Badooga's Monster Guidelines
Other
BMG
badooga
Homebrew v1.1.0
Table of Contents
Introduction
Challenge Rating Expanded
- What does it do right?
- What does it do wrong?
- What are the alternatives?
- Pure Improvisation
- Rough it Out
- Do Some Math
- Giffyglyph's Monster Maker
- Monster Classifications
- Monster Roles
- Tip: Roles Aren't Exclusive
- Monster Tiers
- Special Designation: Leader
- Tip: Tiers are Relative
- Using Roles and Tiers
- OCR and DCR by Monster Role
- Average CR by Monster Tier
Monster Design
- Design Philosophy
- Thematic Cohesion
- Balance
- Fun to Fight
- Using Challenge Rating
- By the Books
- Traits and Other Features
- Legendary Resistances
- Conditions
- Damage Resistances and Immunities
- Regression Formula
- Copy Official Monsters
- Use a Tweaked Version
- OCR vs DCR Revisited
- Damage Per Round
- Saving Throws
- Use an Alternative
- Monster Features Revisited
- Essential Information
- Conditions
- Generic Monster Features
- Additional Monster Features
- Brutes
- Brawler
- Brutish Durability
- Improvised Attack
- Shrug it Off
- Survivor
- Unyielding
- Controllers
- Aura of Mind Erosion
- Broken Will (Action)
- Captivating Presence
- Limited Flight
- Redirect Attack
- Stunning Gaze (Action)
- Skirmishers
- Assassinate
- Lightfooted
- Lurker in Shadow
- Mobile
- Shroud Self (Action)
- Skirmisher
- Snipers
- Aim
- Focus
- Steady Aim
- Soldiers
- Strikers
- Action Surge (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest)
- Arcane Advantage (1/Turn)
- Guided Strike (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest)
- Improved Critical
- Potent Spellcasting
- War Magic
- Leaders
- Battlefield Inspiration (Action)
- Bulwark (3/Day)
- Command Ally
- Leadership (Action; Recharges after a Short or Long Rest)
- Rallying Cry
- Tactical Maneuver
- Creating a Boss Fight
- Reactions
- Fast Reflexes
- Legendary Reaction
- Limited Reactiveness
- Reactive
- Legendary Resistances
- Break Free
- Freedom of Action
- Freedom of Movement
- Indomitable (3/Day)
- Legendary Durability (1/Turn)
- Legendary Protection
- Legendary Resistance (1/Round)
- Unbreakable (3/Day)
- Lair Actions
- Legendary Actions
- Balance them Out
- Add Variety
- Differ the Costs
- Stay Organized
- Customize your Options
- Soldiers
- Brutes
- Controllers
- Leaders
- Skirmishers
- Snipers
- Strikers
- Mythic Traits and Actions
- Breakdown
- Variants
- Traits and Actions
- Extra Action Slots
- Multiple Transformations
- Generic Mythic Traits
- Basic Mythic Monster (Mythic Trait; Recharges after a Short or Long Rest)
- Exposed Weak Points (Mythic Trait; Recharges after a Short or Long Rest)
- Permanent Transformation (Mythic Trait)
- Punishing Transformation (Mythic Trait; Recharges after a Short or Long Rest)
- Limited Rejuvenation (Mythic Trait; Recharges after a Short or Long Rest)
- Multi-Stage Fight (Mythic Trait; 2/Day)
- Extra Features
- Mythic Fury
- Mythic Maneuver
- Mythic Reaction
- Variable Resistance
- Boss Fights Expanded
- Boss Phases
- Transition Triggers
- Transition Effects
- Action Oriented Monsters
- Paragon Monsters
- Complexity
- Lack of Excitement
- Redundancy
- Verbose
- Alternatives to Paragon Actions
- Dismemberment
- Legendary Fury
- Legendary Movement
- Permanent Transformation
- Weak Point (1/Turn)
- Paragon Actions Revised
