2014-05-22 Stat Blocks

Random Wizard writes about the OSR Stat Block and mentions Semper Initiativus Unum’s OSR Compatible Logo. I myself use a slightly different notation.

I started wondering: Why is it unlikely that I will be adopting a different notation?

The most important issue is probably that I don’t care enough about other systems and I feel that it’s incredibly easy to move from one system to another. If I can run D&D 3.5 adventures using Labyrinth Lord converting stats on the fly, then I’m sure you can do a quick “19 minus descending armor class = ascending armor class” or a quick “19 minus HD = single saving throw”.

Another important issue is that I usually take notes for myself, so I’m used to my particular format. This format continues to evolve (in minuscule steps). Perhaps we can look to the tech world. The Tao of IETF (the Internet Engineering Task Force) is “rough consensus” and “running code”—and it would seem to me that we are close to rough consensus and we have a lot of actual experience running and writing adventures and monster collections. We’re just quibbling about the details.

The Tao of IETF

Here’s how I feel the B1 stat block mentioned by Random Wizard compares to mine.

Random Wizard and B1: Orcs (1-4) – HP: 6, 4, 3, 1; #AT: 1; D: 1-6; AC 7/12; SA: None

Mine: 2d10 orcs HD 1 AC 7 1d6 F1 MV 12 ML 7 XP 5

I don’t like the *ranges* because simple ranges can be expressed using die notation (1–4 = 1d4) where as weird ranges take too much time to figure out (5-14 = 3d4+2).
I don’t like the *sorted hit points*. Do I randomize the list at the table? If so, I might just as well roll the hit points myself (which is what I do).
I usually don’t see the point of listing the *number of attacks*.
I like *AC* to be at the beginning because I’ll refer to it a lot (every time a player attacks).
I’m a big fan of *morale*. Morale scores are important.
I’m not much of a fan of *movement*, but I sometimes I still care. How many shots can you fire at a charging enemy? Who can outrun the werecamel?
I wouldn’t mind listing *ascending and descending* AC. The simple a/b notation is short and it doesn’t use parenthesis. I like it.
As a nitpicker, I don’t understand why AC doesn’t need a *colon* were as HP, #AT, D and SA need one.
For that matter, I don’t understand why Damage or Special Abilities need a *label*. Isn’t it obvious that the only range or die notation in the stat block must be damage and that the only plain text must be special abilities?
*XP* is optional, I agree (and often forget to list it in my prep notes).

Longer example which includes a name, multiple attacks and various special abilities.

Bel, Slayer of Men, HD 10 AC 2 -*3d6 ML 11 MV 9; flaming whip does no damage but on a hit it grants +4 on the hit with the flaming sword in the same round and on a 20 it disarms the opponent; flaming aura deals an extra 1d6 to everybody nearby; immune to non-magic weapons; immune to fire*

Perhaps if more people posted their favorite monster notation and argued for their differences, we could start building said “rough consensus”.

#RPG

Comments

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The stats for the creatures above would look something like this in my notes:

Orc (2d10): HD 1; AC 7; Atk 1 axe 1d6; MV 12; ML 7

Bel, Slayer of Men: HD 10; AC 2; Atk 1 flaming sword 3d6, 1 flaming whip (+4 to-hit on next attack; disarm on 20); MV 9; ML 11; flaming aura deals 1d6; immune to non-magic weapons and fire

I couldn’t imagine myself putting down more complicated notes on a regular basis; although for some particularly complex ability or attack mode I could use something like indicating what happens on a natural 1, on a miss, on a hit, or on a natural 20.

– Ynas Midgard 2014-05-27 15:30 UTC

Ynas Midgard

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Same here, sometimes I’ll have extra stuff happen on a natural 20. If monsters have a breath attack they don’t use every round, I also like to give the chance for them to use it (since no d20 is rolled). I like 50% or 1–3/6 better than “every 1d4 rounds”.

In your stat block the “Atk” label is the only thing I would drop. I used to have it my own notes as well, but dropped it as unnecessary. The attack descriptions are not easily confused with anything else.

– Alex Schroeder 2014-05-28 06:07 UTC

Alex Schroeder