MythCraft Online SRD

Creatures in MythCraft: Difference between revisions

Page Discussion

Creatures in MythCraft (view source)

Revision as of 08:18, 25 June 2025

2,222 bytes removed ,  25 June 2025
m
no edit summary
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Tags: Manual revert Visual edit
mNo edit summary
 
(14 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
== Creating an Encounter ==
== Creature Sizes ==
When designing a balanced [[combat]] encounter, add up the total level of all of the adventurers involved. Divide that number by two. The total Monster Level (ML) of all of your monsters added together should be equal to this number. If the ML total is higher than 2x the adventurers’ character levels, then the encounter will be more punishing; if the total ML is less than 2x the adventurers’ character levels, then the encounter will be easier.
 
More ideas for designing and balancing your encounters can be found in the MythCrafter’s [[Guide]].
 
==== Monster Strategies ====
Consider the type of monster that you’re using when you run a combat. A pack of wolves is likely to fight with some level of instinctive strategy, and a group of skilled highway robbers will act with even more strategic nuance. By contrast, a bear is more likely to fight using simple, straightforward tactics. The monster’s tactical skill should be taken into account when you decide what a monster does on its turn.
 
==== Not All Figures are Fair ====
Note that while the majority of your combat encounters should be reasonably balanced, sometimes the adventurers stray off the beaten path. If they head into an area that you have clearly communicated is above their caliber, they might find themselves facing one or more monsters that are significantly too deadly for their current level. In such cases, retreat should usually be an option for the adventuring party.
 
==== Initiative ====
Combat begins when all creatures involved roll Initiative. You typically roll initiative when a monster or adventurer takes some form of aggressive action.
 
Initiative determines the order in which creatures take their turn during combat.
 
Initiative is an AWR check: each creature rolls 1d20 and adds their AWR. The one with the highest roll goes first, followed by the second-highest, and so on. After the last creature takes its turn, the first creature takes its second turn. Initiative order is repeated until combat is resolved.
 
In the event of a tie between one or more creatures, the creature with the higher AWR goes first out of those creatures. If one or more creatures tie and have the same AWR, roll unmodified d20s for each tied creature; the highest roll goes first out of those creatures, then the second highest, etc.
 
== Monster Sizes ==
Monsters come in all shapes and sizes. A creature’s Size is noted immediately below their Monster Level. A creature’s Size might modify its STR and DEX attribute checks (only Attribute checks, not attacks), as well as how many spaces it takes up on a battle map. Below is a table of [[Creature Sizes|creature sizes]].
Monsters come in all shapes and sizes. A creature’s Size is noted immediately below their Monster Level. A creature’s Size might modify its STR and DEX attribute checks (only Attribute checks, not attacks), as well as how many spaces it takes up on a battle map. Below is a table of [[Creature Sizes|creature sizes]].
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
Line 181: Line 161:
Creatures come in a variety of types, and might have more than one type. Monster tags do not frequently come into play, but are occasionally relevant for talents, spells, abilities, and the like. For example, the Cultist can occasionally summon a creature with the [[Occult]] tag. Creature types include mundane and planar groupings.  
Creatures come in a variety of types, and might have more than one type. Monster tags do not frequently come into play, but are occasionally relevant for talents, spells, abilities, and the like. For example, the Cultist can occasionally summon a creature with the [[Occult]] tag. Creature types include mundane and planar groupings.  


==== Mundane ====
'''Mundane'''
Beast, Humanoid, Monstrosity, Plant  
 
Beast, Humanoid, Monstrosity, Plant
 
'''Planar'''
 
Avadri, Celestial, Eldritch, [[Elemental]], Fae, Fiend


==== Planar ====
Some creatures might also have modifying tags or magic tags.
Avadri, Celestial, Eldritch, [[Elemental]], Fae, Fiend


Some creatures might also have modifying tags or magic tags.
'''Magic'''


==== Magic ====
[[Arcane]], [[Divine]], Occult, [[Primal]], [[Psionic]]
[[Arcane]], [[Divine]], Occult, [[Primal]], [[Psionic]]


==== Modifying ====
'''Modifying'''
 
Abominable, Constructed, [[Giant]], Swarm, Shapechanger, and [[Undead]]
Abominable, Constructed, [[Giant]], Swarm, Shapechanger, and [[Undead]]
*'''Undead:''' If a creature has the Undead tag, then by default it does not need to eat, drink, sleep, or breathe, and is immune to Fatigue. Some Undead will specify otherwise within their stats (for example, Vampires must periodically consume blood).


