draw-steel-monster-generator

name: draw-steel-monster-generator description: Generates Draw Steel TTRPG monsters with formula-compliant stat blocks. Use when creating monsters, calculating stats, or designing encounters for the Draw Steel tabletop roleplaying game. license: MIT compatibility: Designed for Claude Code, Cursor, Gemini CLI, and Antigravity Google following the Agent Skills specification. metadata: author: stgreenb version: "1.0"

Draw Steel Monster Generator

Generate Draw Steel TTRPG monsters that strictly conform to official MCDM stat block format from Monster Basics chapter.

Quick Start

Input Format: "Create a [Level] [Creature Name], [Organization], [Role] [options]"

Examples:

• "Create a Level 3 Gremlin, Minion Harrier"
• "Create a Level 5 Red Dragon, Solo Brute --format foundry"
• "Create a Level 8 Lich, Solo Hexer --format both"

Output Formats: --format markdown (default), --format foundry, --format both

Cross-System Monster Conversion

CRITICAL WARNING: When converting monsters from other systems (D&D 5e, Pathfinder, etc.), use the source monster for INSPIRATION ONLY. Do NOT create equivalents or try to recreate D&D/PF2e mechanics in Draw Steel.

What This Means

✅ DO (Inspiration Only):

• Extract the THEME and CONCEPT (fire dragon, shadow assassin, undead warrior)
• Use creature type for keywords (dragon → dragon keyword, undead → undead keyword)
• Take ability CONCEPTS and reimagine them with Draw Steel mechanics (fire breath → area fire ability with Draw Steel formulas)
• Use the source monster's ROLE and LEVEL as a starting point

❌ DO NOT (Never Create Equivalents):

• Copy D&D/PF2e mechanics (flat-footed, advantage, saving throws, AC, etc.)
• Use D&D/PF2e terminology (hit points, proficiency, critical hit, etc.)
• Use dice notation (1d6, 2d8) - Draw Steel uses fixed damage values
• Use D&D/PF2e damage types (piercing, slashing, bludgeoning, necrotic, radiant, thunder, force)
• Try to recreate D&D/PF2e abilities - create NEW abilities that fit the theme

Conversion Input Format

• "Convert [Creature Name] from [System], [Level] [Organization] [Role]"
• "Convert [Creature Name]: [stat block/description] [options]"

Example: "Convert Scalathrax from Pathfinder 2e, Level 2 Elite Harrier --format foundry"

D&D/PF2e Anti-Patterns (NEVER USE)

Conversion Rules

Extract from source (for inspiration):

• Theme & creature type (fire dragon → fire keywords, dragon abilities)
• Ability concepts (fire breath → create NEW area fire ability with Draw Steel formulas)
• Damage types and malice features (use Draw Steel damage types only)

Conversion Rules

Extract from source (for inspiration):

• Theme & creature type (fire dragon → fire keywords, dragon abilities)
• Ability concepts (fire breath → create NEW area fire ability with Draw Steel formulas)
• Damage types and malice features (use Draw Steel damage types only)

Calculate using Draw Steel math:

• Stamina: ceil(((10 × Level) + Role_Stamina_Modifier) × Organization_Modifier)
  • ⚠️ Solo monsters: Role Modifier +30, EV Modifier ×6, Stamina Modifier ×5 → L1 Solo: ceil((10+30)×5) = 200
  • ⚠️ Leader monsters: Role Modifier +30, Org Modifier ×2 → L2 Leader: ceil((20+30)×2) = 100
  • ⚠️ Minions: Role Modifier varies, Stamina Org Modifier ×0.125 (NOT ×0.5!) → L1 Minion Brute: ceil((10+30)×0.125) = 5
  • ⚠️ Elite/Platoon/Horde: See table below
• EV: ceil(((2 × Level) + 4) × Organization_Modifier)
• Damage: ceil((4 + Level + Role_Damage_Modifier) × Tier_Modifier) ← NO organization modifier!
• Characteristics: Based on echelon (Levels 1-2=+1, 3-4=+2, 5-6=+3, 7-8=+4, 9-10=+5)
• Malice Features: 2 for Elite/Leader, 3 for Solo (0 for Minion/Horde)

Modifiers Quick Reference

Stamina Formula Examples:

• L1 Solo: ceil((10+30)×5) = 200 ← ×5 for stamina, ×6 for EV!
• L2 Leader: ceil((20+30)×2) = 100
• L5 Elite Brute: ceil((50+30)×2) = 160
• L3 Platoon Harrier: ceil((30+20)×1) = 50
• L1 Horde Controller: ceil((10+10)×0.5) = 10
• L1 Minion Brute: ceil((10+30)×0.125) = 5 ← ×0.125 for Minion stamina!

