A basic question [Archive] - Wizards Community

A basic question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
metabesk
02-04-07, 12:48 PM I see some monster specs on some adventures like above which i don't understand some of the abbreviations, could someone help me?

I'm sorry if i ask this kind of question again because the forum doesnt have a search feature.

DHobgoblin Raiders (2): Male hobgoblin
warrior 1; CR 1/2; Medium humanoid (goblinoid); HD
1d8+2; hp 6, 7; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 15, touch 11, flatfooted
14; Base Atk +1; Grp +2; Atk or Full Atk +2 melee
(1d6+1/19–20, short sword) or +2 ranged (1d6+1,
javelin); SQ darkvision 60 ft.; AL CE; SV Fort +4, Ref +1,
Will –1; Str 13, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 8.
Skills and Feats: Hide +1, Listen +2, Move Silently +3,
Spot +2; Alertness.
Calmar
02-04-07, 01:05 PM Hobgoblin Raiders (2): How the guy is called; her, his or their name(s), job, or nature and their number. E.g. Grunz Skullreaper, Elven Skymage, or Fiendish Troll. In your example there are two hobgoblin raiders. :)
CR 1/2: Challenge Rating.
Medium humanoid (goblinoid): Size and creature type (subtype)
HD: Hit Dice...
hp: ...and hit points.
Init: Initiative.
AC: Armor class.
Base Atk, Atk and Full Atk: Base attack bonus, the monsters standard attack and their full round attack.
Grp: THe creature's grapple modifier.
SQ: Special qualities. What unusual thing is it able to do.
AL CE: Alignment + abbreviation of the creature's alignment.
SV Fort +4, Ref +1,Will –1: Saves. Fortitude, Reflex, Will and their respective modifiers.
Str, Dex, Con, Int, Wis, Cha: The abilities.

I hope that's what you want to know. :)
metabesk
02-04-07, 02:15 PM Thanks a lot. Yes you help very much.
But:

1)Challange rating? i didn't hear that what does it effect. What does it mean by saying cr 1/2?

2)for example init +1 means that i roll 1d20+1 for initiative ?

3)Here is AC=15 but it's different when touch and flatfooted? What do they mean by flatfooted and touch?

4)What are the differences with base attack,standard attack anf fulle round attack?

5)How does Grapple applies? For example the monster tries to grip one of the PC? and this is the check bonus against reflex save of the PC?

6)And like init +1, move silently +3 means that d20+3 to check against PC's spot check?

And one more question, i know it was a long question and i bother you but these are the very principles of the combat side of the game but rulebook doesn't mention about these rules clearly so my last question:

7)About saving throws: fortitude reflex and will , are they used when for example PC casts a speel to a monster and monster make this check with d20+appripriate saving throw bonus to get half damage? Or Are they used against melee and ranged attack also?

Thanks in advance a lot.
maynardjkeenan
02-04-07, 03:37 PM The PHB and DM´s Guide are both handy dandy.. :)
metabesk
02-05-07, 11:16 AM ok snobby :)

But if i found out what i want to know in these books, i won't ask here right?
Red_Wizard
02-05-07, 12:17 PM 1)Challange rating? i didn't hear that what does it effect. What does it mean by saying cr 1/2?

That means that it is a really weak creature alone, and would be half of a normal challenge for a part of 4 first level adventurers. Thus 2 of these creatures would be CR 1, and so something that a DM might throw a beggining parties way.

2)for example init +1 means that i roll 1d20+1 for initiative ?

Yes. This is based off of your Dexterity Bonus, and can be improved through the feat Improved Initiative at almost any time a feat is available to you.

3)Here is AC=15 but it's different when touch and flatfooted? What do they mean by flatfooted and touch?

Touch means that when someone is trying to touch the creature, they roll against the creatures Changed AC, that does not include the armor bonus.

Flat footed means you have caught your opponent by surprise, and they can not twist out of the way, so they lose their Dex bonus to AC.

