paizo.com Recent Posts in Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)paizo.com Recent Posts in Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)2021-02-09T19:14:26Z2021-02-09T19:14:26ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)Lorathornhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#892016-12-01T04:54:59Z2016-12-01T04:54:59Z<p>Reaper has cheap minis. Even if they stay colorless, they look neat. If you want to go super cheap, try printing out 1 inch portraits and using a 1 inch hole punch then gluing it to a bottle cap. I have 8 "prinny" demons on bottlecaps. I even got to deploy them in a battle.</p>Reaper has cheap minis. Even if they stay colorless, they look neat. If you want to go super cheap, try printing out 1 inch portraits and using a 1 inch hole punch then gluing it to a bottle cap. I have 8 "prinny" demons on bottlecaps. I even got to deploy them in a battle.Lorathorn2016-12-01T04:54:59ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)SmiloDan (RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#882016-12-01T04:05:01Z2016-12-01T04:05:01Z<p>I just wish the PC minis were more colorful. For NPC/monsters, I use pawns from Clue and Master Detective Clue. It's easier to say "the red one" instead of the "the orc with the falchion in both hands."</p>I just wish the PC minis were more colorful. For NPC/monsters, I use pawns from Clue and Master Detective Clue. It's easier to say "the red one" instead of the "the orc with the falchion in both hands."SmiloDan (RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32)2016-12-01T04:05:01ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)Lorathornhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#872016-12-01T01:55:39Z2016-12-01T01:55:39Z<p>I want to start doing printed 3d dungeons.</p>I want to start doing printed 3d dungeons.Lorathorn2016-12-01T01:55:39ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)SmiloDan (RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#862016-12-01T01:55:07Z2016-11-30T23:53:29Z<p>My group does theater of the mind for simple combats, but when I DM, there ARE NO simple combats! ;-)</p>
<p>Mapping is probably my favorite part of D&D. I like drawing them, I like looking at them, I like fighting and exploring on a map. I make continent maps, local maps, city maps, and dungeon maps (dungeon meaning any bounded interior space: haunted houses, actual dungeons, caves, topiary mazes, castles, clock towers, wizard towers, watch towers, ships, tombs, temples, etc. etc. But not yucky sewers!).</p>My group does theater of the mind for simple combats, but when I DM, there ARE NO simple combats! ;-)
Mapping is probably my favorite part of D&D. I like drawing them, I like looking at them, I like fighting and exploring on a map. I make continent maps, local maps, city maps, and dungeon maps (dungeon meaning any bounded interior space: haunted houses, actual dungeons, caves, topiary mazes, castles, clock towers, wizard towers, watch towers, ships, tombs, temples, etc. etc. But not yucky...SmiloDan (RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32)2016-11-30T23:53:29ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)Lorathornhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#852016-11-30T21:44:12Z2016-11-30T19:22:04Z<p>Ah, but you forget that they are actually making 5e a decidedly "theater of the mind" type game, spell formats notwithstanding.</p>
<p>Much of the comments on twitter (where most official Q&A seems to be happening) seem to point to this, but there is evidence of this in the core books as well.</p>
<p>That said, there is enough in the rules that supports map and mini, but they definitely seem to be hewing the other direction.</p>
<p>But even so, I am disappointed with the maps as well. Just seems like a lost opportunity. Not much to be done there. Again, this might be an opportunity for some better maps to be offered elsewhere, perhaps on the DMs Guild.</p>Ah, but you forget that they are actually making 5e a decidedly "theater of the mind" type game, spell formats notwithstanding.
Much of the comments on twitter (where most official Q&A seems to be happening) seem to point to this, but there is evidence of this in the core books as well.
That said, there is enough in the rules that supports map and mini, but they definitely seem to be hewing the other direction.
But even so, I am disappointed with the maps as well. Just seems like a lost...Lorathorn2016-11-30T19:22:04ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)SmiloDan (RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#842016-11-30T18:48:45Z2016-11-30T18:48:45Z<p>It just seemed lazy to me. It's a mapped-based game (even if it's supposedly "optional"), so their maps should at least be insightful if they're not going to be useable.</p>It just seemed lazy to me. It's a mapped-based game (even if it's supposedly "optional"), so their maps should at least be insightful if they're not going to be useable.SmiloDan (RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32)2016-11-30T18:48:45ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)Lorathornhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#832016-11-30T14:53:02Z2016-11-30T14:53:02Z<p>I think we need to see them less as "usable maps for an encounter" and more "templates for what to expect". Like a diagram of an ant colony out of a science book.</p>
<p>While I would have preferred something more usable, the 3PP companies seem to have a better handle on it, given that they are more likely to actually sell something printed or printable, at least.</p>I think we need to see them less as "usable maps for an encounter" and more "templates for what to expect". Like a diagram of an ant colony out of a science book.
