Product Idea: Monster Cards - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Product Idea: Monster Cards

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
drtibb
Aug 31, 2008 14:04:56 Hey, I'm new to the forums... I've been DMing for roughly five years now, and I really enjoy fourth edition.

One issue I've always struggled with is using the Monster Manual effectively while gaming. This has happened both in both 3rd and 4th edition. As a DM, I like to use a mix of multiple monsters, and I'm happy 4e has enabled that further with new game mechanics (ie: no CR); however, I've always had difficulty flipping back and forth between stat blocks in the Monster Manuals. It can be distracting for me, and rather tiresome, even if I use bookmarks.

I've gotten into the habit of writing stat blocks down, but that also becomes tiresome. Some players keep you on your toes about knowing EVERYTHING about a monster, so you can't forget to write down anything. I think it would be a great idea if WOTC released Monster Cards as a separate product, kind of like the Power Cards. A Monster Card set would include every monster in the MM, each on its own card (or cards for complex monsters). The cards conveniently fit behind the screen without being obvious, and you can easily look at multiple monsters at once without much effort.

As of now, I use index cards, but I figured it might be a good suggestion.
#2
drtibb
Aug 31, 2008 14:37:23 Exactly... I just thought of the three packs idea. Glad you mentioned it! I walked away from my computer, and I was thinking... "How could they make this economically viable? What would be the point of buying the MM if you bought Monster Cards?"

First of all, releasing them in three packs (Heroic, Paragon, Epic) would make it easier for people to buy what they NEED, not everything. Also, releasing Monster Cards a month or two after a MM comes out would almost guarantee the customer had already bought the MM. One thing that the MM has, too, are the recommended encounters, ecology, and general description. This still makes the Manual a viable option, particularly if 4e MMs begin to take the path of 3e MMs: expounding upon monster environments and new situations. Cards would not be able to keep up with that, so it's still worth a manual.

Consider a deck of MM1: Heroic Tier Monster Cards to be $10-12. Thus, buying all three equates to that of a Monster Manual. Seems like a viable option.
#3
drtibb
Aug 31, 2008 15:16:22 I think that this would be one of the more common-sense aids that a DM could use. The DM Screen was an excellent choice (and I have to say, I'm really fond of my new one), but I was rather disappointed with Character Record Sheets. I didn't buy them, mind you, but I'd like to see WOTC really look into Monster Cards. It's extremely easy for them, since they don't need to spend any time in R&D. Virtually no research is involved. However, I think it'd be a hit with practical DMs. I mean, I'm sure I'm not the only one who has my problem.

I wonder what they think? Guess we'll find out when they see this thread.
#4
Calion
Sep 03, 2008 10:52:38 Okay, here's how these need to be laid out. On the front of the card, is a nice, glossy picture of the monster, with no other information. No name, no description, nothing. Just a picture. That's so I can show the players the card and say, "you see THIS coming at you." Then, on the back, is the monster's stat block. Sure, Tactics would be nice, but you need some reason to buy an MM, right? It wouldn't have Lore or Encounter Groups or anything like that either. The point is that you should have exactly the information you need to run a combat, but not the detailed roleplaying info; save that for the MM. These are probably going to have to be bigger than standard TCG size; say 3x5 or something like that.

I would buy the lot of them. Hell, I might buy two.
#5
Graywizard8
Sep 03, 2008 13:40:00 like these

http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=17011&it=1

They had 4 sets of monster cards for 1st ed. I used them back in the day. I would love a 4th ed set of all the monsters.
#6
atanakar
Sep 03, 2008 14:37:43 The DDI compendium provides all the info. Just copy/paste the info into excel prior to the game, print and voilà !
#7
drtibb
Sep 04, 2008 13:08:13 That's a temporary solution, though. DDI's not always going to be free. I can see how it'd be excellent if you were a member, but face it, not everyone will be. Monster cards would be a better solution. Not only would it be profitable and, from what I've seen, popular, but it would be a lifesaver... and an ink-saver. It's convenient and practical. I mean, they're doing it to power cards already. Why not monster cards?