Summed up. Touch = 10 + Dex, FlatFooted = 10 + Armor

Miscelaneous modifiers may eventually apply, but those don't need to be covered as base.

4)What are the differences with base attack,standard attack anf fulle round attack?

Base attack is the modifier that increase with a characters progression in a class, or a species improvement as it ages. These numbers can be seen in the PHB for each individual class under the header "Base"

Standard attack is an attack made with a standard action. On your turn you have two things you can do, Move, and make a standard attack. (this generally means that in the 6 second round, you spend 2 seconds moving, and 4 seconds fighting. A standard action doesn't always have to be an attack, just something that is longer than a move action, but shorter than a full round action. In a standard action, you can never make a full attack ie: multiple attacks. (this only applies at higher levels, when your BAB is 6+)

A full round action is an action that takes the full round to complete. This could be any number of things from certain spells, to multiple attacks, to running. You need to use the core books to discern what would qualify as this.

5)How does Grapple applies? For example the monster tries to grip one of the PC? and this is the check bonus against reflex save of the PC?

First the person innitiating the Grapple must make a touch attack against the creature to be grappled. Then, the two must make opposed STR checks to see if the grapple can be maintained, or if the opponent breaks free.

6)And like init +1, move silently +3 means that d20+3 to check against PC's spot check?

Yes.

And one more question, i know it was a long question and i bother you but these are the very principles of the combat side of the game but rulebook doesn't mention about these rules clearly so my last question:

I stonrgly disagree. Everything you have asked here is covered very clearly in the PHB, and again in varied (generally increased) detail in the DMG. Also, if you do not own these books, you can find all the answers online in the SRD.

Also, the Forgotten Realms forum is not really the place for DnD specific questions. In the future checking the DnD specific forum would be better, and provided faster responces.

7)About saving throws: fortitude reflex and will , are they used when for example PC casts a speel to a monster and monster make this check with d20+appripriate saving throw bonus to get half damage? Or Are they used against melee and ranged attack also?

Thanks in advance a lot.

Depending on the situation, is when they are used. But yes, as a base it is D20+ relevant modifier. Spells make use of these varied saves frequently, but other things will arise such as Reflex for leaping away from trap doors you have sprung, Fortitude for poisons or diseases you might contract, and Will saves against particularily unsettling things you might see, or creatures attempting to gain control of you mind via Psionics.
slainethehornedgod
02-05-07, 12:41 PM Most of the info you're looking for is in the PHB or DMG. Let me point you in the right directions...

1)Challange rating? i didn't hear that what does it effect. What does it mean by saying cr 1/2?
Challange rating, or CR, is a measure of the challange of a particular monster or encounter. In your case each hobgoblin has a CR of 1/2. This means when your players defeat the creatures they should recieve experience for the monster as according to Table 2-6 on page 38 of the DMG [Dungeon Masters Guide v3.5] and then divided by the number of players that participated in the encounter.
For a fraction like 1/2 you would divide the total you find in the CR 1 column by half first.
As a general rule of thumb an CR equal to the average level of the players characters, or PC's, should be a challanging but not deadly encounter. The lower the CR the easier the encounter and the higher the more dangerous.
Gauging the combined CR of an encounter with multible creatures is a fine art for DMs and is not something easily explained. I will give/find you more information on this subject if you request.

2)for example init +1 means that i roll 1d20+1 for initiative ?
Yes, that is correct. An initiative roll is a Dexterity ability check found on page 5 of the PHB [Players Handbook v3.5]. You may find more information on initiative on page 136 of the PHB.

3)Here is AC=15 but it's different when touch and flatfooted? What do they mean by flatfooted and touch?
Flat footed, found on page 137 of the PHB, is when your character loses his dexterity bonus to AC. Several conditions can cause a character to become flat footed in which case you would use the flat footed AC.
Touch AC is for use against touch attacks, found on page 136 of the PHB, which basically cause a character to lose armor and natural armor bonuses to AC.