CRITICAL - Damage Calculation: The Organization Modifier (×6 for Solo, ×2 for Elite/Leader) is used ONLY for EV and Stamina, NOT for damage! Solo monsters get their damage boost from the Solo damage modifier (+2), not from multiplying by 6.

Free Strike Calculation

Official Rule: "A monster's free strike damage is equal to the damage calculated for a tier 1 outcome for an ability."

Free strike represents the damage dealt by basic unrolled attacks - when a monster makes a simple attack without using a named ability.

Formula:

Free Strike = Tier 1 Damage Value from Signature Ability

Examples:

• L5 Solo Brute signature deals 8/14/18 damage → Free Strike = 8
• L3 Horde Harrier signature deals 4/7/9 damage → Free Strike = 4
• L7 Leader Hexer signature deals 7/12/16 damage → Free Strike = 7

In Foundry JSON:

"monster": {
  "freeStrike": 8,
  ...
}

Never copy:

• HP, damage, attack bonuses from source systems
• Ability mechanics directly
• CR/level or AC/saves references
• D&D/PF2e terminology, mechanics, or damage types

Output Workflow

CRITICAL: All formats require internal Foundry JSON generation and validation.

Process (All Formats)

1. Generate Foundry JSON internally
2. Run validation: python .claude/skills/draw-steel-monster-generator/scripts/validate_foundry_json.py output/filename.json
3. Convert validated JSON to requested format(s)
4. Display validation results to user
5. Return output

Validation Results Format

Display one of:

**Validation: ✓ Passed** - All checks successful
**Validation found [N] error(s):** - CRITICAL issues (use --format foundry for details)
**Validation found [N] warning(s):** - Minor issues (acceptable but review)

For markdown format with errors:

**Validation found 1 error:**
- ❌ Invalid keyword "piercing" in ability keywords

The monster stat block is provided below. For detailed error information including line numbers and field names, use --format foundry.

[Markdown stat block here]

