It's literally every single monster in the Monster Manual, including the animals in the animal appendix. For starters, it's incredibly comprehensive. That system works well, but it's odd that template monsters can get levels but ordinary creatures only get racial traits. The closest thing you get are acquired templates, which can have levels unto themselves, kind of like prestige classes. There are no "level adjustments" or "effective character level" or "monster classes" to let you play fleshed-out full-grown monsters. (Which is kind of weird for creatures like giants that are defined primarily by size.) For most monsters, this can be rationalized by claiming that the PC is a youngster of the species, or simply less experienced. For example, no monsters are Large sized the biggest they get is Medium. Instead, most monsters game mechanics are adjusted and watered-down.
For many monsters, it would be impossible for a PC to use a that stat block and be anywhere close to balanced. What it is not: A way to EXACTLY replicate monster statistics. Most notes offer suggestions for how to increase or decrease the race's power level if the race proves imbalanced in game-play. Better yet, it's highly transparent - detailed "design notes" accompany each monster, describing exactly how the race was priced, including discussion of alternatives for weird monster abilities. While this system isn't perfect, it's close enough to for D&D purposes. Each entry also includes role-playing advice with tips on how to integrate these weird creatures into the party.Įach race is built using a well-defined system of "racial build points" to eyeball game balance. You simply apply the racial traits the way you would any other playable races, like elf or human.
Yes, this includes the suicidal gas spore, the body-hopping intellect devourer, and the mighty tarrasque. What it is: Nearly 300 pages of playable races for every monster in the Monster Manual. I'd gladly welcome it at my table, warts and all - and I say this as someone who's generally skeptical of sketchily-balanced third-party supplements.
Monstrous Races is clearly a labor of love, showing the sort of dedication and forethought that helped make the RPG hobby what it is today.
0 kommentar(er)