Edit: Also, try searching for Monster Manual entries in the DDI Compendium. Not a single entry for Monsters in the Monster Manual... only Dungeon Magazine and other supplements like Thunderspire and Shadowfell are included. So, that's not going to work, I suppose.
#8
zaukrie
Sep 04, 2008 14:56:43 IF they put the DDM cards on line, you should expect the RPG side to be there also. That would at least give you the ones that are released in DDM sets (I know that won't cover them all, but it won't be random ), other than what is realeased set by set.

that said, I'd certianly consider buying these.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 drtibb Aug 31, 2008 14:04:56	Hey, I'm new to the forums... I've been DMing for roughly five years now, and I really enjoy fourth edition. One issue I've always struggled with is using the Monster Manual effectively while gaming. This has happened both in both 3rd and 4th edition. As a DM, I like to use a mix of multiple monsters, and I'm happy 4e has enabled that further with new game mechanics (ie: no CR); however, I've always had difficulty flipping back and forth between stat blocks in the Monster Manuals. It can be distracting for me, and rather tiresome, even if I use bookmarks. I've gotten into the habit of writing stat blocks down, but that also becomes tiresome. Some players keep you on your toes about knowing EVERYTHING about a monster, so you can't forget to write down anything. I think it would be a great idea if WOTC released Monster Cards as a separate product, kind of like the Power Cards. A Monster Card set would include every monster in the MM, each on its own card (or cards for complex monsters). The cards conveniently fit behind the screen without being obvious, and you can easily look at multiple monsters at once without much effort. As of now, I use index cards, but I figured it might be a good suggestion.
#2 drtibb Aug 31, 2008 14:37:23	Exactly... I just thought of the three packs idea. Glad you mentioned it! I walked away from my computer, and I was thinking... "How could they make this economically viable? What would be the point of buying the MM if you bought Monster Cards?" First of all, releasing them in three packs (Heroic, Paragon, Epic) would make it easier for people to buy what they NEED, not everything. Also, releasing Monster Cards a month or two after a MM comes out would almost guarantee the customer had already bought the MM. One thing that the MM has, too, are the recommended encounters, ecology, and general description. This still makes the Manual a viable option, particularly if 4e MMs begin to take the path of 3e MMs: expounding upon monster environments and new situations. Cards would not be able to keep up with that, so it's still worth a manual. Consider a deck of MM1: Heroic Tier Monster Cards to be $10-12. Thus, buying all three equates to that of a Monster Manual. Seems like a viable option.
#3 drtibb Aug 31, 2008 15:16:22	I think that this would be one of the more common-sense aids that a DM could use. The DM Screen was an excellent choice (and I have to say, I'm really fond of my new one), but I was rather disappointed with Character Record Sheets. I didn't buy them, mind you, but I'd like to see WOTC really look into Monster Cards. It's extremely easy for them, since they don't need to spend any time in R&D. Virtually no research is involved. However, I think it'd be a hit with practical DMs. I mean, I'm sure I'm not the only one who has my problem. I wonder what they think? Guess we'll find out when they see this thread.
#4 Calion Sep 03, 2008 10:52:38	Okay, here's how these need to be laid out. On the front of the card, is a nice, glossy picture of the monster, with no other information. No name, no description, nothing. Just a picture. That's so I can show the players the card and say, "you see THIS coming at you." Then, on the back, is the monster's stat block. Sure, Tactics would be nice, but you need some reason to buy an MM, right? It wouldn't have Lore or Encounter Groups or anything like that either. The point is that you should have exactly the information you need to run a combat, but not the detailed roleplaying info; save that for the MM. These are probably going to have to be bigger than standard TCG size; say 3x5 or something like that. I would buy the lot of them. Hell, I might buy two.
#5 Graywizard8 Sep 03, 2008 13:40:00	like these http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=17011&it=1 They had 4 sets of monster cards for 1st ed. I used them back in the day. I would love a 4th ed set of all the monsters.
#6 atanakar Sep 03, 2008 14:37:43	The DDI compendium provides all the info. Just copy/paste the info into excel prior to the game, print and voilà !
#7 drtibb Sep 04, 2008 13:08:13	That's a temporary solution, though. DDI's not always going to be free. I can see how it'd be excellent if you were a member, but face it, not everyone will be. Monster cards would be a better solution. Not only would it be profitable and, from what I've seen, popular, but it would be a lifesaver... and an ink-saver. It's convenient and practical. I mean, they're doing it to power cards already. Why not monster cards? Edit: Also, try searching for Monster Manual entries in the DDI Compendium. Not a single entry for Monsters in the Monster Manual... only Dungeon Magazine and other supplements like Thunderspire and Shadowfell are included. So, that's not going to work, I suppose.
#8 zaukrie Sep 04, 2008 14:56:43	IF they put the DDM cards on line, you should expect the RPG side to be there also. That would at least give you the ones that are released in DDM sets (I know that won't cover them all, but it won't be random ), other than what is realeased set by set. that said, I'd certianly consider buying these.