I’m starting to write funnel Adventures for Level Zero play in Freebooters and I remember that there have been issues with the way I’ve been handling monster stat blocks, by putting them all in their own section (cf Servants of the Cinder Queen and Perilous Deeps). Some people dislike having to flip back and forth between different sections of the book. Since ease of use is a primary goal, I’m looking for more opinions!
Option 1 shows the area description with stat blocks included, and option 2 shows what they would look like in a separate chapter. The area description text for option 2 would look just like option 1, but with the “Roughneck” and “Rooster” paragraphs removed.
The stat block format is great; is there any way to include them on the page as a little inset box?
I want both! But if I have to choose, having all the information in one place might be preferable.
I voted for both as well, but if I can only have one, I’ll have them in the area description. Maybe call them out a bit more though?
Michael Prescott, I experimented with that, but it ended up taking up too much space and became untenable layout-wise on spreads where, for instance, there are 4-5 different monsters.
Wes Baker, good point — I’ll tinker with ways to make them easier to spot.
Cards? As in, they can be printed or ordered as cards…
Christo Meid Into that for sure. Same size as Magic Cards, so they can be sleeved. Heck, then I can finally get Freebooters of Dominaria to the table 🙂
I prefer monster stats in different sections because I like to plunder & mix-n-match fiction/mechanics and monsters independently. Keeping these separate makes it easier to reskin for my own campaign.
So… +1 to Wes Baker’s suggestion to have both but enhance the in-text stats for those who run as-is?
I also would like blocks in the chapter format but in the areas of the description. Failing that I like Christo Meid ‘s idea of cards.
I had not even considered doing both, because I’m usually so focused on minimizing page count! I will definitely take that possibility into consideration.
Oh, yeah, both!
“Overrated reptile”. Nice.
Instead of a totally separate chapter for the stat blocks, can you have them at the end of the area they are most likely to be first encountered?
Both is nice
For me, the most efficient is to have a summary statblock in the page (possibly separated), and separated pages with full descriptions to keep at hand for when I need the extra information.
Both as well! Can do more detailed world building in the separate pages of monsters, and have minimal blocks inline.
I think the dangers should be a separate book They’re more portable this way.
Another vote for both. The text on page is handy, but the stat block is more legible for me.
My input is to make the stat blocks in an electronic, easy to print format, regardless of how they are placed in the physical book.