- Paragon Actions
- Paragon Actions
- Customizing Existing Monsters
- Statistical Edits
- Trivial Changes
- Easy Changes
- Harder Changes
- Damage and Hit Points
- Changing Spells
- Items and Equipment
- Adventuring Gear
- Magic Items
- Consumables
- New Action Options
- Alternative Attacks
- Blind
- Disarm
- Disrupt
- Forced Movement
- Grapple
- Prone
- Stun
- Grappling and Shoving
- Improvised Attacks
- Creature Templates
- Cults and Boons
- PC Feats or Class Features
- Custom Spellcasting
- Daily Spellcasting
- Modified Spells
- Spell Level
- Damage Type
- Different Targets
- Different Size or Range
- Other Restrictions
- Custom Spells
- PC Options for Monsters
- NPCs with Classes
- Adding Classes to Monsters
- Classes in the Game World
- Class Features For Monsters
- Removing Resources
- Features to Exclude
- Level Scalings
- Mundane versus Supernatural
- Example Monster Class Features
- Artificer
- Foundation of Knowledge
- Improvised Action
- Magical Genius
- Retooled Spell
- Spell Versatility {@recharge 5}
- Barbarian
- Brute
- Deadly Critical
- Rage
- Reckless
- Relentless (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest)
- Bard
- Bardic Inspiration {@recharge 4}
- Combat Inspiration
- Countercharm
- Mantle of Inspiration
- Taunt (2/Day)
- Cleric
- Divine Eminence
- Divine Intervention (1/Week)
- Healing Prayer
- Spirit Blast (Action; Recharges after a Short or Long Rest)
- Power of Belief (3/Day)
- Druid
- Nature's Wrath
- Power of Nature
- Speak with Beasts and Plants
- Tree Stride
- Wild Shape (2/Day)
- Fighter
- Martial Advantage
- Second Wind (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest)
- Tactical Discipline
- Unyielding
- Weapons Expert
- Monk
- Deft Strike (1/Turn)
- Ki-Empowered Technique {@recharge 4}
- Martial Arts (1/Turn)
- Mental Equilibrium
- Stunning Strike (1/Turn)
- Paladin
- Divine Fury
- Healing Touch (3/Day)
- Holy Vigor
- Resolute (2/Day)
- Unwavering
- Ranger
- Foe Slayer
- Hunter's Mark (3/Day)
- Lightfooted
- Natural Explorer
- Tireless
- Rogue
- Ambusher
- Cheap Shot (1/Turn)
- Exploit Weakness (1/Turn)
- Lurkers in Shadow
- Surprise Attack
- Sorcerer
- Arcane Vigor
- Elemental Spell
- Font of Magic
- Quick Cantrips
- Sorcerous Fortitude
- Warlock
- Beseech Patron {@recharge 5}
- Dark Devotion
- Eldritch Ward
- Mind-Eroding Hex
- Potent Spellcasting
- Wizard
- Displacement {@recharge 5}
- Instinctive Charm {@recharge 5}
- Limited Teleportation
- Portent {@recharge 5}
- Spell Ward {@recharge 4}
- Feats
- Actor
- Actor
- Alert
- Alert
- Athlete
- Spring Up
- Standing Leap
- Sturdy Legs
- Charger
- Charge
- Defensive Duelist
- Parry
- Dual Wielder
- Dual Wielder
- Durable
- Shrug it Off
- Elemental Adept
- Elemental Adept
- Grappler
- Grappler
- Grappling Expert
- Great Weapon Master
- Great Weapon Master
- Healer
- Emergency Care
- Mend Wounds (2/Day)
- Heavy Armor Master
- Inspiring Leader
- Rallying Cry
- Keen Mind
- Lightly Armored
- Linguist
- Lucky
- Lucky (3/Day)
- Mage Slayer
- Interrupt Spell
- Magic Initiate
- Martial Adept
- Mobile
- Agile
- Sure Footed
- Polearm Master
- Polearm Master
- Ritual Caster
- Savage Attacker
- Brute
- Sentinel
- Control the Battlefield
- Guard
- Protective Retaliation
- Sharpshooter
- Sharpshooter
- Steady Aim
- Shield Master
- Shield Master
- Tavern Brawler
