Ten Monsters I Love (But Rarely Use)

I thought I’d chip in on the latest subject to be making its way around the RPG blogs.  Instead of just my favorite ten monsters, which would include common reliables like kobolds, dragons, and vampires, though, I thought I’d list the ones that are favorites of mine but that I rarely find myself using.  They might be too specialized, or might not fit the flavor of my plots often enough, or might just be obscure, but I love the concepts anyway.

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Zero Level

Fourth-edition Dungeons & Dragons is scaled to a higher starting level of power than third — or, for that matter, than any previous edition.  First-level characters are no longer fresh off the farm — they’re already skilled adventurers and even heroes in their own right.

Personally, I like this.  I enjoy a more heroic style of play in fantasy, even when I’m running with a low-magic setting.  I like proactive characters who aren’t afraid to take risks and try cool things, and who’ve learned a couple of tricks, and who won’t die of a scratch.  I used to start most of my campaigns at third level.  In fourth edition, first level feels good to me.

But some people enjoy playing at a lower power level, and watching those farmboys — the ones who survive, at least — develop into heroes.  This can be a fine idea for a game, but it’s not something that 4e as-written really serves.  4e is a flexible system, though, and by borrowing a little from the game’s past, it can be made to suit.

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Alignment Explained via Superheroes

These motivational posters are surprisingly apt.  I like the conceit here:  the superheroes (and villains) are, for the most part, pretty well-known figures, which makes this an easy encapsulation of the D&D alignment system.  The one prior to fourth-edition, at any rate.

My favorite part is the quote chosen for each one.  He’s a superhero; he’s a political philosopher.  They Fight Crime.

It’s kind of an old post, but I just stumbled upon a link to it.