the rules to create them, but the base system's versatility should allow the creation of all sorts of cool low CR versions of different creatures which should fit the framework.
Folks, we're just a short way from the next stretch goal, where the Four Horsemen will have a say in how we think daemons should kill your player...ummm...impact your campaign! Ask your group to pitch in and get a print copy for your table!
Also, we headline today's Paizo Blog. Go check it out and give us some mention. Your support will create momentum that will give you more content for the pledge you've already made!
Less than 3 days to go!
The next stretch goal looks VERY in-reach!
We've made the Talented Daemons stretch goal! There is only ~30 hours to go to become a part of this amazing project and help us include the Bestiary 2!
This is close to hitting it's final stretch goal which will add a lot to the product. So if you have been sitting on the fence about this, now is the time to join. There is less than a day left & we can make it.
It was mentioned at some point that reduced-CR monsters weren't being previewed because they weren't exciting. Now that the project is funded maybe we could get some? Seeing as how you don't need to build up so much excitement any more.
That should be possible! Although it would be minus art and layout, so basically just a google document. I'll look at getting something pulled together early next week.
Dotted ^_^