- Tavern Brawler
- Tough
- Backgrounds
- Races
- Racial Feats
- Other Rewards
Encounter Building
- Contributing Factors
- Action Economy
- Features of the Area
- Difficult Terrain
- Traps and Hazards
- Vision and Light
- Resource Drain
- Party Strength
- Tactics
- Encounter Building: By Tier
- Acquire Monster Points
- Party Strength
- Difficulty Multiplier
- Add Monsters
- DMG Reprint: Challenge Rating and Difficulty
- Other Costs
- Customize Your Encounter
- Fine Adjustments
- Monster Roles
- Sample Encounter Compositions
- Mid-Combat Encounter Adjustments
- Encounter Building: By XP
- One Versus Many
- The Original System
- Tweaking the System
- Revised: Modify Total XP for Multiple Monsters
- Allied NPCs
- Badooga's Encounter Builder
Running Monsters
- Establishing Motives
- Party Goals
- Monster Goals
- Gathered Information
- Initiating and Ending Combat
- Rolling Initiative
- Resolving Combat
- Tactics
- The Monsters Know What They're Doing
- Using Ability Scores
- Intelligence
- 1-3
- 4-6
- 7-9
- 10-13
- 14-17
- 18-20
- 21-30
- Wisdom
- 1-3
- 4-6
- 7-9
- 10-13
- 14-17
- 18-20
- 21-30
- Morale
- Traps, Hazards, and Equipment
- Traps
- Familiarity
- Follow-Up
- Player Usage
- Hazards
- Items and Gear
- Siege Equipment
- Ballista
- Harpoon
- Lancer Ballista
- Oversized Javelin of Lightning
- Cannon
- Arcane Shot
- Explosive Shot
- Magic Missile
- Cauldron
- Acid
- Alchemist's Fire
- Holy Water
- Mangonel
- Jar of Boiling Oil
- Meatbag
- Scattershot
- Siege Tower
- Crossbow Turrets
- Floating Tower
- Protective Field
- Trebuchet
- Tucker's Kobolds
Appendix A: Creature Templates
- Official Templates
- Usage
- Typical Changes
- Ability Score Adjustments
- Hit Dice
- New Proficiencies
- New Resistances and Immunities
- New Features
- Challenge Rating
- Modifying Templates
- List of Templates
- Abomination
- Natural Weapons
- Senses
- Abominable Form
- Amorphous/Boneless
- Spider Climb
- Warped Mind
- Aura of Madness
- Feed on Weakness
- Frightening Screech (Action; Recharge 5-6)
- Stench
- Berserk Monster
- Saving Throws
- Aggressive
- Reckless
- Unbreakable (3/Day)
- Bodyguard
- Alert
- Guard
- Hold the Line
- Protective Retaliation
- Boss Monster
- Last Stand (Mythic Trait; Recharges after a Short or Long Rest)
- Legendary Resistance (3/Day)
- Commander
- Ability Score Adjustment
- Hit Dice
- Command Ally
- Leadership (Action; Recharges after a Short or Long Rest)
- Dirty Fighter
- Battle Adept
- Brawler
- Cheap Shot (1/Turn)
- Evade Foes
- Limited Reactiveness
- Cut Down
- Deadly Critical
- Surprise Attack
- Vicious Retaliation
- Wounded Fury
- Hordling
- Skills
- Pack Tactics
- Formation Tactics
- Group Retaliation
- Mob Behavior
- Overbearing Pack
- Swarming Rush
- Lurk
- Ability Score Adjustment
- Skills
- Cunning Action
- Nimble Escape
- Shadow Stealth
- Shroud Self (Action)
- Skulker
- Trackless
- Shadow Dweller
- Darkvision
- Damage Resistances
- Skills
- Living Shadow
- Shadow Stealth
- Sunlight Sensitivity
- Touch of Death
- Spellcaster
- Ability Score Adjustment
- Spellcasting
- Warrior
- Ability Score Adjustment
- Equipment
- Hit Dice
- Martial Advantage (1/Turn)
- Mooks
- TftYP Reprint: Reduced-Threat Monsters
- Example Monsters
Appendix B: Variant Monsters
Appendix C: Generic NPCs
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