Foundry VTT JSON Schema

Core Actor Structure

{
  "name": "MonsterName",
  "type": "npc",
  "img": "systems/draw-steel/assets/roles/brute.webp",
  "system": {
    "stamina": { "value": 50, "max": 50, "temporary": 0 },
    "characteristics": {
      "might": { "value": 2, "banes": 0, "edges": 0 },
      "agility": { "value": 1, "banes": 0, "edges": 0 },
      "reason": { "value": -1, "banes": 0, "edges": 0 },
      "intuition": { "value": 1, "banes": 0, "edges": 0 },
      "presence": { "value": -1, "banes": 0, "edges": 0 }
    },
    "combat": {
      "save": { "threshold": 6, "bonus": "" },
      "size": { "value": 1, "letter": "L" },
      "stability": 0,
      "turns": 1
    },
    "movement": {
      "value": 7,
      "types": ["fly"],
      "hover": false,
      "disengage": 1
    },
    "damage": {
      "immunities": { "all": 0, "poison": 0, "acid": 0, "cold": 0, "corruption": 0, "fire": 0, "holy": 0, "lightning": 0, "psychic": 0, "sonic": 0 },
      "weaknesses": { "all": 0 }
    },
    "statuses": { "canFlank": true },
    "biography": { "value": "", "director": "", "languages": [] },
    "source": { "book": "Monsters", "page": "", "license": "Draw Steel Creator License" },
    "negotiation": { "interest": 5, "patience": 5, "motivations": [], "pitfalls": [], "impression": 1 },
    "monster": {
      "freeStrike": 6,
      "keywords": ["Beast", "Animal"],
      "level": 2,
      "ev": 8,
      "role": "brute",
      "organization": "platoon"
    }
  },
  "prototypeToken": {
    "name": "MonsterName",
    "displayName": 20,
    "displayBars": 20,
    "bar1": { "attribute": "stamina" },
    "width": 1,
    "height": 1,
    "disposition": -1,
    "texture": { "src": "systems/draw-steel/assets/roles/brute.webp" }
  },
  "items": [
    {
      "name": "Strike Ability",
      "type": "ability",
      "system": {
        "type": "main",
        "category": "signature",
        "keywords": ["melee", "strike", "weapon"],
        "distance": { "type": "melee", "primary": 1 },
        "target": { "type": "creatureObject", "value": 1 },
        "damageDisplay": "melee",
        "power": {
          "roll": { "formula": "@chr", "characteristics": ["agility"] },
          "effects": {
            "aB3c4D5e6F7g8H9i": {
              "_id": "aB3c4D5e6F7g8H9i",
              "type": "damage",
              "name": "",
              "img": null,
              "damage": {
                "tier1": { "value": "6", "types": ["poison"], "properties": [], "potency": { "value": "@potency.weak", "characteristic": "agility" } },
                "tier2": { "value": "11", "types": ["poison"], "properties": [], "potency": { "value": "@potency.average", "characteristic": "" } },
                "tier3": { "value": "14", "types": ["poison"], "properties": [], "potency": { "value": "@potency.strong", "characteristic": "" } }
              }
            }
          }
        },
        "effect": { "before": "", "after": "<p>You shift up to 2 squares.</p>" },
        "spend": { "text": "", "value": null },
        "source": { "book": "Monsters", "license": "Draw Steel Creator License" },
        "_dsid": "strike-ability",
        "story": "",
        "resource": null,
        "trigger": ""
      },
      "_id": "a1B2c3D4e5F67890",
      "effects": [],
      "ownership": { "default": 0 }
    }
  ],
  "_stats": { "systemId": "draw-steel", "systemVersion": "0.11.0" },
  "_id": "sJhjuVdliz3ThjEa"
}

Ability Type Reference

Maneuver Recommendation: Most non-minion creatures have at least one maneuver ability for movement/positioning effects (shifts, pushes, repositioning). Based on official Draw Steel monsters: Solo (100%), Leader (93.8%), Elite (80.6%), Horde/Platoon (~70%), Minion (13% - optional).

Feature Items (Passive Traits)

Use type: "feature" for passive abilities that are always active (not actions the monster takes):

{
  "name": "Lord's Bloodthirst",
  "type": "feature",
  "img": "icons/creatures/unholy/demon-hairy-winged-pink.webp",
  "system": {
    "description": {
      "value": "<p>The vampire lord regains 5 Stamina at the start of each of their turns while they have a grabbed creature.</p>",
      "director": ""
    },
    "source": { "book": "Monsters", "license": "Draw Steel Creator License", "page": "269" },
    "_dsid": "lords-bloodthirst",
    "advancements": {}
  },
  "_id": "gH7iJ8kL9mN0oP1q"
}

Feature Structure:

• type: "feature" (NOT "ability")
• system.description.value - HTML description of the passive effect
• system._dsid - Kebab-case identifier
• system.source - Book reference
• NO power, distance, target, keywords, or resource fields needed

Common Feature Names: "Lord's Bloodthirst", "Undead Resilience", "Agonizing Phasing", "Exhale", "With Captain"

Ability Categories

CRITICAL: Villain actions require BOTH type and category to be "villain":

{
  "type": "villain",
  "category": "villain",
  "resource": null,  // Villain actions NEVER cost malice
  "keywords": ["area", "magic"],
  ...
}

Solo and Leader monsters MUST have exactly 3 villain actions. These are special abilities used once per encounter at the end of any other creature's turn. Villain actions do NOT cost malice - they are separate from malice abilities.

