As I was just randomly looking at the Gnoll stat block, after watching the new Runesmith video, I noticed something I believe has some weird implications. The basic Gnoll stat block has an AC of 15, from +1 Dex, hide armor and a shield. But in their available actions, they have using a longbow, which is a two-handed weapon? Am I forgetting something about longbows or shields, or is this implying that the DM is supposed to choose, or doff a shield mid-combat?
Generally speaking, encounters are likely to start with ranged weapons, and then switch to melee once the encounter gets closer, so it is more likely that a Gnoll will don the shield mid-combat, rather than doff it. However, yes, monster statblocks may need to adapt throughout a combat.
Note that Shields and Half-Cover both provide the same bonus to AC, so the longbow Gnoll hiding behind a tree will have the same AC as a Gnoll engaged in melee.
The weird thing is, this is the only instance of a stat-block using mutually exclusive equipment. Also made weirder by the fact that it's the only gnoll with a shield, in spite of being the weakest gnolls, and the fact that they wield a versatile melee weapon.
They're just monster stat blocks, and they are simplified for ease of use. The AC is what it is, and the information about where it comes from (natural armor, dex bonus, chain mail, shield, etc.) is almost purely flavor. Then the list of attacks a monster can make are just those listed, with generally no regard given for which weapon is in its hands at that moment.
The DM has enough on their plate without having to wonder whether each individual gnoll has their shield equipped or not.
If, however, a player took some action to force the removal of a piece of equipment from a monster, then that should have the desired effect. Heat Metal and they drop their shield? - 2 AC. Disarm maneuver when they last used a longbow attack? No more longbow attacks until they go get it from the ground.
The thing is, while it doesn't have a mechanical impact, they are very consistent about this. A creature that doesn't have natural armor always has exactly the AC you would expect from its armor + related Dex mod + possible shield. So it is very intentional. And it apparently having two different builds that are mutually exclusive is the opposite of simplified for ease of use.
I always just chalked it up to monster stat blocks not really having a spot for equipment and just adjusted stats based on what they had equipped.
It is definitely easier to -2 AC when using the bow or not use the bow while using the shield than it would be to have a list of all armor and weapons and have to calculate AC and attack/damage mods ourselves.
But those builds are only mutually exclusive for a player, not for a monster. For a monster it has an AC of 15, and it can make a longbow attack. Does the creature have a shield? Yes. Does it have a longbow? Yes. Simple.
Yup. Doesn't matter. The AC is 15. The arrow flies out of the longbow and does some damage. Those numbers stay the same unless the DM wants to change them.
If you need it to make sense, just give the longbow users scale mail, or something narratively equivalent like roughly made bone armor to make the AC consistent.
If the players ask why the melee Gnolls aren't wearing the same armor, remind them that scale mail gives disadvantage on stealth. The longbow users can ignore it because they don't need to close distance during an ambush.
On his website "The Monsters Know What They're Doing", Keith Ammann says the following:
"Honestly, I’d dispense with the longbow—it doesn’t make sense in the context of what else the MM says about gnolls. Their Strength is high enough that they gain little advantage from using one. They aren’t smart enough to craft one or social enough to barter for one. According to the flavor text, gnolls prefer to strike at easy targets; longbows are designed to puncture armor. And gnolls’ single unique feature is melee-oriented." (He's referring of course to Rampage.)
If you're going to run a gnoll pack (as I did in a recent one-shot adventure) you could have just the hunters with bows, slowing down opponents just enough for the flesh gnawers to catch them.
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Frankly, my dear, I'd rather be listening to Rehn Stillnight.
The weird thing is, this is the only instance of a stat-block using mutually exclusive equipment. Also made weirder by the fact that it's the only gnoll with a shield, in spite of being the weakest gnolls, and the fact that they wield a versatile melee weapon.
AFAIK Sword-Wraiths also have shields and longbows, and I'm sure there's some others.
My problem isn't with how to run them, I'm not planning to. I was just trying to make sense of the stat block. Though that is a good suggestion for who wears what armor.
Regarding the quote, he says that they aren't smart or social enough to get a longbow. But in the MM it is clearly stated, that the way they gain their weaponry and armor is from looting those they've killed. So they could easily have longbows. Though the idea of hunters being the only ranged gnolls does make some sense, even if ranged combat is intended to be within the tactics of the gnolls.
