Giant in the Playground Forums - View Single Post - That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II

LOTRfan · 02-11-2011, 07:05 PM

So, we've all heard the horror stories of a particular book. The book whose creatures, with the CR currently assigned to them, would either be so tough that they rip right through PCs, or so weak that they die in droves. Among the most complained about books in all of 3.X edition, the Monster Manual II.

In this thread, I intend to read through and summarize every monster entry in the book, from overpowered to underpowered (and even the few in between). In addition, I intend to work with participating posters to come up with new Challenge Ratings for every creature in this book.

Currently, I expect to update every Monday and Friday. There will be three chapters, just like the book: Monsters, Templates, and Bonus OGL monsters.

So, anyone interested?

EDIT: 3.5 adjustments to the 3.0 stats will be marked in red.

I will be using the Vorpal Tribble's CR calculator to determine the base CR. For those who don't know it:

Spoiler

Chapter I: Monsters
Abeil
Ash Rat
Asperi
Automaton
Avolakia
Banshee
Bladeling
Blood Ape
Boggle
Bogun
Bone Naga
Bone Ooze
Braxat
Breathdrinker
Bronze Serpent
Catoblepas
Celestials
Chain Golem
Chaos Roc
Cloaked Ape
Clockwork Horror
Cloud Ray
Corollax
Corpse Gatherer
Crimson Death
Darkmantle

Chapter II: Templates

Chapter III: OGL Monsters

Bonus Monsters (Not in the MMII, but terribly CRed)
Monstrous Crab

02-11-2011, 07:05 PM	Top - End - #1
LOTRfan Ogre in the Playground Join Date: Oct 2009	That's ONLY CR 9??? Let's Read: The Monster Manual II So, we've all heard the horror stories of a particular book. The book whose creatures, with the CR currently assigned to them, would either be so tough that they rip right through PCs, or so weak that they die in droves. Among the most complained about books in all of 3.X edition, the Monster Manual II. In this thread, I intend to read through and summarize every monster entry in the book, from overpowered to underpowered (and even the few in between). In addition, I intend to work with participating posters to come up with new Challenge Ratings for every creature in this book. Currently, I expect to update every Monday and Friday. There will be three chapters, just like the book: Monsters, Templates, and Bonus OGL monsters. So, anyone interested? EDIT: 3.5 adjustments to the 3.0 stats will be marked in red. I will be using the Vorpal Tribble's CR calculator to determine the base CR. For those who don't know it: Spoiler #1. Divide creature's average HP by 4.5 to 6.5. 4.5 for 5 HD or lower, 5 for 6-10 HD, 5.5 for 11-15 HD, 6 for 16-20 HD., 6.5 for 20-25 HD. #2. Add 1 for each five points above 10 its AC is, subtracting 1 for every 5 below. #3. Add 1 for each special attack (+2 to +5 or more if its got a decent number of spells in its spell-like abilities). #4. Add 1 for each quality unless you deem it worthy of more. Add 1 for each resistance and 10 points of DR it has, and 2 for each immunity. Subtract 1 for each vulnerability. #5. Add 1 for every two bonus feats it has. #6. Divide total by 3. This should be its rough CR Chapter I: Monsters Abeil Ash Rat Asperi Automaton Avolakia Banshee Bladeling Blood Ape Boggle Bogun Bone Naga Bone Ooze Braxat Breathdrinker Bronze Serpent Catoblepas Celestials Chain Golem Chaos Roc Cloaked Ape Clockwork Horror Cloud Ray Corollax Corpse Gatherer Crimson Death Darkmantle Chapter II: Templates Chapter III: OGL Monsters Bonus Monsters (Not in the MMII, but terribly CRed) Monstrous Crab __________________ Extended Homebrew Signature Let's Read the Monster Manual II! Dwarf Cleric avatar by azuyomi244. Thanks! Saurial Soulknife avatar by Serpentine. Thanks! Warforged Fighter Avatar by C-Lam. Thanks! Last edited by LOTRfan : 06-28-2011 at 07:32 PM.