While I would have preferred something more usable, the 3PP companies seem to have a better handle on it, given that they are more likely to actually sell something printed or printable, at least.Lorathorn2016-11-30T14:53:02ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)hiiamtomhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#822016-11-30T01:58:03Z2016-11-30T01:58:03Z<p>I like a few of them. The hag lairs are good, so is the war camp and mind flayer colony.</p>
<p>Now they're not <i>usable</i> per se, but I liked them.</p>I like a few of them. The hag lairs are good, so is the war camp and mind flayer colony.
Now they're not usable per se, but I liked them.hiiamtom2016-11-30T01:58:03ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)SmiloDan (RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#812016-11-30T01:35:55Z2016-11-30T01:35:55Z<p>I've finally gotten around to reading the fluff bits.</p>
<p>The fluff is pretty good.</p>
<p>But the maps are horrible! Are they just filler? They're not very interesting. Pretty much all of the Superstar maps have been better, and supposedly WotC hired a professional cartographer for these. Or at least used some extra maps a professional cartographer had lying around.</p>I've finally gotten around to reading the fluff bits.
The fluff is pretty good.
But the maps are horrible! Are they just filler? They're not very interesting. Pretty much all of the Superstar maps have been better, and supposedly WotC hired a professional cartographer for these. Or at least used some extra maps a professional cartographer had lying around.SmiloDan (RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32)2016-11-30T01:35:55ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)Threeshadeshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#802016-11-22T02:52:23Z2016-11-22T02:52:23Z<p>I've received my copy on my birthday, so I guess it was a present to myself. Have since made some changes to my project, so anyone who's interested can look forward to some extra variations of banderhobbs, redcaps, bodaks, cave fishers, girallons, giant striders, meenlocks, wood woads and xvarts, among many other things!</p>I've received my copy on my birthday, so I guess it was a present to myself. Have since made some changes to my project, so anyone who's interested can look forward to some extra variations of banderhobbs, redcaps, bodaks, cave fishers, girallons, giant striders, meenlocks, wood woads and xvarts, among many other things!Threeshades2016-11-22T02:52:23ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)Here4daFreeSwag (alias of c c)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#792016-11-22T02:24:21Z2016-11-22T02:24:21Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Petty Alchemy wrote:</div><blockquote> Release date coming up in a month, Wizards has posted a playable race preview for the <a href="http://media.wizards.com/2016/dnd/downloads/Volo_Firbolg107.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Firbolg</a>. </blockquote><p>Good to have some free 5e Firbolg previews. ;)Petty Alchemy wrote:Release date coming up in a month, Wizards has posted a playable race preview for the Firbolg.
Good to have some free 5e Firbolg previews. ;)Here4daFreeSwag (alias of c c)2016-11-22T02:24:21ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)SmiloDan (RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#782016-11-21T20:58:23Z2016-11-21T03:53:13Z<p>I got mine yesterday. Read a bunch of it already: The focus on beholders, gnolls (yay!), mindflyers, orcs, and yuan-ti (triple yay!), the new races (I really like them), the monsters, and the NPCs. </p>
<p>I'm going to have to go back and read the other featured monster entries. I really like gnoll support (demons, undead types, tying leucrotta to them, etc.</p>
<p>Before this came out, I came up with some updates of my own of some of the class creatures presented therein, and it was interesting to see how we designed them differently. In general, the WotC designs were simpler. </p>
<p>Also, I miss the art of Tony DiTerlizzi so much!</p>I got mine yesterday. Read a bunch of it already: The focus on beholders, gnolls (yay!), mindflyers, orcs, and yuan-ti (triple yay!), the new races (I really like them), the monsters, and the NPCs.
I'm going to have to go back and read the other featured monster entries. I really like gnoll support (demons, undead types, tying leucrotta to them, etc.
