: Pulling up tactical advice right at the virtual tabletop (VTT) or behind a DM screen streamlines game prep.
For many DMs, combat can be one of the most challenging parts of running a game. The pressure to make split-second decisions in response to unpredictable player actions often leads to encounters that feel flat or are too easy to defeat. "The Monsters Know What They're Doing" provides a pre-session planning tool, applying the real-world principle that "soldiers don't whip out their field manuals for the first time when they're already under fire". By internalizing the tactics for a given monster beforehand, a DM can run combat with confidence and creativity.
These are front-line brawlers. They close the distance immediately, attempt to grapple or shove, and absorb incoming damage directly (e.g., Ogres, Orcs). Core Monster Tactics Compared the monsters know what they 39re doing pdfcoffee
An intelligent creature utilizing tactics can easily threaten players, even if the CR seems low.
For decades, DMs have relied on a tried-and-true formula for creating encounters: throw a bunch of monsters at the players, add some treasure and traps, and voilà! Instant adventure. However, this approach often leads to predictable, formulaic gameplay, where the only variable is the players' ability to hack and slash their way through the encounter. This is where "The Monsters Know What They're Doing" comes in – a game-changing approach that flips traditional DMing on its head. : Pulling up tactical advice right at the
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| This is a . | | :--- | | Tactic | Description | Examples from the Book | | Hit-and-Run | Monsters strike and retreat, using high speed to avoid retaliation. | Goblins, Kobolds, Quicklings. | | Pack Tactics | Creatures swarm a single target to gain advantage on attack rolls. | Wolves, Hobgoblins, Gnolls. | | Brute Force | Monsters rely on raw power and high HP to overwhelm opponents. | Ogres, Trolls, Hill Giants. | | Spellcasting Control | Enemies use spells to shape the battlefield, hinder players, or escape. | Liches, Mind Flayers, Hags. | "The Monsters Know What They're Doing" provides a
TheMonstersKnow.com remains a free, excellent resource with dozens of entries covering the base Monster Manual. Conclusion
Ammann classifies monsters based on their behavior, allowing you to quickly adapt their tactics. 1. The Tactics of Intelligence vs. Instinct
These monsters deal high damage but have low health. Ammann emphasizes that strikers should prioritize hit-and-run attacks, using camouflage, ambush tactics, or ranged attacks from safety rather than standing in the middle of a melee. 3. The "Caster" Approach