``Because you don't eat desert first. ''
- Stephen King, when asked why one's head is safe from the Monster Under the Bed
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It is true that some min-maxing will take place with most players, this is only natural and is to be encouraged to some extent, as it raises the survival rate of low level PC's. However, you can not pit a fully fleshed out Skills & Powers character against a 2nd Edition monster and not expect the monster to get smashed into bloody bits. So here are a few tips on how to get more bite out of your monsters.
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Assign monsters ability scores. This allows a monster the
benefit of a constitution bonus and strength damage modifiers. You can determine
whether the respective creatures get an exceptional strength or constitution depending upon the monster. The player's option High Level campaigns book contains a table for just this purpose. |
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Allow some monsters, such as giants for instance, the
benefits of specialization and mastery. A frost giant chieftain who is a high master in the two handed axe is a much more deadly opponent than his second edition
brethren who has only one attack a round. |
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The combat and tactics books lists many combat options, if your PC's can make use of them allow your monsters to as well. |
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If you allow your players to make use of the optional weapon style and shield proficiency rules let your humanoids do so as well.
In my campaign I assume that if a creature regularly makes use of a shield he is at least proficient in its use. |
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Make sure that if you use a classed NPC he is as fleshed out as the players are.
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