Differentiate the two "Hook Horror" spawns

[Jayde Moon]

Sankis, it can't really be said of 'every creature'.  You could make the argument that it could be said of every aberration.  There is a basic enough understanding of human physique and anatomy that it is easy to tell that a more muscular looking human will be stronger (for example).  To declining degrees, the same could be said for native humanoids, animals, and a host of other creatures.

Many creatures in the palette that are identified in a way that suggests their 'power level' are actually done so based on equipment carried or literal size differences.  A Goblin Trooper carries different equipment than a Goblin Shaman, and a basic understanding of how and why individuals carry equipment assists in identifying that a particular Goblin has more or different experience than another Goblin.

Animals are differentiated from one another by size and hair color (even if our creature palate cannot cover the sheer breadth of choices).

Aberrations are a completely alien being and there is not an understanding of what makes one tick or how one that is stronger looks or one that is faster, etc.  The only IC definitions that you might find are if they have skin coloration (as mentioned above with Elder Hook Horrors) or size (Behemoth Umber Hulks).  Outside of that, any one looks the same as any other.

It is not a perfect system, as I suppose a hook horror would subtly shift in color from normal hook horror color to elder hook horror color with the various shades indicating increasing difficulty, but who is actually to say?  They could very well just shift color all at once, when they reach a certain threshold.  They are alien beings!  But even if it's the former, we do not have the breadth of options to show this.

So, instead of asking for a metagamed ability to gauge the exact strength of potentially scary monsters, play the IC sense that hook horrors are a gamble and that one may be more dangerous than another.

[Ryan]

There are, in fact, ways to tell how difficult a hook horror encounter will be, which is best found out in game.

... or I may write about it!

[Yalta]

As Aefar says, maybe it would be good for other aberration mobs to have some CR randomisation? Unless Hook Horrors are supposed to be different to all other mobs in this regard?

[Inquisitor]

Just avoid dem Spire Horrors, guis

[Jayde Moon]

Intended Suggestion:  Differentiate hook horrors

End Suggestion:  Randomize other aberrations

I think this thread is done.