Expressions and variables

Expressions calculate values from the monster's statistics instead of using fixed numbers. They are useful when a value should change automatically as the monster's Challenge Rating, level, ability scores, or other statistics change.

For example:

8 + PROF + WIS

calculates a saving throw DC using:

• 8 as the base DC
• PROF as the monster's proficiency bonus
• WIS as the monster's Wisdom modifier

For a monster with a +6 proficiency bonus and a +4 Wisdom modifier, the expression evaluates to:

8 + 6 + 4 = 18

Expressions can only be used in fields that explicitly support them. The editor identifies these fields and reports expressions that contain unknown variables or invalid syntax.

Variable names are case-insensitive, and spaces inside expressions are optional. For example, these expressions are equivalent:

8 + PROF + WIS
8+prof+wis

Variables

Variables are placeholders for values taken from the monster being edited. When the corresponding statistic changes, every expression using that variable is recalculated automatically.

Progression and Size

Ability Scores

The abbreviated ability variables represent ability modifiers:

Add VALUE to an ability abbreviation to use its full ability score instead:

For example, a monster with Strength 18 has:

STR = 4
STRVALUE = 18

Defense and Hit Points

Movement

Movement variables represent distances in feet.

Operators

Expressions support the following mathematical operators:

Use parentheses to control the order in which operations are evaluated:

10 + 5 * (LVL / 3)

Signed numbers are also supported:

-5
+2
STR * -2

Division

The editor provides two division operators because monster statistics usually require whole numbers.

The / operator rounds the result down:

3 / 4 = 0
7 / 4 = 1

The \ operator rounds the result up:

3 \ 4 = 1
7 \ 4 = 2

This makes it possible to control exactly when a value increases.

For example:

LVL / 4

increases at levels 4, 8, 12, and so on, while:

LVL \ 4

already evaluates to 1 at level 1.

Comparisons

Comparison operators return:

• 1 when the comparison is true
• 0 when the comparison is false

This allows expressions to apply a value only when a condition is met.

For example:

(LVL > 3) * PROF

Before level 4, LVL > 3 is false and evaluates to 0:

0 * PROF = 0

From level 4 onward, it evaluates to 1:

1 * PROF = PROF

Multiple comparisons can be combined to create values that become available at specific levels:

(LVL > 16) + (LVL > 23)

This expression evaluates to:

• 0 before level 17
• 1 from level 17
• 2 from level 24

Dice in Expressions

Dice expressions such as 1d6 and 2d8 can be used inside calculations:

2d8 + CON

When dice are used inside an expression, the editor uses their deterministic average instead of rolling them. For example:

1d6 = 3
2d6 = 7
1d8 + 3 = 7

Dice written inside expressions are therefore not clickable or rollable. To create a clickable dice roll in an action, use an Inline Value instead:

{1d6 cold damage}

Examples

Saving Throw DC

Calculate a Constitution-based saving throw DC:

8 + PROF + CON

Size-Based Damage Die

Calculate the number of sides of a damage die from the monster's size:

SIZE * 2

This produces:

The result can be used as the die size of an attack.

Level-Based Increase

Increase a value by 2 every four levels, starting with a base value of 2:

(LVL / 4) * 2 + 2

This evaluates to:

Scaling Distance

Start at 10 feet and add 5 feet every three levels:

10 + 5 * (LVL / 3)

Limited Uses

Set the number of uses to the monster's Charisma modifier, with a minimum of one use:

(CHA > 0) * CHA + (CHA < 1)

This evaluates to 1 when the Charisma modifier is zero or negative. Otherwise, it evaluates to the Charisma modifier.