Playing a Monster

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

Echamil

Dec 09, 2014 12:43:05

As the Dungeon Master's Guide has officially released, I am curious to know if it has any rulings about playing monsters. How would that be done?

 

For example, I am building a Goblin Cleric. Does the Goblin Hit Dice (2d6) supersede the Hit Die of the Cleric Class (1d8)? Do I add them together?

 

What about stats, does the ones in the MM supersede the standard array?

 

Lastly, Racial Traits. I added racial traits based on Pathfinder/3.5, because I am not 100% certain what racial traits a Goblin might have besides being Nimble and having Darkvision. The only Racial trait I took from PF/3.5 was Fast Movement and "Hard Head, Big Teeth".

 

Am I stretching to much to play a Goblin?

#2

colemcm

Dec 09, 2014 14:04:05

I don't think so. You just need to bring the race in line with the power level of the other PCs. Figure out which two attributes are their primary +2 and +1 attributes. Add things like darkvision and any special abilities they might have. Then give them a class and run them as you would any other PC. Don't give them racial HD or run off of the attributes listed in the MM. They're a PC now, not a normal goblin.

#3

Echamil

Dec 09, 2014 14:41:11

colemcm wrote:
#4

MechaPilot

Dec 09, 2014 17:19:07

Echamil wrote:
#5

Ath-kethin

Dec 09, 2014 17:40:11 		On page 282 the DMG lists ability score modifiers and features for a number of monster races, including goblins.
#6

Echamil

Dec 09, 2014 19:02:41

Ath-kethin wrote:
#7

MechaPilot

Dec 09, 2014 19:45:43

Echamil wrote:
#8

Echamil

Dec 09, 2014 20:05:13

MechaPilot wrote:
#9

MechaPilot

Dec 09, 2014 20:12:24

Echamil wrote:
(Reply to #9)

Echamil

MechaPilot wrote:
#11

MechaPilot

Dec 09, 2014 20:45:11

Echamil wrote:
(Reply to #11)

Echamil

MechaPilot wrote:
#13

Knight_Marshal

Dec 10, 2014 4:01:23

I think to make a monster race into a PC race you would probably have to drop any negative stat penalty as no PC race has them.

IMO a Kobold would go from a -4 STR +2 DEX to a +2 DEX +1 CON.

At least that is how I see it if you want to bring them more in line to PC races.