Unlocking 24XX: Monsters and Enemies

How do you play a game without a Monster Manual? How do you run a monster that doesn't have hit points?

In Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), enemies, threats, or adversaries—what I’ll collectively refer to as "monsters"—are typically defined by stat blocks, hit points, and dice rolls. This is a deeply mechanical approach that many players know and love, and one that provides a high degree of precision and structure for GMs.

Fair warning: 24XX takes a very different approach.

24XX offers a minimalist, narrative-first system that prioritizes storytelling and setting-aligned threats that result in faster, more engrossing encounters. Let’s explore how to run monsters in 24XX, showcasing what makes it unique compared to D&D and how it can bring new depth to your game.

What Makes Monsters in 24XX Unique?

Monsters in D&D are built around numbers: hit points, armour class, and saving throws, all of which create a structured mechanical framework. While this provides clarity and mechanical depth, it can often feel rigid or too “board gamey.” In comparison, 24XX ties monsters to the story’s context and environment, defined by behaviour, risks, and obstacles. Here’s a quick comparison:

Rather than treating monsters as static challenges to overcome through damage rolls, 24XX focuses on how they function within the story, which leads to encounters that feel more immediate and charged with interesting potential.

How to Run Monsters in 24XX

So, how do you run monsters in a game without a Monster Manual? It’s simpler than you might think. Think back to when you played make-believe as a kid—you didn’t need rules to know what an ogre could do or why it was dangerous. You just understood the threat it posed. In the same way, 24XX invites the GM and players to consider what makes sense within the genre and setting. By focusing on a monster’s behaviour and the key threats it can bring to bear on the players, running monsters becomes a matter of storytelling rather than stat management. The GM’s role shifts from managing mechanics to guiding a cohesive and immersive narrative.

But broken down, here’s how to approach running a monster in 24XX:

1. Define the Monster’s Behaviour

A monster’s behaviour is its defining trait—its motives, actions, and presence in the story. Instead of a list of attacks and abilities, consider how it acts and what it wants.

For example:

• In D&D, an owlbear might be described mechanically: “59 hit points, AC 13, multiattack with claws and beak, dealing up to 28 damage in a single round.”

• In 24XX, the same owlbear is “a ferocious hybrid predator that roams the forest, fiercely defending its territory with bone-crushing strength and relentless attacks if provoked.”

This shift encourages players to engage with the story more deeply, strategising around the monster’s motives rather than its stats.

2. Introduce Risks

Risks in 24XX replace dice-driven mechanics like attack rolls. Instead of rolling to see if the monster lands an attack, the GM narrates the stakes and prompts the players to respond.

For example:

• In D&D, the owlbear waits for its turn and then attacks with its claws and beak. The GM rolls to see if it hits. **Yawn…**

• In 24XX, the GM describes the owlbear charging forward, feathers bristling and talons outstretched.
  “It barrels toward you with a deafening roar, swinging its claws in a wide arc. What do you do?”
  “I brace for impact and will try to divert its momentum using my shield, guiding it into the large rock to my right!”
  “Ok, but you risk being knocked aside or pinned!”
  The player then rolls and the outcome is adjudicated.

This approach shifts the focus to active decision-making, making the encounter feel urgent and high-stakes.

3. Add Obstacles

In 24XX, defeating monsters often involves overcoming obstacles rather than reducing hit points. Obstacles challenge players to think creatively and collaborate.

For instance:

• In D&D, players attack until the owlbear’s hit points drop to zero. That is, the biggest obstacle to defeating an owlbear is its large number of hit points.

• In 24XX, the owlbear’s ferocity and thick hide make it a relentless and dangerous foe. Players might try to distract it with loud noises, use its limited vision to sneak past it, or bait it into charging into a trap. Understanding its territorial instincts or exploiting its single-minded aggression could be key to surviving the encounter.

Obstacles turn combat into a puzzle, making every action meaningful and avoiding combats and encounters defined by a demoralizing slog of hit point attrition.

4. Keep the Encounter Evolving

Encounters in 24XX are dynamic, with the GM adjusting the situation based on player actions and outcomes. After every roll, something should change—whether the monster adapts, the environment shifts, or new opportunities emerge.

For example:

• A failed attempt to distract the owlbear might enrage it further, causing it to lash out unpredictably or charge into the group.

• A successful effort to exploit its poor eyesight might allow the players to evade its attacks or gain a tactical advantage.

This evolving dynamic keeps encounters unpredictable and ensures players remain fully engaged.

Comparing D&D and 24XX: A Bandit Ambush

Consider this scenario: a bandit ambush.

• In D&D: The GM places bandits on a grid, each with stats like HP 20 and AC 14. Players roll initiative and take turns attacking. The encounter ends when the bandits’ hit points reach zero.

• In 24XX: The GM describes the bandits blocking a canyon pass, their crossbows trained on the players. “Their leader shouts, ‘Hand over your supplies, or we’ll take them by force!’” Players now navigate risks (being shot if they leave cover) and obstacles (the leader’s elevated position and the bandits’ coordination). Solutions might include negotiation, stealth, or staging a distraction.

Rather than a sequence of static attacks, the encounter becomes a fluid, problem-solving exercise. And the encounter carries high-stakes, because even one crossbow bolt from a lowly bandit conscript could kill a player!

Why 24XX’s Approach to Monsters Helps Unleash Fun

The simplicity of 24XX allows for encounters that are fast, creative, and FUN TO RUN! Here’s why:

• It’s Efficient: No initiative tracking or stat-heavy management to slow the game down.

• It’s Story-Driven: Monsters are woven into the narrative, enriching the story.

• It Rewards Creativity: Players must think critically and solve problems instead of relying on repetitive attack rolls.

• It’s Collaborative: GMs and players shape encounters together, creating memorable moments.

While D&D offers depth for those who enjoy tactical gameplay, 24XX’s narrative-first approach is better for groups seeking fast-paced, exciting encounters.

Tips for Running 24XX Monsters

To maximize the potential of your 24XX games, keep these principles in mind:

• Tailor to the Genre: Match risks and obstacles to your setting, whether it’s a sci-fi mech or a forest-dwelling owlbear.

• Clarify the Stakes: Ensure players understand the risks so they can make informed decisions.

• Keep It Dynamic: Let the encounter evolve with every roll or choice.

• Encourage Creativity: Reward inventive strategies, even if they diverge from your expectations.

Let Your Imagination Roar

Running monsters in 24XX can feel loose and undefined at first, especially if you’re used to the structure of stat blocks and hit points. But that looseness is exactly what makes the system so freeing, fun, and immersive. By letting go of rigid mechanics, you open the door to a more imaginative and collaborative experience, where every encounter is shaped by the story, the setting, and the players’ creativity. So grab a 24XX game, lay aside the Monster Manual, and trust something altogether more inspiring: your imagination! Let your creativity take the lead, and watch your game transform into something truly unforgettable.