D&D monsters and Chainmail Fantasy Combat

[raithe]

I've seen quite a few threads on using the 2d6 chainmail system instead of the alternate system lately. I've been wanting to try that myself in my game, but have been wondering about what to do when you get to fantasy combat and want to use monsters not present in chainmail. My thought is that the Fantasy Combat table is a massive abstraction representing basic toughness and combat prowess/tactics of the creature listed. Going from that assumption you can use them as groups rather than specific creatures. Basically representing the physical makeup and battle tactics of the type. Especially since (if you're using d6 hit die and damage) most of what makes fantasy creatures dangerous is the number of hit die and any special abilities they have. Those remain unnaffected so all we need is a general "how hard is this to hit, and how easy can it hit me" guide. Here's what I've come up with so far.

FC Name GROUP
DRAGONS----->dragonkin
ELEMENTAL--->elementals/planar/constructs
TREANT-------->fantastic creatures
GIANT---------->giantkin
LYCANTHROPE>werecreatures
ROC------------>magical beasts
TROLL\OGRE-->large\savage humanoids
WIGHT\GHOUL>coporeal undead(may switch these to lesser
WRAITH-------->incoporeal undead (and greater, not sure

below is my list of 3lb and greyhawk critters sorted to these gruops to give you a more complete idea of what I'm going for here. Note that since there is a large variance in these groups I would be modifying the tables as needed on the fly. Like "fight as dragon -3" etc; much like was done for the PC classes in 3lbs. Also bear in mind this is a first draft that is unplaytested as yet, any feedback is most welcome.

(critters with a # are greyhawk)
MAN to MAN (fights as man or hd equivilent on man to man table)
fights in a manner mostly human in nature
*note any on this table can fight as hero +/- as needed

Men
Goblins/Kobolds
Orcs
Hobgoblins/Gnolls
Skeletons/Zombies
Nixies
Pixies
Dryads
Gnomes
Dwarves
Elves
Light Horse
Medium Horse
Heavy Horse
Draft Horse (horses have special CM rules for man2man)
Druids#
Dopplegangers#
Tritons#

LARGE HUMANOID (fights as Troll/Ogre)
Too powerful massive or savage to be "men" but nonetheless manlike in basic form

Ogres
Trolls
Bugbears#
Ogre Magi#
Umber Hulks#
Lizard Men#

GIANTS (fights as Giant)
still manlike but too well giant to be humanoids

Giants
Giants,Storm#
Titans#

COPOREAL UNDEAD (fights as Ghoul/Wight)
The undead which have a physical form

Ghouls
Wights
Mummies
Vampires
Liches#(optionally as wizard?)

INCOPOREAL UNDEAD (fights as Wraith)
undead which possess no physical shape

Wraiths
Spectres
Shadows#
(optionally switch these to be lesser and greater undead)

MAGICAL BEAST (fights as Roc)
Of better than animal intelligence; or having qualities which raise them above mere animal status

Cockatrices
Basilisks
Unicorns
Pegasi
Hippogriffs
Rocs
Griffons
Displacer Beasts#
Blink Dogs#
Hell Hounds#
Phase Spiders#
Carrion Crawler#
Owl Bears#

FANTASTIC CREATURES (fights as Treant)
creatures of myth and legend, nightmare and fantasy

Medusae
Gorgons
Manticoras
Gargoyles
Minotaurs
Centaurs
Treants
Will O'Wisp#
Harpies#
Lammasu#
Beholders#

DRAGONS (fights as Dragon)
Dragons or that which in physiology and combat style is similar to a dragon

Dragons
Hydras
Chimeras
Wyverns
Purple Worms

Lycanthropes (fights as Lycanthrope)
Animalistic Shapeshifters

Lycanthrope
Wererat or Rat Man#

Sea Monsters
see water combat in volIII

ELEMENTALS/OUTSIDERS/CONSTRUCTS (fights as Elemental)
Creatures of raw force and power which embody the very essence they are composed of

Invisible Stalkers
Elementals
Djinn
Efreet
Salamanders#
Golems#


Large Insects or Animals (use a horse wolf bear as desired fights only on man2man)
possessing only a basic cunning these beast fight on instinct alone.

Ochre Jelly
Black Pudding
Green Slime
Gray Ooze
Yellow Mold
Mule
Rust Monster#
Stirges#
Giant Tick#
Gelatinous Cubes#
Giant Slug#

[Finarvyn]

Well done, Raithe. I generally do this on-the-fly, but I like how you've chosen to organize the monsters. Having a standardized list is pretty neat!

[Zulgyan]

Good! I'm also working on creature categorization for my home brew M&T booklet.

I'll open another thread cause that talk would be off-topic here.

[raithe]

Thanks, I usually do this stuff of the cuff as well but I thought if I grouped them all up like this just the typing it out and seeing it in front of me would help for future improvs of creatures from other sources. I'm always looking for anyway possible to trim down critter stats to the bare minimum. One of the things that makes me not want to run a lot of RPGs is having to stat out, or worse yet roll up all the oponents. Standardized easy to modify creatures is one of early D&D's biggest draws for me. Also saw this question pop up in a few of the 2d6 combat threads and thought it might spark some ideas.

[coffee]

I love it, and I'm giving you an exalt for doing this!

This is the sort of thing I've been meaning to do for years now, but never got around to. Thanks!

[Zulgyan]

There is a sort of subconscious project in the OD&D community to finally achieve the all d6 OD&D. Different people get different parts of it, at different times. One will finally unify all the stuff scattered throughout the Internet realm and present the all d6 D&D!

[raithe]

LOL,
That is not dead which can eternal lie.
OD&D is the Cthulhu of RPGs never dead, only dreaming. It is the secret call of the Great Old One strirring in his slumber that brings out your need to game with the d6. To revolt against the blasphemy of the D20 and all it has come to symbolize. Hearken, we must break the seals and let the Old Ones back in! (insert long string of consonants and puncuation here)
Wow I've read way too much Lovecraft.

I have noticed the trend of the all d6 D&D lately though. Little bits pop up here and there. Maybe one day the Alternate system really will be "The Alternate System" <grin>