Villain Actions vs Malice Abilities:

• Villain Actions: type="villain", category="villain", resource=null, 3 per Solo/Leader, once per encounter
• Malice Abilities: type varies (main/maneuver/none/triggered), category="heroic" or "none", resource=1-10, 0-2 per Platoon/Horde, 2-3 per Elite/Leader, 3 per Solo

Common Ability Patterns

Melee Strike (Default)

"keywords": ["melee", "strike", "weapon"],
"distance": { "type": "melee", "primary": 1 },
"target": { "type": "creatureObject", "value": 1 },
"damageDisplay": "melee"

Area Damage (Breath/Spew)

"keywords": ["area", "magic", "ranged"],
"distance": { "type": "cube", "primary": 3 },
"target": { "type": "creatureObject", "value": null, "custom": "Each creature in area" },
"damageDisplay": ""

Charge Attack

Add "charge" to keywords, include "effect.after" with movement text.

Condition/Effect Only (No Damage)

"power": { "roll": { "formula": "@chr", "characteristics": [] }, "effects": {} },
"damageDisplay": ""

Foundry VTT Rules (Critical Reference)

Valid Damage Types (CRITICAL!)

When validating damage types or conditions: ../shared/DRAW_STEEL_BASICS.md

For untyped damage: Use empty array "types": []

Breath/Spew Keywords (CRITICAL)

CRITICAL: Breath weapons and spew abilities MUST use ["area", "magic"] keywords, NOT damage type keywords like "fire" or "poison". The damage type is specified in power.effects, not in keywords.

Correct breath weapon example:

"keywords": ["area", "magic", "ranged"],
"distance": { "type": "cube", "primary": 3 },
"target": { "type": "creatureObject", "value": null, "custom": "Each creature in area" },
"power": {
  "effects": {
    "effect_id": {
      "type": "damage",
      "damage": {
        "tier1": { "value": "14", "types": ["fire"], "properties": [], "potency": { "value": "@potency.weak", "characteristic": "none" } }
      }
    }
  }
}

Characteristics & Potencies (Quick Reference)

Characteristics: Range -5 to +5 representing natural abilities.

Official Rule: "A monster's highest characteristic and power roll bonus is equal to 1 + their echelon."

Important Clarifications:

• The echelon value is a GUIDELINE for the highest characteristic, NOT a hard cap or point budget
• Official monsters sometimes exceed this guideline for thematic reasons
• The guideline applies to the highest characteristic only - other characteristics are set based on monster concept
• Leader/Solo: Add +1 to highest characteristic (max +5), and +1 to all potency values (max 6)

Potencies: Effect strength based on target's characteristic.

Example: Agility +3 target vs. poison weakness:

• Tier 1: Potency = 1 (fails if Agility < 1)
• Tier 2: Potency = 2 (fails if Agility < 2)
• Tier 3: Potency = 3 (fails if Agility < 3)

Markdown to JSON Potency Mapping:

Characteristic abbreviations: M=Might, A=Agility, R=Reason, I=Intuition, P=Presence

Example conversion:

• Markdown: M < 3 slowed (save ends) at tier 1
• JSON: "potency": { "value": "@potency.weak", "characteristic": "might" }

Compendium UUID References

Use @UUID[...] format to link to other monsters or features in Foundry VTT:

Linking to another monster:

@UUID[Compendium.draw-steel.monsters.Actor.pNA8H0vk4EDNq4UI]{Blood-Starved Vampire}

Linking to a monster feature:

@UUID[Compendium.draw-steel.monster-features.Item.EzWvhVW1uXUmKhV5]{Dread March}

These create clickable links in Foundry VTT that open the referenced entity.

_ID Format (Critical)

All _id fields must match ^[a-zA-Z0-9]{16}$ (exactly 16 alphanumeric chars).

CRITICAL: All IDs must be UNIQUE within the same monster. This includes:

• The actor's _id
• Each item/ability's _id
• Each effect's _id inside system.power.effects

⚠️ NEVER reuse the same ID for multiple entities:

// WRONG - same ID used for actor, ability, AND effect:
"_id": "Feu32e27L0EEvSda"           // Actor
...
{
  "_id": "Feu32e27L0EEvSda",        // Ability - DUPLICATE!
  "system": { "power": { "effects": {
    "Feu32e27L0EEvSda": {           // Effect - TRIPLE DUPLICATE!
      "_id": "Feu32e27L0EEvSda",
      ...
    }
  }}}
}