* '''Undead:''' If a creature has the Undead tag, then by default it does not need to eat, drink, sleep, or breathe, and is immune to Fatigue. Some Undead will specify otherwise within their stats (for example, Vampires must periodically consume blood).
=== Monster Traits ===
Creature traits are shorthand for abilities that many creatures have in common. Creature traits that you might encounter in this document are listed below.


=== Monster Traits ===
'''Ethereal:''' A creature with this trait can pass through walls and other barriers and surfaces freely.
Creature traits are shorthand for abilities that many creatures have in common. Creature traits that you might encounter in this document are listed below.  


==== Ethereal ====
'''Immovable:''' A creature with this trait cannot be teleported or moved against its will.
A creature with this trait can pass through walls and other barriers and surfaces freely.


==== Immovable ====
'''Immutable:''' A creature with this trait cannot have its physical form changed, such as with the [[Cloven Step]] spell.
A creature with this trait cannot be teleported or moved against its will.


==== Immutable ====
'''Invisible:''' A creature with this trait is Unseen and remains Unseen even when under circumstances that would normally end the Unseen condition.
A creature with this trait cannot have its physical form changed, such as with the [[Cloven Step]] spell.


==== Invisible ====
'''Iron Will:''' A creature with this trait cannot gain the Frightened or Shaken [[conditions]].
A creature with this trait is Unseen.


==== Iron Will ====
'''Mythic:''' Mythic monsters are incredibly challenging to fight. A Mythic monster has the Iron Will and Steel Mind traits. A Mythic monster is also more difficult to [[kill]]: if it gains the Helpless condition, it is not reduced to 0 HP when it takes [[damage]]. Instead, all damage that it takes is considered critical. Finally, Mythic monsters do not roll [[Initiative]], but instead act after every 2 characters in Initiative [[order]], making them much more capable of devastating a battlefield.
A creature with this trait cannot gain the Frightened or Shaken [[conditions]].


==== Mythic ====
'''Regen X:''' At the start of each of the creature’s turns, the creature regains HP equal to its Regen number.
Mythic monsters are incredibly challenging to fight. A Mythic monster has the Iron Will and Steel Mind traits. A Mythic monster is also more difficult to [[kill]]: if it gains the Helpless condition, it is not reduced to 0 HP when it takes [[damage]]. Instead, all damage that it takes is considered critical. Finally, Mythic monsters do not roll [[Initiative]], but instead act after every 2 characters in Initiative [[order]], making them much more capable of devastating a battlefield.


==== Regen X ====
'''Steel Mind:''' A creature with this trait cannot gain the Charmed or Enthralled conditions
At the start of each of the creature’s turns, the creature regains HP equal to its Regen number.


==== Steel Mind ====
'''Unerring Mind:''' A creature with this trait cannot be tricked by illusions, disguise magic or magical effects, and sees the true form of any shapechanger or polymorphed creature.
A creature with this trait cannot gain the Charmed or Enthralled conditions


==== Unerring Mind ====
'''Vigilant:''' A creature with this trait does not suffer any penalties to its AWR while Unconscious.
A creature with this trait cannot be tricked by illusions, disguise magic or magical effects, and sees the true form of any shapechanger or polymorphed creature.


==== Vigilant ====
== Damage and Resistances ==
A creature with this trait does not suffer any penalties to its AWR while Unconscious.


== Damage Types ==
=== Damage Types ===
There are three categories of Damage in MythCraft: Physical, Elemental, and Energy. Each category contains several types of damage:
There are three categories of Damage in MythCraft: Physical, Elemental, and Energy. Each category contains several types of damage:


=== <u>Physical</u> ===
'''Physical:''' Blunt, Sharp
Blunt, Sharp


=== <u>Elemental</u> ===
'''Elemental:''' Cold, Corrosive, Fire, Lightning, Toxic
Cold, Corrosive, Fire, Lightning, Toxic


=== <u>Energy</u> ===
'''Energy:''' Necrotic, Psychic, Radiant, Sonic
Necrotic, Psychic, Radiant, Sonic


== Resistances ==
=== Resistances ===
Many creatures might have Resist, Vulnerable, Immune, or DR. These keywords interact with damage, conditions, magic sources, and weapon types in unique ways.
Many creatures might have Resist, Vulnerable, Immune, or DR. These keywords interact with damage, conditions, magic sources, and weapon types in unique ways.


