The D&D Monster Conversion Thread

[robertsconley]

I recommend looking at the list of monsters included in Swords & Wizardry Core edition as a starting to figure out which creatures to convert first. And covert any missing creatures from that list first using the d20 stats as a guideline.

http://www.swordsandwizardry.com/cleanwpfilecore4.rtf

That will cover just about all the core D&D monsters. From there the remaining d20 monsters can be converted.

[trechriron]

First, this is awesome.

Some of the monsters (like the beholder) seem to have a full description copied from somewhere. That may be a "summary" but it doesn't look like it. How do you feel about users editing contributions?

Some of the monsters are missing DF stats (like combat rating).

I would HIGHLY recommend you increase the font size on all legal disclaimers. It's more honest (IMHO).

Also, I suggest putting a SJ Games GURPS banner with link to SJGames on the sidebar. It would look snazzy and be a nice "shout out" (also drawing some attention to the disclaimer). I was going to edit for you, but I did not have permission. My username is trechriron if you would like some help with admin/structure/main content.

[Jürgen Hubert]

Originally Posted by trechriron

First, this is awesome.

Some of the monsters (like the beholder) seem to have a full description copied from somewhere. That may be a "summary" but it doesn't look like it. How do you feel about users editing contributions?

I have no problems with it. If an edit seems inappropriate, we can always change it back later via the History.

Some of the monsters are missing DF stats (like combat rating).

Calculating Combat Rating is a major effort which not all contributors might be willing to face. But that's why this is a wiki - anyone can contribute!

I would HIGHLY recommend you increase the font size on all legal disclaimers. It's more honest (IMHO).

I disagree. The legal disclaimers are important, no doubt - they should be there, and visible.

Still, they represent "nonfunctional" aspects of the pages which won't be of immediate use to most users, and thus I think it's okay if they are in a smaller font. The WotC disclaimer, for instance, needs to be included in every D&D conversion-related page.

Also, I suggest putting a SJ Games GURPS banner with link to SJGames on the sidebar. It would look snazzy and be a nice "shout out" (also drawing some attention to the disclaimer). I was going to edit for you, but I did not have permission. My username is trechriron if you would like some help with admin/structure/main content.

You need to join the wiki before I can give you admin rights.

[Jürgen Hubert]

Originally Posted by robertsconley

I recommend looking at the list of monsters included in Swords & Wizardry Core edition as a starting to figure out which creatures to convert first. And covert any missing creatures from that list first using the d20 stats as a guideline.

http://www.swordsandwizardry.com/cleanwpfilecore4.rtf

That will cover just about all the core D&D monsters. From there the remaining d20 monsters can be converted.

To be honest, that document is not particularly useful for conversion purposes, since its stat blocks - unlike those of the d20/Pathfinder SRDs - do not list attributes or other details which would make a conversion easier.

As for what creatures should be tackled first, that is of course up to everyone's own preferences - there have been so many iterations of D&D and d20, and so many published monsters, that nobody is going to be out of conversion work any time soon. ;)

My own preference would be to finish the 3.5 Monster Manual first, since most of its creatures are available online in the SRD (which makes conversion work easier). In fact, I've created a subpage for that book which lists all the monsters that appeared in it, as well as links to any actual converted entries in the wiki. In time, I hope we will be able to add similar pages for other D&D "monster manuals"...

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by robertsconley

I recommend looking at the list of monsters included in Swords & Wizardry Core edition as a starting to figure out which creatures to convert first. And covert any missing creatures from that list first using the d20 stats as a guideline.

Or just use the Wikipedia, and go book by book. Doing this makes a bunch of smaller lists, and it isn't as daunting to look at seven different lists of 40 monsters as it is to look at 280 monsters. Just go in order Monsters and Treasure, Greyhawk, Blackmoor, Eldritch Wizardry (which is mostly psionic monsters), Moldvay Basic, Cook Expert, then look at the SRD to fill in the gaps. It's a psychological thing, and lets everyone prioritize.