Before this came out, I came up with some updates of my own of some of the class creatures presented therein, and it was interesting to see...SmiloDan (RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32)2016-11-21T03:53:13ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)Werecorpsehttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#772016-11-15T08:18:13Z2016-11-14T09:58:41Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Threeshades wrote:</div><blockquote> The problem with mind flayers and beholders is the same as with using great Cthulhu in your campaign. They're way too iconic and well-known to be as strange and scary as they are supposed to be. </blockquote><p>I find the opposite. Because 5e is new but my players are all 30+ year veterans when a beholder showed up they freaked out. They didnt know exactly what it did but they knew it was bad news. They and the hobgoblins they were fighting all just split & ran. It was kinda meta game knowledge but it had the desired effect.Threeshades wrote:The problem with mind flayers and beholders is the same as with using great Cthulhu in your campaign. They're way too iconic and well-known to be as strange and scary as they are supposed to be.
I find the opposite. Because 5e is new but my players are all 30+ year veterans when a beholder showed up they freaked out. They didnt know exactly what it did but they knew it was bad news. They and the hobgoblins they were fighting all just split & ran. It was kinda meta game...Werecorpse2016-11-14T09:58:41ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)R_Chancehttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#762016-11-12T01:25:11Z2016-11-12T01:25:11Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Threeshades wrote:</div><blockquote> The problem with mind flayers and beholders is the same as with using great Cthulhu in your campaign. They're way too iconic and well-known to be as strange and scary as they are supposed to be. </blockquote><p>Even the most mundane monster can be strange and scary if played properly. Well, the evil ones anyway. The good can be wondrous, but not so scary...Threeshades wrote:The problem with mind flayers and beholders is the same as with using great Cthulhu in your campaign. They're way too iconic and well-known to be as strange and scary as they are supposed to be.
Even the most mundane monster can be strange and scary if played properly. Well, the evil ones anyway. The good can be wondrous, but not so scary...R_Chance2016-11-12T01:25:11ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)Kalshanehttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#752016-11-11T19:29:07Z2016-11-11T19:29:07Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Threeshades wrote:</div><blockquote> The problem with mind flayers and beholders is the same as with using great Cthulhu in your campaign. They're way too iconic and well-known to be as strange and scary as they are supposed to be. </blockquote><p>Critical Role managed to use both to great effect, though it helps that most of the players are in their first campaign.Threeshades wrote:The problem with mind flayers and beholders is the same as with using great Cthulhu in your campaign. They're way too iconic and well-known to be as strange and scary as they are supposed to be.
Critical Role managed to use both to great effect, though it helps that most of the players are in their first campaign.Kalshane2016-11-11T19:29:07ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)Raven Moonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#742016-11-11T10:26:34Z2016-11-11T04:56:13Z<p>I still have my 2E books on Mind Flayers and one on beholders. I still use them in my games for good info.</p>I still have my 2E books on Mind Flayers and one on beholders. I still use them in my games for good info.Raven Moon2016-11-11T04:56:13ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)SmiloDan (RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32)https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#732016-11-11T04:18:56Z2016-11-11T04:18:56Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Threeshades wrote:</div><blockquote> The problem with mind flayers and beholders is the same as with using great Cthulhu in your campaign. They're way too iconic and well-known to be as strange and scary as they are supposed to be. </blockquote><p>You gotta re-skin them for your experienced players. Make mindflayers look like daleks, and use the suction cups to suck out the brains. Make beholders look like medusas or floating giant skulls with magical crowns or something like a Pentacon or whatever those five-faced foes of the Transformers were called.
<p>EDIT:</p>
<p>I just realized the slake-moths from <i>Perdido Street Station</i> are mindflayers re-skinned with animal intelligence, xenomorph physiology, and flight.</p>Threeshades wrote:The problem with mind flayers and beholders is the same as with using great Cthulhu in your campaign. They're way too iconic and well-known to be as strange and scary as they are supposed to be.