4)What are the differences with base attack,standard attack anf fulle round attack?Base attack, page 22 of the PHB, is a character's base unmodified attack bonus. A standard attack is an attack made using a standard action, page 139 of the PHB. A full attack is an attack made using a full action, page 143 of the PHB.

5)How does Grapple applies? For example the monster tries to grip one of the PC? and this is the check bonus against reflex save of the PC?

There is no save as part of a grapple. You may find the rules on grappling on page 155-156 of the PHB.

6)And like init +1, move silently +3 means that d20+3 to check against PC's spot check?
Yes. The rules on skills checks start on page 62 of the PHB.

7)About saving throws: fortitude reflex and will , are they used when for example PC casts a speel to a monster and monster make this check with d20+appripriate saving throw bonus to get half damage? Or Are they used against melee and ranged attack also?
Saving throws are made for a variety of reasons but only when the rules specifically call for one. Usually only a spell, trap, monster special ability or poison require a save. Info on saves starts on page 136 of the PHB.
metabesk
02-06-07, 03:58 PM Thanks Slaine and Red Wizard. You were very helpful.

Especially Slaine that was what i want, to be redirected.

Sorry that i asked these questions in forgotten realms forum but this is the world which i love the most.
slainethehornedgod
02-06-07, 08:44 PM Your welcome Metabesk! :D

I think people can forget how hard D&D can be for beginners. Post further rules questions in the D&D General forum and I'll be happy to help you out.

Happy gaming!

One final helpful hint: The statistic block for creatures is explained on page 85 of the DMG.
MerrikCale
02-08-07, 01:22 PM I think people can forget how hard D&D can be for beginners. Post further rules questions in the D&D General forum and I'll be happy to help you out.

No kidding I started over 20 years ago with 1e and I find myself saying "huh?" occassionally.
MarkusTay63
02-08-07, 01:26 PM Thank gawd he didn't start with 2e, my eye still twitches when I think of THACOS! :twitch:
bitter thorn
02-10-07, 11:46 PM I think you might find these links helpful also.

