As a DM, I've been allowing my players to identify beasts with a Nature Roll, fiends or celestials with a Religion or Arcana roll, and magical creatures with an Arcana roll. Honestly, I'm a bit stumped on what to use for monstrosities though. Any suggestions? Also, I've been setting the DC a 8 + the creature's cr.
Well, if you want to spread things out, why not History? A good chunk of monstrosities seem to be creatures of myth and legend, something you'd read in history books.
Otherwise, you can't go wrong with an optional roll - perhaps "Arcana or Nature".
Most monstrosities are native to the material plane, so a Nature check would also suffice. Personally I don't set a base DC but I alter the information gained depending on what the character rolls and asks. If they want information on their weaknesses and roll rather low, they still won't hear about their history. But if they want to know their history (for instance, realise that Ankhegs are not native to this region so someone must've placed it there on purpose) they won't necessarily know about their Tremorsense if they roll too low.
Most monstrosities are native to the material plane, so a Nature check would also suffice. Personally I don't set a base DC but I alter the information gained depending on what the character rolls and asks. If they want information on their weaknesses and roll rather low, they still won't hear about their history. But if they want to know their history (for instance, realise that Ankhegs are not native to this region so someone must've placed it there on purpose) they won't necessarily know about their Tremorsense if they roll too low.
That's great advice. Thanks. I should probably scrap the DCs based on challenge rating.
Most monstrosities are native to the material plane, so a Nature check would also suffice. Personally I don't set a base DC but I alter the information gained depending on what the character rolls and asks. If they want information on their weaknesses and roll rather low, they still won't hear about their history. But if they want to know their history (for instance, realise that Ankhegs are not native to this region so someone must've placed it there on purpose) they won't necessarily know about their Tremorsense if they roll too low.
That's great advice. Thanks. I should probably scrap the DCs based on challenge rating.
I've always considered the difference between beasts and monstrosities to be that monstrosities aren't natural. On that basis, I personally go with arcana checks for monstrosities
Edit: The Ranger page describes each of the creature types that can be chosen as a favoured enemy. Monstrosities are one, and here is that text:
Monstrosities are monsters in the strictest sense -- frightening creatures that are not ordinary, not truly natural, and almost never benign. Some are the results of magical experimentation gone awry (such as owlbears), and others are the product of terrible curses (including minotaurs). They defy categorization, and in some sense serve as a catch-all category for creatures that don't fit into any other type.
I've always considered the difference between beasts and monstrosities to be that monstrosities aren't natural. On that basis, I personally go with arcana checks for monstrosities
True, but that might depend on the monstrosity in question. I feel that Centaurs, Ankhegs and Yeti's for instance have a more connection to the natural world than say a Death Dog, Gorgon or a Medusa. Creatures with spell-like abilities or other strange effects like Gaze attacks, for instance, feel less natural than those who do not. An Ankheg is basically a really big and angry ant, so Nature should work fine I think. Might also depend on your setting; if Ankhegs are created by magical experiments then yes they should totally work with Arcana checks. It may also depend on what you want to know; if you want to know about the breeding and living habits of gorgons, that's probably Nature whereas knowing about how to pierce their armor or knowing about their breath weapon might be arcana. Whatever works best for the situation I guess
As a DM, I've been allowing my players to identify beasts with a Nature Roll, fiends or celestials with a Religion or Arcana roll, and magical creatures with an Arcana roll. Honestly, I'm a bit stumped on what to use for monstrosities though. Any suggestions? Also, I've been setting the DC a 8 + the creature's cr.
Dungeonmastering since 1992!
Well, if you want to spread things out, why not History? A good chunk of monstrosities seem to be creatures of myth and legend, something you'd read in history books.
Otherwise, you can't go wrong with an optional roll - perhaps "Arcana or Nature".
I always forget history. Thanks!
Dungeonmastering since 1992!
Most monstrosities are native to the material plane, so a Nature check would also suffice. Personally I don't set a base DC but I alter the information gained depending on what the character rolls and asks. If they want information on their weaknesses and roll rather low, they still won't hear about their history. But if they want to know their history (for instance, realise that Ankhegs are not native to this region so someone must've placed it there on purpose) they won't necessarily know about their Tremorsense if they roll too low.
Subclass: Dwarven Defender - Dragonborn Paragon
Feats: Artificer Apprentice
Monsters: Sheep - Spellbreaker Warforged Titan
Magic Items: Whipier - Ring of Secret Storage - Collar of the Guardian
Monster template: Skeletal Creature
Dungeonmastering since 1992!
Subclass: Dwarven Defender - Dragonborn Paragon
Feats: Artificer Apprentice
Monsters: Sheep - Spellbreaker Warforged Titan
Magic Items: Whipier - Ring of Secret Storage - Collar of the Guardian
Monster template: Skeletal Creature
I've always considered the difference between beasts and monstrosities to be that monstrosities aren't natural. On that basis, I personally go with arcana checks for monstrosities
Edit: The Ranger page describes each of the creature types that can be chosen as a favoured enemy. Monstrosities are one, and here is that text:
Site Rules & Guidelines - Please feel free to message a moderator if you have any concerns.
My homebrew: [Subclasses] [Races] [Feats] [Discussion Thread]
Subclass: Dwarven Defender - Dragonborn Paragon
Feats: Artificer Apprentice
Monsters: Sheep - Spellbreaker Warforged Titan
Magic Items: Whipier - Ring of Secret Storage - Collar of the Guardian
Monster template: Skeletal Creature