GM Advice: Mutating your D&D monsters with monster themes - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

GM Advice: Mutating your D&D monsters with monster themes

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Oraibi
Feb 08, 2011 9:34:19 The D&D Dungeon Master's Guide 2 introduced the concept of monster themes – groups of statistics that can be used to flavor “stock” monsters to give thematic unity to an encounter.

You can use the concept of monster themes to adapt D&D monsters from various sources – such as the D&D Essentials Monster Vault – for use in your D&D Gamma World game. Choose an appropriate theme for the monsters you want to use, and then select one to three powers or traits from the list for that theme.

Here are three themes you can use in your campaign: cyborg, radioactive, and alien.
Download GM Advice: Mutating Your D&D Monsters here!
#2
lordkangus
Feb 08, 2011 11:27:52 Woohoo! Cyborg Owlbears, here we come!
#3
Seeker95
Feb 08, 2011 11:42:22 Oraibi, this is brilliant as always.

May I make a suggestion/request? Please consider re-formatting the document such that each theme is its own page.
#4
Oraibi
Feb 08, 2011 11:51:19
Oraibi, this is brilliant as always.

May I make a suggestion/request? Please consider re-formatting the document such that each theme is its own page.

Good call on that. I just added some blank spaces for people to draw owlbears and frickin' sharks.

#5
Seeker95
Feb 08, 2011 12:19:55 Love it! Now it is time for us to build on your initiative and add more!

A few thematic opportunities that come to mind, just by glancing down the Origins list:

Energy warped (Cryokinetic, Electrokinetic, Pyrokinetic): Radioactive isn't the only energy-thing Godzilla fought.

Undead (Reanimated/Ectoplasmic): Who doesn't need a Gamma Terra zombie/ghost variant?

Psionic (Empath, Mind Breaker/Coercer, Prescient, Telekinetic): 'Cause humans aren't the only things that evolved.

Far Realm-ish (Entropic, Nightmare, Plaguebearer): Lovecraft meets Gamma Terra.

Technofied (Android, Magnetic, Plastic, Wheeled): For when Michael Bey gets hold of your Monster Vault

#6
Oraibi
Feb 08, 2011 12:55:40
Love it! Now it is time for us to build on your initiative and add more!

A few thematic opportunities that come to mind, just by glancing down the Origins list:

Energy warped (Cryokinetic, Electrokinetic, Pyrokinetic): Radioactive isn't the only energy-thing Godzilla fought.

Undead (Reanimated/Ectoplasmic): Who doesn't need a Gamma Terra zombie/ghost variant?

Psionic (Empath, Mind Breaker/Coercer, Prescient, Telekinetic): 'Cause humans aren't the only things that evolved.

Far Realm-ish (Entropic, Nightmare, Plaguebearer): Lovecraft meets Gamma Terra.

Technofied (Android, Magnetic, Plastic, Wheeled): For when Michael Bey gets hold of your Monster Vault

I agree! I'd love to see more input from everyone on themes and other ideas for building monsters.

#7
Muderfly
Feb 08, 2011 14:18:15 awesome as usual.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Oraibi Feb 08, 2011 9:34:19	The D&D Dungeon Master's Guide 2 introduced the concept of monster themes – groups of statistics that can be used to flavor “stock” monsters to give thematic unity to an encounter. You can use the concept of monster themes to adapt D&D monsters from various sources – such as the D&D Essentials Monster Vault – for use in your D&D Gamma World game. Choose an appropriate theme for the monsters you want to use, and then select one to three powers or traits from the list for that theme. Here are three themes you can use in your campaign: cyborg, radioactive, and alien. Download GM Advice: Mutating Your D&D Monsters here!
#2 lordkangus Feb 08, 2011 11:27:52	Woohoo! Cyborg Owlbears, here we come!
#3 Seeker95 Feb 08, 2011 11:42:22	Oraibi, this is brilliant as always. May I make a suggestion/request? Please consider re-formatting the document such that each theme is its own page.
#4 Oraibi Feb 08, 2011 11:51:19	Oraibi, this is brilliant as always. May I make a suggestion/request? Please consider re-formatting the document such that each theme is its own page. Good call on that. I just added some blank spaces for people to draw owlbears and frickin' sharks.
#5 Seeker95 Feb 08, 2011 12:19:55	Love it! Now it is time for us to build on your initiative and add more! A few thematic opportunities that come to mind, just by glancing down the Origins list: Energy warped (Cryokinetic, Electrokinetic, Pyrokinetic): Radioactive isn't the only energy-thing Godzilla fought. Undead (Reanimated/Ectoplasmic): Who doesn't need a Gamma Terra zombie/ghost variant? Psionic (Empath, Mind Breaker/Coercer, Prescient, Telekinetic): 'Cause humans aren't the only things that evolved. Far Realm-ish (Entropic, Nightmare, Plaguebearer): Lovecraft meets Gamma Terra. Technofied (Android, Magnetic, Plastic, Wheeled): For when Michael Bey gets hold of your Monster Vault
#6 Oraibi Feb 08, 2011 12:55:40	Love it! Now it is time for us to build on your initiative and add more! A few thematic opportunities that come to mind, just by glancing down the Origins list: Energy warped (Cryokinetic, Electrokinetic, Pyrokinetic): Radioactive isn't the only energy-thing Godzilla fought. Undead (Reanimated/Ectoplasmic): Who doesn't need a Gamma Terra zombie/ghost variant? Psionic (Empath, Mind Breaker/Coercer, Prescient, Telekinetic): 'Cause humans aren't the only things that evolved. Far Realm-ish (Entropic, Nightmare, Plaguebearer): Lovecraft meets Gamma Terra. Technofied (Android, Magnetic, Plastic, Wheeled): For when Michael Bey gets hold of your Monster Vault I agree! I'd love to see more input from everyone on themes and other ideas for building monsters.
#7 Muderfly Feb 08, 2011 14:18:15	awesome as usual.