Supplemental Monster Attack Matrix For AD&D

Higher hit dice monsters get the help they need
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[@danielrowan4716]

Tony - I was literally just thinking about this two days ago! I remember the expanded attack matrix. Isle of the Ape is an incredibly dangerous high level romp. I’ve got a copy buried in some storage container in my basement. I’m going to have to go dig it up now.

[@michaelberry6016]

never played that one Tony. Imagining a mash up between this... X1 Isle of Dread AND I1 Forbidden City. That would be a pulp adventure to end them all

[@maksimsmelchak7433]

👍🏻😎🇺🇸

[@glenncox9128]

I never knew about the attack matrix supplement. Interesting. 👍

[@sebbonxxsebbon6824]

The expanded attack matrix was badly needed for monsters, my 17th level fighter was hitting -10 AC on a 2. The monsters just couldn't hit him back.

[@MarkCMG]

Thanks for the video! Strange that if the far right column on the DM's screen assumes HD 16(-17) with a 17 to hit AC -10, having an 18 to hit AC -10 in the previous column (HD 14-15) and a 19 before that (HD 12-13), that it jumps to 15 to hit AC -10 for an HD 18-19 creature in the extended table. Looks like an editing error. All of the to hit numbers on the Supplemental Attack Matrix for Monsters in the Isle of the Ape should be one higher.

[@glenncox9128]

If you carefully examine all of the attack matrices in the DMG, you will notice that they are inconsistent in their progression.

[@MarkCMG]

@@glenncox9128 Well, yes and no, but there are reasons in the lower HD columns for the in the DMG. And I did a whole video on the "1E AD&D DMG Progression on the Combat Tables" but once you get passed the repeating 20s you'll find them consistent across the top. Lower all numbers on the "extended" table and it clears up a huge number of inconsistencies. I am going to guess that someone had a good idea for extending the table, made the point of starting it at 18HD since it would be consistent to do so, then forgot they should combine the 17HD column with the 16HD column, and increased the to hit as if their was an additional 17HD column standing on its own.

[@glenncox9128]

@@MarkCMG The repeating 20s are there for a reason which is explained, and have absolutely nothing to do with the inconsistent progression displayed in 4 of the 5 tables listed in the DMG (every one of them except for the fighter’s table).
I’m not referring at all to the inconsistent level GAINS at the low end of the fighter’s & monster’s tables for creatures below 1 level or hit die, either.
Once the level progression is established beyond the first level or hit die, the THAC0 leaps are inconsistent, changing from a consistent leap of 1, 2, or 3 places. This is plainly evident in 4 of the 5 tables, and is inexplicable.
I don’t know if the Dragon magazine THAC0 wheel combat computer duplicates this faithfully, or if the multiple DM screens also duplicate this progression faithfully in accordance with the DMG.
I can’t speak at all to the extended table in The Isle of the Ape module, since I don’t currently have that source available to look at. For this module, it totally makes sense that they would extend the monster table, since the hit dice categories of the monsters used in that module are greatly increased from the typical adventure. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a similar feature in the H series of modules since they deal with characters up to 100th level.

[@coachlarry6773]

Did you like the Isle of Dread as a “King Kong” type module?
I’ve never seen those charts, never had a guy that high though. That’s a lot of D&D played!

[@page121tabletoproleplaying4]

I love Isle of Dread.

[@pccleric]

POP yep you are from up north lol

[@page121tabletoproleplaying4]

I've been told that before. Something in the way I pronounce POP.