✅ CORRECT - every ID is unique:

{
  "_id": "I2HA61b5E3GHnHTH",        // Actor ID
  "items": [
    {
      "_id": "XyPJJOU0fiU8VyHl",    // Ability 1 ID (unique)
      "system": { "power": { "effects": {
        "le5j4jZ6dJLk4UuE": {       // Effect ID (unique)
          "_id": "le5j4jZ6dJLk4UuE",
          ...
        }
      }}}
    },
    {
      "_id": "PdL6EvIAV8xSMb3m"     // Ability 2 ID (unique)
    }
  ]
}

Workflow: Generate ALL IDs upfront, then assign them sequentially.

# Calculate needed IDs:
# 1 actor + 8 abilities + 10 effects = 19 IDs
python scripts/generate_foundry_ids.py --count 19

# Assign in order:
# ID[0] = actor._id
# ID[1] = items[0]._id
# ID[2] = items[0].system.power.effects[effect_key]._id
# ID[3] = items[1]._id
# ...and so on

Use the ID generator script to avoid errors:

# Generate 1 ID (for actor)
python scripts/generate_foundry_ids.py

# Generate 5 IDs (for monster abilities)
python scripts/generate_foundry_ids.py --count 5

Example workflow:

# 1. Generate IDs for your monster
python scripts/generate_foundry_ids.py --count 5
# Output:
# aB2c3D4e5F6G7890
# mK9jn2Lp4Qr6St8u
# vX1yZ3w5A7b9C0dE
# fG2hI4j6K8lM0nO2
# pQ4rS6tU8vW0xY2z

# 2. Use these IDs in your JSON
"_id": "aB2c3D4e5F6G7890"  # Actor ID
"_id": "mK9jn2Lp4Qr6St8u"  # Ability 1 ID
"_id": "vX1yZ3w5A7b9C0dE"  # Ability 2 ID

Manual generation is error-prone and discouraged. Common errors:

• Wrong length (15 or 17 characters instead of 16)
• Including dashes (UUID format like a1b2c3d4-e5f6-7890-abcd)
• Using placeholder text like "monster-uuid"
• Generating duplicate IDs within the same monster ← THIS CAUSES VALIDATION FAILURES

Power Roll Formula & Effects

Formula: Always use "formula": "@chr" - never use characteristic names directly.

"power": {
  "roll": {
    "formula": "@chr",
    "characteristics": ["agility"]  // Which chars can power the roll
  },
  "effects": {
    // Structured damage/condition objects go here
  }
}

Non-damaging abilities (buffs, movement):

"power": {
  "roll": { "formula": "@chr", "characteristics": [] },
  "effects": {}
}

Effect Text with HTML

Use raw HTML tags in effect.before and effect.after (NOT encoded entities):

// CORRECT:
"before": "<p>You push the target 2 squares.</p>"

// INCORRECT:
"before": "<p>You push &lt; 2 squares.</p>"

Power Roll Effects Structure (CRITICAL)

Damage and conditions MUST be structured in system.power.effects, NOT as HTML in effect.before. Foundry VTT parses these for clickable buttons and automation.

Damage effect example:

"aB3c4D5e6F7g8H9i": {
  "_id": "aB3c4D5e6F7g8H9i",
  "type": "damage",
  "name": "",
  "img": null,
  "damage": {
    "tier1": {
      "value": "6",
      "types": ["poison"],
      "properties": [],
      "potency": { "value": "@potency.weak", "characteristic": "agility" }
    },
    "tier2": {
      "value": "11",
      "types": ["poison"],
      "properties": [],
      "potency": { "value": "@potency.average", "characteristic": "" }
    },
    "tier3": {
      "value": "14",
      "types": ["poison"],
      "properties": [],
      "potency": { "value": "@potency.strong", "characteristic": "" }
    }
  }
}

Applied condition example:

"jK9l8M7n6O5p4Q3r": {
  "_id": "jK9l8M7n6O5p4Q3r",
  "type": "applied",
  "name": "Slowed",
  "img": null,
  "applied": {
    "tier1": {
      "display": "{{potency}} slowed (save ends)",
      "potency": { "value": "-1", "characteristic": "agility" },
      "effects": {
        "slowed": { "condition": "failure", "end": "save", "properties": [] }
      }
    },
    "tier2": { /* ... */ },
    "tier3": { /* ... */ }
  }
}