=== Resist ===
'''Resist'''
 
Resist adds the specified number to a creature’s defenses against that type of damage. When a creature with Resist X is attacked, and that attack would deal Damage or impose a Condition specified by the Resist feature or is made using a Weapon Type or Magic Source specified by the Resist feature, then the creature adds their Resist number to their Defenses, making it less likely that they are hit. If an Attack does multiple types of Damage or would do Damage and impose a Condition, this could result in separate attack values.<blockquote>'''For example''': A [[Thresher Moss]] has Resist Cold 3. If it is targeted by an ability that deals Cold Damage, then the Thresher Moss adds 3 to their relevant Defense. If the Thresher Moss is targeted by an ability that would deal both Cold Damage and Necrotic Damage, then the Thresher Moss compares the Attack Roll against its defenses +3 to determine if it takes Cold Damage, and the Attack Roll unmodified against its Defenses to determine if it takes Necrotic Damage.</blockquote>Resist is more powerful when it specifies a Weapon Type or a Magic Source, because if a creature Resists Primal then they apply their Resist to every attack roll that targets them if it is Primal Magic.
Resist adds the specified number to a creature’s defenses against that type of damage. When a creature with Resist X is attacked, and that attack would deal Damage or impose a Condition specified by the Resist feature or is made using a Weapon Type or Magic Source specified by the Resist feature, then the creature adds their Resist number to their Defenses, making it less likely that they are hit. If an Attack does multiple types of Damage or would do Damage and impose a Condition, this could result in separate attack values.<blockquote>'''For example''': A [[Thresher Moss]] has Resist Cold 3. If it is targeted by an ability that deals Cold Damage, then the Thresher Moss adds 3 to their relevant Defense. If the Thresher Moss is targeted by an ability that would deal both Cold Damage and Necrotic Damage, then the Thresher Moss compares the Attack Roll against its defenses +3 to determine if it takes Cold Damage, and the Attack Roll unmodified against its Defenses to determine if it takes Necrotic Damage.</blockquote>Resist is more powerful when it specifies a Weapon Type or a Magic Source, because if a creature Resists Primal then they apply their Resist to every attack roll that targets them if it is Primal Magic.


When an attack misses a creature and would deal 1⁄2 Damage on a miss, if the creature Resists that kind of Damage, they take no Damage instead of 1⁄2.
When an attack misses a creature and would deal 1⁄2 Damage on a miss, if the creature Resists that kind of Damage, they take no Damage instead of 1⁄2.


=== Immune ===
'''Immune'''
Creatures take no damage from the listed damage type if they are immune to it.
 
Creatures take no damage from the listed damage type if they are immune to it. Creatures are not effected by any listed conditions if they are immune to it.  


=== Vulnerable ===
'''Vulnerable'''
When a creature with Vulnerable X is attacked, and that attack would deal damage or impose a condition specified by the Vulnerable feature or is made using a weapon type or magic source specified by the Vulnerable feature, then the creature adds their Vulnerable number to the attack roll, making it more likely that they are hit. If an attack does multiple types of damage or would do damage and impose a condition, this could result in separate attack values, as with Resist.


An attacking creature also adds this Vulnerable X number to their crit range. For example, if a creature has Vulnerable Blunt 2, then a creature attacking with a Club would Crit on a roll of 18-20. This can never exceed the maximum Crit Range of 16-20.
A creature with Vulnerable X subtracts the specified number from their defenses against any attack roll that would deal that type of damage. Furthermore, when a creature attacks a Vulnerable creature with that type of damage, the attacking creature's crit range is increased by the Vulnerable number.


Vulnerable always trumps DR and DT. No benefits are gained from DR or DT against a damage type to which the creature is Vulnerable.
For example, if a [[Skeleton]] is Vulnerable Blunt 2, then when Marcus attacks with his morningstar, and deals blunt damage, he would crit on a roll of 18-20, instead of just 20.
 
Vulnerable always supersedes Resist or Immune. For example, a creature that has Resist Fire 3 and Vulnerable Occult 1 still suffers the Vulnerable 1 penalty against fire damage from the Occult Source without gaining the Resist bonus.
 