You gotta re-skin them for your experienced players. Make mindflayers look like daleks, and use the suction cups to suck out the brains. Make beholders look like medusas or floating giant skulls with magical crowns or something like a Pentacon or whatever those five-faced foes of...SmiloDan (RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32)2016-11-11T04:18:56ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)Threeshadeshttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#722016-11-10T00:41:46Z2016-11-10T00:41:46Z<p>The problem with mind flayers and beholders is the same as with using great Cthulhu in your campaign. They're way too iconic and well-known to be as strange and scary as they are supposed to be.</p>The problem with mind flayers and beholders is the same as with using great Cthulhu in your campaign. They're way too iconic and well-known to be as strange and scary as they are supposed to be.Threeshades2016-11-10T00:41:46ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)EileenProphetofIstushttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#712016-11-09T22:00:44Z2016-11-09T22:00:44Z<p>Beholders and Mindflayers are the two monsters that I really do nothing with. I've used beholders as one shot monsters a few times in 35 years and probably never used the mind flayer at all. I'll read the extended information in detail and probably be more likely to give them a significant spot in my world since they are community oriented. I'd rather work with the material rather than ignore it. </p>
<p>As for the rest of the book, I was impressed. I would have rather had WOTC provide a full monster manual with the cultural details put into a second book. </p>
<p>I also picked up Tome of Beasts at my local gaming store. Very different monsters but an extensive book which I hope to get much use out of.</p>Beholders and Mindflayers are the two monsters that I really do nothing with. I've used beholders as one shot monsters a few times in 35 years and probably never used the mind flayer at all. I'll read the extended information in detail and probably be more likely to give them a significant spot in my world since they are community oriented. I'd rather work with the material rather than ignore it.
As for the rest of the book, I was impressed. I would have rather had WOTC provide a full...EileenProphetofIstus2016-11-09T22:00:44ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)Adjulehttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#702016-11-09T02:51:34Z2016-11-09T02:51:34Z<p>I would recommend it, though I have no use for a large portion of the first half of the book (beholders and illithids). I like most of the monsters in the last part, though some of the art has much to be desired (to me, at least). Nice to see some older monsters returning.</p>I would recommend it, though I have no use for a large portion of the first half of the book (beholders and illithids). I like most of the monsters in the last part, though some of the art has much to be desired (to me, at least). Nice to see some older monsters returning.Adjule2016-11-09T02:51:34ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)Aeshuurahttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#692016-11-09T02:35:45Z2016-11-09T02:35:45Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">P.H. Dungeon wrote:</div><blockquote> I've got the Volo's guide via roll20, and it's not really that realms specific. There's some good stuff in it- like monster lair maps and detailed info about various monster types that give some good adventure ideas, which in no way need to be tied to the realms setting. There's also plenty of cool new monsters (well most have been published in previous editions, so they aren't really that new). It's far less realms specific than say the sword coast adventurers guide was. </blockquote><p>I was wondering about that. I watched Matt Colville review the book, and he didn't really touch on that too much, just went over what was in there. I am really thinking about picking it up.P.H. Dungeon wrote:I've got the Volo's guide via roll20, and it's not really that realms specific. There's some good stuff in it- like monster lair maps and detailed info about various monster types that give some good adventure ideas, which in no way need to be tied to the realms setting. There's also plenty of cool new monsters (well most have been published in previous editions, so they aren't really that new). It's far less realms specific than say the sword coast adventurers guide was.
...Aeshuura2016-11-09T02:35:45ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)P.H. Dungeonhttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#682016-11-08T23:29:16Z2016-11-08T23:29:16Z<p>I've got the Volo's guide via roll20, and it's not really that realms specific. There's some good stuff in it- like monster lair maps and detailed info about various monster types that give some good adventure ideas, which in no way need to be tied to the realms setting. There's also plenty of cool new monsters (well most have been published in previous editions, so they aren't really that new). It's far less realms specific than say the sword coast adventurers guide was.</p>I've got the Volo's guide via roll20, and it's not really that realms specific. There's some good stuff in it- like monster lair maps and detailed info about various monster types that give some good adventure ideas, which in no way need to be tied to the realms setting. There's also plenty of cool new monsters (well most have been published in previous editions, so they aren't really that new). It's far less realms specific than say the sword coast adventurers guide was.P.H. Dungeon2016-11-08T23:29:16ZRe: Forums: 5th Edition (And Beyond): Volo’s Guide to Monsters (5E)Aeshuurahttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tp88&page=2?Volo-s-Guide-to-Monsters#672016-11-08T21:09:16Z2016-11-08T21:09:16Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Norman Osborne wrote:</div><blockquote> The grippli were in D&D products before a full two decades before Paizo existed. </blockquote><p>Then, I gots nuffin'. :)Norman Osborne wrote:The grippli were in D&D products before a full two decades before Paizo existed.
Then, I gots nuffin'. :)Aeshuura2016-11-08T21:09:16Z