Valid end Values (CRITICAL)

The end field in condition effects MUST use these Foundry VTT values (from ds.CONFIG.effectEnds):

CRITICAL: These values are NOT valid (will cause Foundry validation errors):

• ❌ "healed" - NOT used in Draw Steel
• ❌ "escape" - NOT a valid end type
• ❌ "eot" - Use "turn" instead
• ❌ Any other custom values

Conditional Conditions (omit end field or use empty string):

For grabbed, prone, and frightened, do NOT include an end field - these conditions end by specific actions:

"grabbed": { "condition": "failure", "properties": [] }

Save Ends Conditions:

For most persistent conditions, use "end": "save":

"bleeding": { "condition": "failure", "end": "save", "properties": [] }
"slowed": { "condition": "failure", "end": "save", "properties": [] }
"weakened": { "condition": "failure", "end": "save", "properties": [] }

End of Turn Conditions:

For short-term effects, use "end": "turn":

"dazed": { "condition": "failure", "end": "turn", "properties": [] }

Movement & Combat Size

Movement types by creature:

• Flying creatures: ["fly"]
• Walking creatures: ["walk"]
• Amphibious: ["walk", "swim"] or ["walk", "fly"]
• Burrowing: ["walk", "burrow"]
• Disengage: Always 1 unless specified (wasps have disengage 1)

Combat size:

"combat": {
  "size": { "value": 1, "letter": "M" },
  "turns": 1  // Solo monsters: turns=2
}

Solo Turns Field: turns: 2 gives Solo monsters two initiative slots, meaning they act twice per round at different initiative counts. This makes them significantly more threatening by allowing them to respond to player actions more frequently.

Distance Type Values

Target Type Values

Critical: Self-target abilities should NOT have "value": 1:

// CORRECT:
"target": { "type": "self" }

// INCORRECT:
"target": { "type": "self", "value": 1 }

Damage Display & Spend Field

damageDisplay valid values:

• "melee" - for melee/strike abilities
• "ranged" - for ranged abilities
• "" (empty) - for area, self-target, or non-damaging abilities

Spend field (required for ALL abilities):

// No cost:
"spend": { "text": "", "value": null }

// Costs malice:
"spend": { "text": "Spend 3 Malice", "value": 3 }

Resource Costs (Malice)

Elite, Leader, and Solo monsters MUST have at least one ability with resource: integer > 0:

// CORRECT (costs 3 malice):
"resource": 3

// INCORRECT (use integer, not object):
"resource": { "value": 3 }

// No cost:
"resource": null

Malice Cost Guidelines

CRITICAL: Malice costs represent game-changing abilities, NOT just damage boosts. Higher costs = more dramatic battlefield impact.

Key Principles:

• NEVER just add "more damage" - malice must do something unique
• Think about battlefield control, not raw numbers
• Solo Action appears in EVERY Solo monster at cost 5
• Environment manipulation common at costs 5+
• Map-wide effects reserved for high costs (7+)

Design Patterns:

• Cost 1-2: Quick reactions, small areas, simple conditions
• Cost 3-4: Ally buffs, defensive stances, teleportation, free strikes
• Cost 5: Solo action, environment manipulation, split mechanics, strong auras
• Cost 7: Map-wide changes, permanent buffs, multi-part effects
• Cost 10: Ultimate abilities, multiple areas, encounter-altering effects

Summoning Abilities

Official examples show summoned creatures are typically MINIONS:

Summoning via maneuver: Cost 1-2 malice based on creature count/power Summoning via villain action: No malice cost (resource: null)

Prior Malice Features Pattern

Monsters with specific keywords (undead, dragon, abyssal, etc.) can access shared malice features from the compendium. Official undead monsters level 3+ include a "Prior Malice Features" ability:

{
  "name": "Prior Malice Features",
  "type": "ability",
  "system": {
    "type": "none",
    "category": "heroic",
    "resource": null,
    "keywords": [],
    "distance": { "type": "special" },
    "target": { "type": "special" },
    "power": { "roll": { "formula": "@chr", "characteristics": [] }, "effects": {} },
    "effect": {
      "before": "<p>The undead activates a Malice feature available to undead of level 3 or lower.</p><p>@UUID[Compendium.draw-steel.monster-features.Item.EzWvhVW1uXUmKhV5]{Dread March}</p><p>@UUID[Compendium.draw-steel.monster-features.Item.da4wUZrJsfQ3EMZ3]{Paranormal Fling}</p>",
      "after": ""
    }
  }
}

Structure:

• type: "none" and category: "heroic"
• resource: null (activates features, doesn't cost malice)
• Compendium links in effect.before using @UUID[...]{Name} format
• Lists features available at lower levels for the monster type

Damage Immunities & Weaknesses

"damage": {
  "immunities": {
    "all": 0,
    "poison": 0,
    "acid": 0,
    "cold": 0,
    "corruption": 0,
    "fire": 0,
    "holy": 0,
    "lightning": 0,
    "psychic": 0,
    "sonic": 0
  },
  "weaknesses": { "all": 0, "cold": 5, "fire": 3 }
}

Numeric Values Explained

Official Rule: "Damage immunity often has a value associated with it... Whenever a target with damage immunity takes damage of the indicated type, they can reduce the damage by the value of the immunity (to a minimum of 0 damage)."

Immunities:

• 0 = No immunity (takes full damage from this type)
• Numeric value = Reduces damage by that amount (e.g., "poison": 7 reduces poison damage by 7)
• 1000 = Total immunity (Foundry VTT pattern for "all" immunity - see Kingfissure Tongue)
• Set value to monster's level or a thematic amount (Vampire Lord L7 has "poison": 9)

Example: A monster with "fire": 5 takes 10 fire damage → reduced to 5 damage. If they take 4 fire damage → reduced to 0.

Total Immunity: Use "psychic": 1000 (or similar high value) for complete immunity. Official example: Kingfissure Tongue has "psychic": 1000.

Weaknesses:

• 0 = No weakness to this damage type
• Numeric value = Extra damage dealt TO the monster when hit with this type

Example: "holy": 5 means holy attacks deal +5 damage against this monster.

Order of Operations: Apply weakness first, then immunity. If a creature has fire weakness 5 and fire immunity 3 and takes 10 fire damage: 10 + 5 = 15, then 15 - 3 = 12 damage.

Immunity/Weakness Patterns by Creature Type

Official patterns from Draw Steel monsters:

Leaders/Solos: Add +2 to immunity values (Vampire Lord L7 has poison 9, Mummy Lord L4 has corruption 6)

Weaknesses: Typically fixed at 5 for thematic weaknesses (demons have holy weakness 5)

Valid Conditions (Draw Steel Only)

When validating conditions: ../shared/DRAW_STEEL_BASICS.md

Condition Duration Rules for Monsters:

CRITICAL: Condition durations are applied by monster abilities, NOT part of the condition name itself.

Minion-Specific Rules

Minions have unique characteristics that differ from other organizations:

Stamina Formula (CRITICAL)

Minions use ×0.125 for stamina, NOT ×0.5:

Minion Stamina = ceil(((10 × Level) + Role_Modifier) × 0.125)

With Captain Trait (Required)

Minions MUST have a "With Captain" trait, shown in the stat block table, NOT as a separate ability:

Correct format (in stat block table):

| **+2 bonus to speed**<br/> With Captain | **-**<br/> Weaknesses |

Common With Captain bonuses:

• +2 bonus to speed
• +2 damage bonus to strikes
• Gain an edge on strikes
• +2 bonus to melee distance
• +5 bonus to ranged distance

Minion Ability Structure

Minions have a simplified ability structure:

1. One signature ability (main action)
2. With Captain trait (in table, not as ability)
3. Optional passive trait (e.g., death effect, special ability)

Minions do NOT have:

• Maneuver abilities
• Malice-cost abilities
• Villain actions

Minion Death Traits (Optional but Common)

Many minions have a triggered effect when they die:

> ⭐️ **Death Grasp**
>
> When the minion is reduced to 0 Stamina, their space becomes difficult terrain.