As I was just randomly looking at the Gnoll stat block, after watching the new Runesmith video, I noticed something I believe has some weird implications. The basic Gnoll stat block has an AC of 15, from +1 Dex, hide armor and a shield. But in their available actions, they have using a longbow, which is a two-handed weapon? Am I forgetting something about longbows or shields, or is this implying that the DM is supposed to choose, or doff a shield mid-combat?
Generally speaking, encounters are likely to start with ranged weapons, and then switch to melee once the encounter gets closer, so it is more likely that a Gnoll will don the shield mid-combat, rather than doff it. However, yes, monster statblocks may need to adapt throughout a combat.
Note that Shields and Half-Cover both provide the same bonus to AC, so the longbow Gnoll hiding behind a tree will have the same AC as a Gnoll engaged in melee.
The weird thing is, this is the only instance of a stat-block using mutually exclusive equipment. Also made weirder by the fact that it's the only gnoll with a shield, in spite of being the weakest gnolls, and the fact that they wield a versatile melee weapon.
From a quick search of humanoids:
Guard and Bullywug include a Shield and stats for wielding the spear two-handed.
Goblin and Hobgoblin include a Shield and a Bow.
It's actually very common.
They're just monster stat blocks, and they are simplified for ease of use. The AC is what it is, and the information about where it comes from (natural armor, dex bonus, chain mail, shield, etc.) is almost purely flavor. Then the list of attacks a monster can make are just those listed, with generally no regard given for which weapon is in its hands at that moment.
The DM has enough on their plate without having to wonder whether each individual gnoll has their shield equipped or not.
If, however, a player took some action to force the removal of a piece of equipment from a monster, then that should have the desired effect. Heat Metal and they drop their shield? - 2 AC. Disarm maneuver when they last used a longbow attack? No more longbow attacks until they go get it from the ground.
The thing is, while it doesn't have a mechanical impact, they are very consistent about this. A creature that doesn't have natural armor always has exactly the AC you would expect from its armor + related Dex mod + possible shield. So it is very intentional. And it apparently having two different builds that are mutually exclusive is the opposite of simplified for ease of use.
I always just chalked it up to monster stat blocks not really having a spot for equipment and just adjusted stats based on what they had equipped.
It is definitely easier to -2 AC when using the bow or not use the bow while using the shield than it would be to have a list of all armor and weapons and have to calculate AC and attack/damage mods ourselves.
But those builds are only mutually exclusive for a player, not for a monster. For a monster it has an AC of 15, and it can make a longbow attack. Does the creature have a shield? Yes. Does it have a longbow? Yes. Simple.
True. Just seems weird that it isn't noted anywhere.
I mean, it can obviously have both. But it can't wield a shield in one hand and then also use that hand for a longbow.
Yup. Doesn't matter. The AC is 15. The arrow flies out of the longbow and does some damage. Those numbers stay the same unless the DM wants to change them.
If you need it to make sense, just give the longbow users scale mail, or something narratively equivalent like roughly made bone armor to make the AC consistent.
If the players ask why the melee Gnolls aren't wearing the same armor, remind them that scale mail gives disadvantage on stealth. The longbow users can ignore it because they don't need to close distance during an ambush.
On his website "The Monsters Know What They're Doing", Keith Ammann says the following:
"Honestly, I’d dispense with the longbow—it doesn’t make sense in the context of what else the MM says about gnolls. Their Strength is high enough that they gain little advantage from using one. They aren’t smart enough to craft one or social enough to barter for one. According to the flavor text, gnolls prefer to strike at easy targets; longbows are designed to puncture armor. And gnolls’ single unique feature is melee-oriented." (He's referring of course to Rampage.)
If you're going to run a gnoll pack (as I did in a recent one-shot adventure) you could have just the hunters with bows, slowing down opponents just enough for the flesh gnawers to catch them.
Frankly, my dear, I'd rather be listening to Rehn Stillnight.
AFAIK Sword-Wraiths also have shields and longbows, and I'm sure there's some others.
My problem isn't with how to run them, I'm not planning to. I was just trying to make sense of the stat block. Though that is a good suggestion for who wears what armor.
Regarding the quote, he says that they aren't smart or social enough to get a longbow. But in the MM it is clearly stated, that the way they gain their weaponry and armor is from looting those they've killed. So they could easily have longbows. Though the idea of hunters being the only ranged gnolls does make some sense, even if ranged combat is intended to be within the tactics of the gnolls.
Memnosyne has already shown examples of other creatures that have both. So indeed, yes there is.