Creating Monsters

The monster creation form is organized into three tabs: Details, Actions, and Legendary. This guide walks through each section of the interface.

Details Tab

The Details tab contains all the core monster statistics.

Identity Row

The first row contains the monster’s basic identity:

Field	Description	Expression Support
Name	The monster’s name (required)	No
Alignment	Moral alignment (dropdown)	No
Creature Type	Aberration, Beast, Celestial, etc. (dropdown)	No
Monster Subtypes	Tags like “devil”, “demon” (multi-select)	No
Image	File upload only (no direct URL input)	No

Ability Scores Row

Six ability score inputs, each showing the raw score and calculated modifier:

Field	Range	Example
Str	1-30	18 (+4)
Dex	1-30	14 (+2)
Con	1-30	16 (+3)
Int	1-30	10 (+0)
Wis	1-30	12 (+1)
Cha	1-30	8 (-1)

The modifier is calculated automatically: floor((score - 10) / 2)

Tip

When you change ability scores, the expression engine context updates automatically, so expressions like str + prof will reflect the new values.

Saving Throws

A popover button that opens a panel to configure saving throw proficiencies.

Expression Support: Yes

You can use math notation to modify saving throws:

prof           # Just proficiency
prof + 2       # Proficiency plus bonus
prof * 2       # Double proficiency (expertise)

The display shows the computed value: “Str +6, Con +5, Wis +3”

Combat Stats Row

Field	Description	Expression Support
AC	Armor Class - can include description	Yes
Hit Die	Dice expression for HP	Yes
Avg HP	Auto-calculated from Hit Die + CON	No (computed)

AC Examples:

17 (natural armor)
15 (chain mail)
10 + dex
13 + dex (studded leather)

Hit Die Examples:

4d8
10d10
21d12

The Avg HP is automatically calculated: dice average + (CON modifier × number of dice)

Classification Row

Field	Description	Expression Support
CR	Challenge Rating (dropdown: 0, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1-30)	No
P.Bonus	Proficiency bonus (auto-calculated from CR)	No (computed)
Role	Monster role: Ambusher, Artillery, Brute, etc.	No
Size	Tiny, Small, Medium, Large, Huge, Gargantuan	No

Defenses Row

Field	Description	Expression Support
Condition Immunities	Multi-select of conditions	No
Damage Adjustments	Resistances, immunities, vulnerabilities with notes	No
Languages	Multi-select with custom option	No

Damage Adjustment Format:

• Select damage type + adjustment type (resistance/immunity/vulnerability)
• Add optional notes like “from nonmagical attacks”

Movement & Senses Row

Field	Description	Expression Support
Speeds	Walk, Burrow, Climb, Fly, Swim (in ft.)	No
Senses	Blindsight, Darkvision, Tremorsense, Truesight (in ft.)	No
Skills	All 18 skills with expression support	Yes

Skills - Expression Support: Yes

Opens a popover with all 18 skills. You can use expressions:

prof           # Proficient
prof * 2       # Expertise
prof + 2       # Proficient with bonus

The display shows computed values: “Perception +8, Stealth +6”

Actions Tab

The Actions tab contains four markdown text areas for different action types:

Field	Description
Traits	Passive abilities like “Amphibious” or “Magic Resistance”
Actions	Standard actions including attacks and abilities
Bonus Actions	Bonus action abilities
Reactions	Reactive abilities like “Parry” or “Uncanny Dodge”

Writing Actions with Expressions

Actions are written in Markdown with expressions embedded in curly braces {}:

**Bite.** _Melee Weapon Attack:_ {Hit prof + str} to hit,
reach 10 ft., one target. _Hit:_ {2d10 + str piercing}.

The expressions will be parsed and displayed with computed values in the statblock preview.

Cmd/Ctrl + K Template Wizard

Inside monster action textareas, press Cmd/Ctrl + K and choose Monster Action Wizard for a guided template flow.

The wizard prompts for:

1. Delivery (Melee, Ranged, or Melee or Ranged)
2. Family (Weapon, Spell, or Power)
3. Reach/range
4. Damage type
5. Action name

The ability stat is inferred automatically from the monster’s scores:

• Weapon actions use the higher of str or dex.
• Spell and power actions use the highest of int, cha, or wis.

Generated output uses this style:

**_Tail._** _Melee Weapon Attack:_ {Hit prof + str} to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. _Hit:_ {2d8 + str bludgeoning}.

**_Psionic Bolt (1st-Order Power)._** _Ranged Power Attack:_ {Hit prof + int} to hit, range 120 ft., one target. _Hit:_ {2d8 + int force}.

**_Arcane Staff._** _Melee or Ranged Spell Attack:_ {Hit prof + int} to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 30 ft., one target. _Hit:_ {2d8 + int lightning}.

Expression Syntax in Actions

Expression Type	Syntax	Example
Attack Roll	{Hit <modifier>}	{Hit prof + str}
Damage	{<dice> <type>}	{2d6 + str slashing}
Save DC	{DC <value> <SAVE>}	{DC 8 + prof + con DEX}
Multi-damage	{<dice> <type> + <dice> <type>}	{2d6 slashing + 2d6 fire}

Example: Complete Attack Action

**Longsword.** _Melee Weapon Attack:_ {Hit prof + str} to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target. _Hit:_ {1d8 + str slashing}, or
{1d10 + str slashing} if used with two hands.

Example: Breath Weapon

**Fire Breath (Recharge 5-6).** The dragon exhales fire in a
60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a
{DC 8 + prof + con DEX}, taking {12d6 fire} on a failed save,
or half as much damage on a successful one.

Legendary Tab

The Legendary tab contains four additional action type fields for powerful creatures:

Field	Description
Legendary Actions	Actions that can be taken at the end of other creatures’ turns
Mythic Actions	Actions available after mythic trait triggers
Villain Actions	MCDM-style villain actions for dramatic encounters
Lair Actions	Actions tied to the creature’s lair

These fields use the same Markdown + expression syntax as the Actions tab.

Cmd/Ctrl + K Section Wizards

Inside each Legendary tab textarea, press Cmd/Ctrl + K to open a section-specific scaffold wizard:

• Legendary Actions -> Legendary Actions Wizard
• Mythic Actions -> Mythic Actions Wizard
• Villain Actions -> Villain Actions Wizard
• Lair Actions -> Lair Actions Wizard

Each wizard inserts a starter block that automatically uses the current monster name.

Example: Legendary Actions

The dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the
options below. Only one legendary action option can be used
at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn.

**Detect.** The dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.

**Tail Attack.** The dragon makes a tail attack:
{Hit prof + str} to hit, {2d8 + str bludgeoning}.

**Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions).** Each creature within 15 feet
must succeed on a {DC 8 + prof + str DEX} or take
{2d6 + str bludgeoning} and be knocked prone.

Live Preview

As you edit the monster, a live Statblock preview shows how the monster will appear. The preview:

• Renders all computed values from expressions
• Shows the full formatted statblock
• Updates in real-time as you make changes

Saving Your Monster

Click the Save button to save your monster. The system will:

1. Validate all required fields
2. Compute the crNum from CR for sorting
3. Parse and validate all expressions
4. Save to your homebrew bestiary