Monster Optimization Board - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Monster Optimization Board

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
sotp_seamus
Mar 12, 2010 23:49:50 Inspired by Sly Flourish's article, I think we should totally have a Monnster/Encounter Optimization Forum.

Why should players have all the fun? This would also help new DMs develop strategies to use in their own games to make the game more fun and chellenging for all.
#2
generalhenry
Mar 13, 2010 0:28:23
PCs have clear creation rules

monsters. . . don't

So while it's useful it's no where near as straight forward
#3
sotp_seamus
Mar 13, 2010 9:43:21 Clearly, it wouldn't be just about number crunching. It would be the place for DMs to get together and create challenging encounters using the monsters that exist in comjunction with monsters tweaked out with the Monster Builder.

For an example, read this blog: Pimp My Mind Flayer

If more DMs start doing this, the level of challenge can go from watching characters mop the floor with everything they see, to having real consequences for failure, when failure becomes a much more solid possibility.

That's why I think we need a forum for this.
#4
sotp_seamus
Mar 13, 2010 21:34:13 Also, it should be noted that due to the fact that it's not that straight-forward, people should want to discuss it, and have a place to do so.
#5
Seeker95
Mar 14, 2010 6:54:18
Also, it should be noted that due to the fact that it's not that straight-forward, people should want to discuss it, and have a place to do so.

They have four places to do so already.
Races and Monsters

What's a DM to Do?

Homebrew

Campaign Workshop

Given how few "pimp my monster" threads there are across all four of these boards, I don't see the advantage of making a special board for them.

(I'm not objecting to the Board idea. Just seeing little evidence for its necessity.)
#6
sotp_seamus
Mar 14, 2010 13:57:10
You make a very good point. There are four places where a DM can discuss this sort of thing. Consider though, that players have many more places to discuss their needs:

What's a Player to do?
Role: Controller
Role: Striker
Role: Defender
Role: Leader
Character Development

On top of these, they have the very specific Character Optimization forum. Plus, just because there are these other places, doesn't mean that any of them are a good place for this particular line of discussion. Also, it might be a good idea to do Monster Op as a sub-forum for the Campaign/Adventure Workshop forum.

I just really enjoyed the idea of SlyFlourish's post, and I think the potential to discuss this sort of thing can really bring out the best (and/or worst) in the DM community.
#7
calronmoonflower
Mar 14, 2010 15:07:19
Consider though, that players have many more places to discuss their needs:

Bad standard. Instead you should look at what the extra forum would add.
#8
wangatoo
Mar 14, 2010 18:54:33 i kind of liked this thread idea, as a dm that is slowly gaining competence this kind of thing would be incredibly helpful
#9
sotp_seamus
Mar 14, 2010 19:22:46
Bad standard. Instead you should look at what the extra forum would add.

I thought I had made it clear, but in case I hadn't, this new froum idea would be the place where DMs could meet to optimize their monsters and encounters, so that they can make encounters more challenging (and, by extension, more entertaining) for the players that are working together very strongly.

It's a great thought experiment, too.
#10
wrecan
Mar 15, 2010 14:55:30
You make a very good point. There are four places where a DM can discuss this sort of thing. Consider though, that players have many more places to discuss their needs

There is no inherent reason DMs should get as many forums as players. In fact, there's a pretty good reason why they don't: generally, players outnumber DMs by a margin of 4:1 or more.

Now, perhaps DMs frequent these forums in disproportionate numbers. But based on forum traffic that doesn't seem to be the case.

Generallty, new forums are justified based on traffic, not simply because someone devises a neat topic. However, if you think a separate Monster Optimization board is worthwhile, you can create a Monster Optimization Group, which will have its own forums. You can also ask Leichenreiter to create a Monster Optimization forum in his Community Monster Manual Group.
#11
sotp_seamus
Mar 16, 2010 7:38:20
You can also ask Leichenreiter to create a Monster Optimization forum in his Community Monster Manual Group.