http://www.d20srd.org/

http://realmshelps.dandello.net/

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
metabesk 02-04-07, 12:48 PM	I see some monster specs on some adventures like above which i don't understand some of the abbreviations, could someone help me? I'm sorry if i ask this kind of question again because the forum doesnt have a search feature. DHobgoblin Raiders (2): Male hobgoblin warrior 1; CR 1/2; Medium humanoid (goblinoid); HD 1d8+2; hp 6, 7; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 15, touch 11, flatfooted 14; Base Atk +1; Grp +2; Atk or Full Atk +2 melee (1d6+1/19–20, short sword) or +2 ranged (1d6+1, javelin); SQ darkvision 60 ft.; AL CE; SV Fort +4, Ref +1, Will –1; Str 13, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 8. Skills and Feats: Hide +1, Listen +2, Move Silently +3, Spot +2; Alertness.
Calmar 02-04-07, 01:05 PM	Hobgoblin Raiders (2): How the guy is called; her, his or their name(s), job, or nature and their number. E.g. Grunz Skullreaper, Elven Skymage, or Fiendish Troll. In your example there are two hobgoblin raiders. :) CR 1/2: Challenge Rating. Medium humanoid (goblinoid): Size and creature type (subtype) HD: Hit Dice... hp: ...and hit points. Init: Initiative. AC: Armor class. Base Atk, Atk and Full Atk: Base attack bonus, the monsters standard attack and their full round attack. Grp: THe creature's grapple modifier. SQ: Special qualities. What unusual thing is it able to do. AL CE: Alignment + abbreviation of the creature's alignment. SV Fort +4, Ref +1,Will –1: Saves. Fortitude, Reflex, Will and their respective modifiers. Str, Dex, Con, Int, Wis, Cha: The abilities. I hope that's what you want to know. :)
metabesk 02-04-07, 02:15 PM	Thanks a lot. Yes you help very much. But: 1)Challange rating? i didn't hear that what does it effect. What does it mean by saying cr 1/2? 2)for example init +1 means that i roll 1d20+1 for initiative ? 3)Here is AC=15 but it's different when touch and flatfooted? What do they mean by flatfooted and touch? 4)What are the differences with base attack,standard attack anf fulle round attack? 5)How does Grapple applies? For example the monster tries to grip one of the PC? and this is the check bonus against reflex save of the PC? 6)And like init +1, move silently +3 means that d20+3 to check against PC's spot check? And one more question, i know it was a long question and i bother you but these are the very principles of the combat side of the game but rulebook doesn't mention about these rules clearly so my last question: 7)About saving throws: fortitude reflex and will , are they used when for example PC casts a speel to a monster and monster make this check with d20+appripriate saving throw bonus to get half damage? Or Are they used against melee and ranged attack also? Thanks in advance a lot.
maynardjkeenan 02-04-07, 03:37 PM	The PHB and DM´s Guide are both handy dandy.. :)
metabesk 02-05-07, 11:16 AM	ok snobby :) But if i found out what i want to know in these books, i won't ask here right?
Red_Wizard 02-05-07, 12:17 PM	1)Challange rating? i didn't hear that what does it effect. What does it mean by saying cr 1/2? That means that it is a really weak creature alone, and would be half of a normal challenge for a part of 4 first level adventurers. Thus 2 of these creatures would be CR 1, and so something that a DM might throw a beggining parties way. 2)for example init +1 means that i roll 1d20+1 for initiative ? Yes. This is based off of your Dexterity Bonus, and can be improved through the feat Improved Initiative at almost any time a feat is available to you. 3)Here is AC=15 but it's different when touch and flatfooted? What do they mean by flatfooted and touch? Touch means that when someone is trying to touch the creature, they roll against the creatures Changed AC, that does not include the armor bonus. Flat footed means you have caught your opponent by surprise, and they can not twist out of the way, so they lose their Dex bonus to AC. Summed up. Touch = 10 + Dex, FlatFooted = 10 + Armor Miscelaneous modifiers may eventually apply, but those don't need to be covered as base. 4)What are the differences with base attack,standard attack anf fulle round attack? Base attack is the modifier that increase with a characters progression in a class, or a species improvement as it ages. These numbers can be seen in the PHB for each individual class under the header "Base" Standard attack is an attack made with a standard action. On your turn you have two things you can do, Move, and make a standard attack. (this generally means that in the 6 second round, you spend 2 seconds moving, and 4 seconds fighting. A standard action doesn't always have to be an attack, just something that is longer than a move action, but shorter than a full round action. In a standard action, you can never make a full attack ie: multiple attacks. (this only applies at higher levels, when your BAB is 6+) A full round action is an action that takes the full round to complete. This could be any number of things from certain spells, to multiple attacks, to running. You need to use the core books to discern what would qualify as this. 5)How does Grapple applies? For example the monster tries to grip one of the PC? and this is the check bonus against reflex save of the PC? First the person innitiating the Grapple must make a touch attack against the creature to be grappled. Then, the two must make opposed STR checks to see if the grapple can be maintained, or if the opponent breaks free. 6)And like init +1, move silently +3 means that d20+3 to check against PC's spot check? Yes. And one more question, i know it was a long question and i bother you but these are the very principles of the combat side of the game but rulebook doesn't mention about these rules clearly so my last question: I stonrgly disagree. Everything you have asked here is covered very clearly in the PHB, and again in varied (generally increased) detail in the DMG. Also, if you do not own these books, you can find all the answers online in the SRD. Also, the Forgotten Realms forum is not really the place for DnD specific questions. In the future checking the DnD specific forum would be better, and provided faster responces. 