Question about 3.5/Pathfinder monster stat blocks.

DaveyB · Post by **DaveyB** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 4:01 am

One of the things I feel that 4e D&D has done right is with it's monster design; ridiculous names withstanding. Everything to run the monster is right there in the block with no need to cross-reference other books or need to memorize numerous feats to be able to run the monster correctly.

Having just received Pathfinder for Christmas, I was hoping to see something similar to what 4e had done with their stat blocks, but alas I see that is not the case, and Paizo has gone the 3.x route with numerous feats, etc. My question is: are the different feats factored into the monster's stats or is it assumed that you know the 5 or 6 different feats some of them have? I'm going to assume it's the latter. If so, how does one effectively run a monster w/o having memorized all of the different feats? Any hints? Thanks guys!

Post by **Breakdaddy** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 4:07 am

Unfortunately you will need to reference the books if you are not familiar with the feats, a-la 3e. I think a 3rd party company made "feat cards" that are like the power cards in 4e but I cant recall who at the moment.

Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 4:15 am

Any modifier given by the feats is factored in if it is "static", if its conditional/situational you have to know them.
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DaveyB · Post by **DaveyB** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:32 pm

That's what I figured. Since I never DM'ed much 3.x, can one safely ignore the feats for monsters and just run them with their special abilities, or would they lose something in the process?

Post by **Breakdaddy** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 10:46 pm

DaveyB wrote:
That's what I figured. Since I never DM'ed much 3.x, can one safely ignore the feats for monsters and just run them with their special abilities, or would they lose something in the process?

I used to do this all the time. I winged the shit out of 3.x D&D, so no worries there unless there is a serious rules lawyer in your group. If there is, before you kill him and take his stuff, please refer him to rule 0.

CharlieRock · Post by **CharlieRock** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 11:13 pm

DaveyB wrote:
That's what I figured. Since I never DM'ed much 3.x, can one safely ignore the feats for monsters and just run them with their special abilities, or would they lose something in the process?

You can run them featless. You lose no fun in the game doing so. Some few monsters are significantly weaker though. Like any that use Pounce come to mind (Pounce = charge attack gets all of the full attacks, and often include an automatic grapple attempt if any hits succeed.)
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DaveyB · Post by **DaveyB** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 1:30 am

Hmm....I guess I could always stat the monsters up in the 4e Monster Builder for use in game if I ever get the itch to run Pathfinder...

DaveyB · Post by **DaveyB** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 1:33 am

Breakdaddy wrote:
I used to do this all the time. I winged the shit out of 3.x D&D, so no worries there unless there is a serious rules lawyer in your group. If there is, before you kill him and take his stuff, please refer him to rule 0.

There is one guy, to an extent, but he's more for finding bonuses for his character than anything. Oddly enough, the first time we tried 4e, he was the only one killed.