> ⭐️ **Brittle Revenge**
>
> The minion explodes when reduced to 0 Stamina, dealing 2 damage to each adjacent creature.

Potency Notation in Markdown

When writing minion (and all monster) abilities in markdown, use the < notation for potency:

Correct:

- **≤11:** 2 damage; A < 0 prone
- **12-16:** 4 damage; A < 1 prone
- **17+:** 5 damage; A < 2 prone

Incorrect:

- **Tier 1:** 2 damage; P-2 prone
- **Tier 2:** 4 damage; P-1 prone
- **Tier 3:** 5 damage; P prone

The < notation indicates: "If [Characteristic] is less than [value], apply condition."

Self-Validation Checklist (Before Output)

• Actor type is "npc"
• All _id were generated using scripts/generate_foundry_ids.py
• All _id match ^[a-zA-Z0-9]{16}$ (16 chars)
• No duplicate _id values within the same monster (actor, items, AND effects must all have unique IDs)
• Exactly ONE ability has category: "signature"
• Monster role is valid (ambusher, artillery, brute, controller, defender, harrier, hexer, mount, support, solo)
• Monster organization is valid (minion, horde, platoon, elite, leader, solo)
• Role and organization are compatible (Solo org → role="solo" or ""; Leader org → role="leader" or "")
• Monster keywords are valid (lowercase from approved list)
• Ability keywords are valid (lowercase from approved list)
• Distance types are valid (melee, ranged, burst, cube, line, self, etc. - NOT cone)
• For minions: Stamina uses ×0.125 modifier (NOT ×0.5!)
• For minions: "With Captain" trait in stat block table
• For minions: Only ONE signature ability (no maneuvers, no malice abilities)
• For Elite/Leader/Solo: At least one ability with resource: integer > 0
• For Solo/Leader: At least one maneuver ability (type: "maneuver")
• For Elite/Horde/Platoon: Consider adding at least one maneuver (recommended but not required)
• All abilities have spend field
• power.effects contains structured objects (not empty) for signature/heroic/villain abilities
• formula: "@chr" used (never characteristic names)
• All required NPC system fields present (stamina, characteristics, combat, monster, etc.)
• Token config has bar1.attribute: "stamina"

Using Examples as Inspiration

CRITICAL: Examples are templates only - create unique abilities for each monster.

• ✅ DO: Create "Rending Talons" with unique mechanics for a wolf
• ❌ DON'T: Copy "Stinger Strike" and rename to "Claw Strike"

Every monster should be distinct and thematic. Copying examples verbatim defeats the purpose and may break Foundry VTT imports.

Create Unique Abilities

CRITICAL: Each monster should have unique, thematic abilities. Do NOT copy abilities from other monsters or source systems.

✅ DO:

• Create abilities that fit the monster's theme and concept
• Use Draw Steel mechanics and formulas
• Invent new ability names and effects
• Consider the monster's role and organization
• Make abilities that tell a story about the creature

❌ DO NOT:

• Copy abilities from examples (even with new names)
• Recreate D&D/PF2e abilities with Draw Steel stats
• Use generic ability names ("Melee Attack", "Fireball")
• Copy mechanics from source monster conversions
• Make every monster feel the same

Example: Converting a D&D Red Dragon

• ❌ WRONG: Copy "Fire Breath" with D&D mechanics (8d6 damage, Dexterity save for half)
• ✅ RIGHT: Create "Inferno Breath" with Draw Steel mechanics (cube 3, fire damage, tier-based values, Draw Steel conditions)

Example: Creating a Wolf Monster

• ❌ WRONG: Copy "Stinger Strike" and rename to "Bite Attack"
• ✅ RIGHT: Create "Pack Hunter's Fang" with unique mechanics (bleeding on hit, bonus against isolated targets)

Validation Script

Run before outputting with --format foundry or --format both:

python .claude/skills/draw-steel-monster-generator/scripts/validate_foundry_json.py output/filename.json

Output interpretation:

• PASSED (✓): All checks successful
• ERRORS (❌): Critical issues - fix before importing
• WARNINGS (⚠️): Minor issues - review but acceptable

This is MANDATORY - never skip validation.