Vulnerable also always trumps DR and DT. No benefits are gained from DR or DT against a damage type to which the creature is Vulnerable.  


=== Damage Reduction (DR) ===
=== Damage Reduction (DR) ===
Line 266: Line 243:
Damage Threshold is a very rare defense that is generally only used by structures or vehicles. The Damage Threshold level determines how much damage a creature must deal at once to deal any damage at all. For example, if a Stone Wall has DT 15, and a player deals 14 damage to it, it instead takes 0. If a player deals 16 damage, conversely, then the stone wall takes all 16 damage because its DT 15 was overcome. For the purposes of overcoming DT, “damage dealt at once” is determined by a single expenditure of AP. If you must add AP to deal additional damage, that additional damage is put against the DT separately.<blockquote>'''For example''': A spell deals multiple damage sources, such as 2d8 fire damage and 2d8 blunt damage. Since that spell is one expenditure of AP, add them together to determine if it overcomes DT.</blockquote>A player makes two maul attacks against a stone wall on the same turn. Because these are two expenditures of AP, do not add the damage together from the two attacks to determine if they overcome DT.
Damage Threshold is a very rare defense that is generally only used by structures or vehicles. The Damage Threshold level determines how much damage a creature must deal at once to deal any damage at all. For example, if a Stone Wall has DT 15, and a player deals 14 damage to it, it instead takes 0. If a player deals 16 damage, conversely, then the stone wall takes all 16 damage because its DT 15 was overcome. For the purposes of overcoming DT, “damage dealt at once” is determined by a single expenditure of AP. If you must add AP to deal additional damage, that additional damage is put against the DT separately.<blockquote>'''For example''': A spell deals multiple damage sources, such as 2d8 fire damage and 2d8 blunt damage. Since that spell is one expenditure of AP, add them together to determine if it overcomes DT.</blockquote>A player makes two maul attacks against a stone wall on the same turn. Because these are two expenditures of AP, do not add the damage together from the two attacks to determine if they overcome DT.


== Recharge Abilities ==
== Creature Senses ==
Some monsters have abilities that they regain on a recharge or after a set amount of time. If an ability is followed by (Recharge X), that means that after you use the ability, roll 1d6 at the start of each of the creature’s turns until you roll equal to or greater than the Recharge number. Once you do, you regain the ability and can use it on that turn.
 
Some abilities such as the innate ability to cast specific Spells might specify 1/Day, 1/Recoup, or something similar. Monsters regain these abilities after the specified time has passed.
 
== Monster Senses ==


=== Blindsight ===
=== Blindsight ===
Line 288: Line 260:
A creature with Truesight can see a creature’s true form if it has magically disguised itself or changed its form. It also ignores the Unseen condition provided that the creature is not gaining Unseen from Total Cover or [[Darkness]] (unless the creature also has Darkvision).
A creature with Truesight can see a creature’s true form if it has magically disguised itself or changed its form. It also ignores the Unseen condition provided that the creature is not gaining Unseen from Total Cover or [[Darkness]] (unless the creature also has Darkvision).


== Monster Speed ==
== Creature Speed ==
Some monsters have multiple kinds of speed. If a creature has multiple kinds of speed, it cannot use the sum of all of these types of movement; rather, each time it uses an action to move, it chooses which type of movement it uses.
Some monsters have multiple kinds of speed. If a creature has multiple kinds of speed, it cannot use the sum of all of these types of movement; rather, each time it uses an action to move, it chooses which type of movement it uses.


Line 322: Line 294:


When a creature innately casts a ritual or invocation, it does not need any material components to do so.
When a creature innately casts a ritual or invocation, it does not need any material components to do so.
=== Recharge Abilities ===
Some monsters have abilities that they regain on a recharge or after a set amount of time. If an ability is followed by (Recharge X), that means that after you use the ability, roll 1d6 at the start of each of the creature’s turns until you roll equal to or greater than the Recharge number. Once you do, you regain the ability and can use it on that turn.
Some abilities such as the innate ability to cast specific Spells might specify 1/Day, 1/Recoup, or something similar. Monsters regain these abilities after the specified time has passed.
Makiaka
616

edits

Retrieved from "https://srd.mythcraftrpg.com/Special:MobileDiff/4830...13294"