Step One:

Monster Action Determination

Before the players announce what their characters are doing this round, the DM secretly decides what actions the monsters take. Once the DM decides what the monsters will do, he should stick by it—he’s on his honor not to switch actions after learning the players’ decisions. After all, the monsters don’t know what the PCs are going to do before they do it. If necessary, the DM can make notes about monster actions to remind himself of what they intend to do.

Generally, monsters and NPCs have the same actions available to them that the player characters do. They can charge, attack, or withdraw, just like the PCs. Monsters normally choose the most advantageous and sensible actions for the situation. Refer to Chapter Nine: Monsters, for more information.

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