Done! Thanks for the suggestion!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 sotp_seamus Mar 12, 2010 23:49:50	Inspired by Sly Flourish's article, I think we should totally have a Monnster/Encounter Optimization Forum. Why should players have all the fun? This would also help new DMs develop strategies to use in their own games to make the game more fun and chellenging for all.
#2 generalhenry Mar 13, 2010 0:28:23	PCs have clear creation rules monsters. . . don't So while it's useful it's no where near as straight forward
#3 sotp_seamus Mar 13, 2010 9:43:21	Clearly, it wouldn't be just about number crunching. It would be the place for DMs to get together and create challenging encounters using the monsters that exist in comjunction with monsters tweaked out with the Monster Builder. For an example, read this blog: Pimp My Mind Flayer If more DMs start doing this, the level of challenge can go from watching characters mop the floor with everything they see, to having real consequences for failure, when failure becomes a much more solid possibility. That's why I think we need a forum for this.
#4 sotp_seamus Mar 13, 2010 21:34:13	Also, it should be noted that due to the fact that it's not that straight-forward, people should want to discuss it, and have a place to do so.
#5 Seeker95 Mar 14, 2010 6:54:18	Also, it should be noted that due to the fact that it's not that straight-forward, people should want to discuss it, and have a place to do so. They have four places to do so already. Races and Monsters What's a DM to Do? Homebrew Campaign Workshop Given how few "pimp my monster" threads there are across all four of these boards, I don't see the advantage of making a special board for them. (I'm not objecting to the Board idea. Just seeing little evidence for its necessity.)
#6 sotp_seamus Mar 14, 2010 13:57:10	You make a very good point. There are four places where a DM can discuss this sort of thing. Consider though, that players have many more places to discuss their needs: What's a Player to do? Role: Controller Role: Striker Role: Defender Role: Leader Character Development On top of these, they have the very specific Character Optimization forum. Plus, just because there are these other places, doesn't mean that any of them are a good place for this particular line of discussion. Also, it might be a good idea to do Monster Op as a sub-forum for the Campaign/Adventure Workshop forum. I just really enjoyed the idea of SlyFlourish's post, and I think the potential to discuss this sort of thing can really bring out the best (and/or worst) in the DM community.
#7 calronmoonflower Mar 14, 2010 15:07:19	Consider though, that players have many more places to discuss their needs: Bad standard. Instead you should look at what the extra forum would add.
#8 wangatoo Mar 14, 2010 18:54:33	i kind of liked this thread idea, as a dm that is slowly gaining competence this kind of thing would be incredibly helpful
#9 sotp_seamus Mar 14, 2010 19:22:46	Bad standard. Instead you should look at what the extra forum would add. I thought I had made it clear, but in case I hadn't, this new froum idea would be the place where DMs could meet to optimize their monsters and encounters, so that they can make encounters more challenging (and, by extension, more entertaining) for the players that are working together very strongly. It's a great thought experiment, too.
#10 wrecan Mar 15, 2010 14:55:30	You make a very good point. There are four places where a DM can discuss this sort of thing. Consider though, that players have many more places to discuss their needs There is no inherent reason DMs should get as many forums as players. In fact, there's a pretty good reason why they don't: generally, players outnumber DMs by a margin of 4:1 or more. Now, perhaps DMs frequent these forums in disproportionate numbers. But based on forum traffic that doesn't seem to be the case. Generallty, new forums are justified based on traffic, not simply because someone devises a neat topic. However, if you think a separate Monster Optimization board is worthwhile, you can create a Monster Optimization Group, which will have its own forums. You can also ask Leichenreiter to create a Monster Optimization forum in his Community Monster Manual Group.
#11 sotp_seamus Mar 16, 2010 7:38:20	You can also ask Leichenreiter to create a Monster Optimization forum in his Community Monster Manual Group. Done! Thanks for the suggestion!