Our Let’s Read of the original 1974 edition of D&D continues as we open the eldritch tome of Volume 2: Monsters & Treasure. Topics covered in this video include:
- How did D&D transform our understanding of fantasy?
- What were the original three Tiers of play in D&D?
- Why do cloud giants have a keen sense of smell?
- Why are Arneson & Gygax directly responsible for the Twilight novels?
If you want to start watching from the beginning, you can do that here.
Regarding the ability of monsters to make multiple attacks depending on their hit dice, I allow them to attack one target per hit dice each round, so a troll will be able to attack 6 different PCs each round. The same goes for PCs, so a second level warrior will be able to attack two goblins per round and so on. Obviously, if a high-level warrior finds himself having to fight a troll alone, both will only be able to make one attack per round, since they only have one target in front of them. This works and makes high-level enemies capable of handling a large party, while also allowing high-level PCs to handle large enemies.
Regarding the arrangement of the monsters in the initial table, I believe they are divided into groups: first the humanoids (from goblins to giants), then the undead, then those who petrify, then the dragons, then the Greek world, then the “summoned” (invisible stalkers – efreet), then the slimes and finally the horses.