7)About saving throws: fortitude reflex and will , are they used when for example PC casts a speel to a monster and monster make this check with d20+appripriate saving throw bonus to get half damage? Or Are they used against melee and ranged attack also? Thanks in advance a lot. Depending on the situation, is when they are used. But yes, as a base it is D20+ relevant modifier. Spells make use of these varied saves frequently, but other things will arise such as Reflex for leaping away from trap doors you have sprung, Fortitude for poisons or diseases you might contract, and Will saves against particularily unsettling things you might see, or creatures attempting to gain control of you mind via Psionics.
slainethehornedgod 02-05-07, 12:41 PM	Most of the info you're looking for is in the PHB or DMG. Let me point you in the right directions... 1)Challange rating? i didn't hear that what does it effect. What does it mean by saying cr 1/2? Challange rating, or CR, is a measure of the challange of a particular monster or encounter. In your case each hobgoblin has a CR of 1/2. This means when your players defeat the creatures they should recieve experience for the monster as according to Table 2-6 on page 38 of the DMG [Dungeon Masters Guide v3.5] and then divided by the number of players that participated in the encounter. For a fraction like 1/2 you would divide the total you find in the CR 1 column by half first. As a general rule of thumb an CR equal to the average level of the players characters, or PC's, should be a challanging but not deadly encounter. The lower the CR the easier the encounter and the higher the more dangerous. Gauging the combined CR of an encounter with multible creatures is a fine art for DMs and is not something easily explained. I will give/find you more information on this subject if you request. 2)for example init +1 means that i roll 1d20+1 for initiative ? Yes, that is correct. An initiative roll is a Dexterity ability check found on page 5 of the PHB [Players Handbook v3.5]. You may find more information on initiative on page 136 of the PHB. 3)Here is AC=15 but it's different when touch and flatfooted? What do they mean by flatfooted and touch? Flat footed, found on page 137 of the PHB, is when your character loses his dexterity bonus to AC. Several conditions can cause a character to become flat footed in which case you would use the flat footed AC. Touch AC is for use against touch attacks, found on page 136 of the PHB, which basically cause a character to lose armor and natural armor bonuses to AC. 4)What are the differences with base attack,standard attack anf fulle round attack?Base attack, page 22 of the PHB, is a character's base unmodified attack bonus. A standard attack is an attack made using a standard action, page 139 of the PHB. A full attack is an attack made using a full action, page 143 of the PHB. 5)How does Grapple applies? For example the monster tries to grip one of the PC? and this is the check bonus against reflex save of the PC? There is no save as part of a grapple. You may find the rules on grappling on page 155-156 of the PHB. 6)And like init +1, move silently +3 means that d20+3 to check against PC's spot check? Yes. The rules on skills checks start on page 62 of the PHB. 7)About saving throws: fortitude reflex and will , are they used when for example PC casts a speel to a monster and monster make this check with d20+appripriate saving throw bonus to get half damage? Or Are they used against melee and ranged attack also? Saving throws are made for a variety of reasons but only when the rules specifically call for one. Usually only a spell, trap, monster special ability or poison require a save. Info on saves starts on page 136 of the PHB.
metabesk 02-06-07, 03:58 PM	Thanks Slaine and Red Wizard. You were very helpful. Especially Slaine that was what i want, to be redirected. Sorry that i asked these questions in forgotten realms forum but this is the world which i love the most.
slainethehornedgod 02-06-07, 08:44 PM	Your welcome Metabesk! :D I think people can forget how hard D&D can be for beginners. Post further rules questions in the D&D General forum and I'll be happy to help you out. Happy gaming! One final helpful hint: The statistic block for creatures is explained on page 85 of the DMG.
MerrikCale 02-08-07, 01:22 PM	I think people can forget how hard D&D can be for beginners. Post further rules questions in the D&D General forum and I'll be happy to help you out. No kidding I started over 20 years ago with 1e and I find myself saying "huh?" occassionally.
MarkusTay63 02-08-07, 01:26 PM	Thank gawd he didn't start with 2e, my eye still twitches when I think of THACOS! :twitch:
bitter thorn 02-10-07, 11:46 PM	I think you might find these links helpful also. http://www.d20srd.org/ http://realmshelps.dandello.net/