4e stat block: Spined Devil

Consonant Dude · October 12, 2007, 04:02:22 PM

At last more information!

I haven't had the chance to let it sink in but my initial impression is favorable. Next to a 3e stat block, the streamlining is fairly obvious and nice to see.

Of course, some of the simplifications are due to loss of special abilities. I'd like to see complex creatures just for fun. But that looks good to me!

JamesV · October 12, 2007, 04:15:02 PM

It is really sweet. I am super pleased that things have been slimmed down in this way.

OTOH, do my eyes decieve me, or does a 19 STR confer a +9 bonus??!??!?

Consonant Dude · October 12, 2007, 04:22:52 PM

Quote from: JamesVOTOH, do my eyes decieve me, or does a 19 STR confer a +9 bonus??!??!?

The stats read:

STR +7 (19)
CON +5 (14)
DEX + 5 (15)
INT +5 (15)
WIS +5 (14)
CHA +5 (15)

The speculation on other boards vary. But what I've heard is that the base stat bonus are the same, except you get an additional bonus of half your level. Since this is a level 6 skirmisher, this would make an added +3 and map exactly with old 3e base bonus (a 19 was +4 and a 14-15 was +2).

JamesV · October 12, 2007, 04:26:04 PM

Quote from: Consonant DudeThe speculation on other boards vary. But what I've heard is that the base stat bonus are the same, except you get an additional bonus of half your level. Since this is a level 6 skirmisher, this would make an added +3 and map exactly with old 3e base bonus (a 19 was +4 and a 14-15 was +2).

That would be an elegant solution instead of throwing in every skill you think may be important for monsters. I hope that's what they're going for, and sice that's pretty similar to Star Wars Saga, I find it likely.

Consonant Dude · October 12, 2007, 04:46:35 PM

Quote from: JamesVThat would be an elegant solution instead of throwing in every skill you think may be important for monsters. I hope that's what they're going for, and sice that's pretty similar to Star Wars Saga, I find it likely.

We completely agree, James. Skill shopping lists are a boring task I can do without. Just throw a few "specialty skills" if needed, for particular strengths and be done with it.

beejazz · October 12, 2007, 04:57:25 PM

Quote from: Consonant DudeThe stats read:

STR +7 (19)
CON +5 (14)
DEX + 5 (15)
INT +5 (15)
WIS +5 (14)
CHA +5 (15)

The speculation on other boards vary. But what I've heard is that the base stat bonus are the same, except you get an additional bonus of half your level. Since this is a level 6 skirmisher, this would make an added +3 and map exactly with old 3e base bonus (a 19 was +4 and a 14-15 was +2).

Couldn't they just add +1 to ability scores per level and have the same results as far as modifiers go?

jhkim · October 12, 2007, 05:07:40 PM

Where's the image from? Is there any further context or explanation?

estar · October 12, 2007, 05:36:22 PM

The simplification is the result of the five round philosophy. Basically give a creature something cool to do for five rounds or so.

I had an argument about this over the stat blocks in Badabaskor and lost. This aspect of 4.0 is a win for me.

Cab · October 12, 2007, 05:40:10 PM

Less stat block than 3rd ed, which is a good thing. Still more than should be needed though.

Consonant Dude · October 12, 2007, 05:55:34 PM

Quote from: jhkimWhere's the image from? Is there any further context or explanation?

I picked it up from ENWorld/RPG.net. It's apparently a card from some tournament event or something. This is the backside of a D&D mini card, which lists the roleplaying stats of a creature.

Consonant Dude · October 12, 2007, 05:59:10 PM

Quote from: beejazzCouldn't they just add +1 to ability scores per level and have the same results as far as modifiers go?

Unless I don't understand what you mean, mathematically, it's impossible to get the same results. They probably wanted to avoid bigger numbers, especially with a 1-30 level progression.

TonyLB · October 12, 2007, 06:25:40 PM

Quote from: Consonant DudeI picked it up from ENWorld/RPG.net. It's apparently a card from some tournament event or something. This is the backside of a D&D mini card, which lists the roleplaying stats of a creature.

I would not say "no" to decks of such pretty and useful cards, arranged by theme, and sold at an inflated-but-doable price along the model of CCG expansions.

obryn · October 12, 2007, 06:30:29 PM

Man, I hope they combine Listen and Spot as they did in SWSE... Sadly, it doesn't look like it from that card.

OTOH, if the stat bonuses are working as guessed, I can get behind that. Good idea.

-O

One Horse Town · October 12, 2007, 06:36:57 PM

I nearly posted a link to this earlier, but didn't, because my initial thoughts were negative. It's great that the stat line is simpler. I'm all for that, but something about it doesn't jive with me. It might be irational, but the presentation of the two cards seems off for starters, before you even compare the two sets of stats. The 4e one just looks like it's been sucked of its flavour. No picture (like i said, a bit irational) for starters. I dunno, it seems more like a CCG card than the stat block for a meaningful opponent. I'm sure that the full entry in the MM will add bits of flavour, but i was sort of meh when i saw it. I wait to be proved wrong when the stuff actually comes out.

Consonant Dude · October 12, 2007, 06:41:29 PM

Quote from: TonyLBI would not say "no" to decks of such pretty and useful cards, arranged by theme, and sold at an inflated-but-doable price along the model of CCG expansions.

I'm not up to date on mini stuff, but isn't that what they currently do with 3rd edition?

If I understand the concept right, you get a bunch of minis, along with cards. On one side of the card you have the rules for the mini game and on the other side, the rules for the RPG.

I'm not stating this, mind you. I'm asking. That was my understanding of how things worked but I have zero interest in miniatures of any kind.

PS: Of course, to get the cards, you need to purchase the minis. Which is a bummer. But if all you want is cards, you could easily make up a template, fill it up for each creature and stick it to an OOP, cheap CCG set.