Custom Monster vs. Editor

[ri_gamer]

What is your preference? I'm starting to convert a number of Pathfinder creatures into my 5E adventures and want to pick the best way.

[daplunk]

It really depends on how you use the monster IMO.

If you use just Hero Lab and rely on the database to bring monsters in then I preference doing them properly in the editor. If i'm preparing something for sale I use the editor. If I'm doing something for personal use that I will use often I use the editor.

If you use Realm Works to store your monsters then I preference the custom monster. If I'm preparing something for minimal personal use I use the Custom Monster Race.

[dungeonguru]

I will use the custom monster builder to quickly get an idea of what the CR should be or if I'm making a throwaway monster. For long term, my opinion is that building the monster properly in the editor is worth the effort.

Also, you can't do scripting with the Custom Monster builder, so if you have an "Activated" ability that grants +2 to strength or does an extra 1d6 poison damage on attacks or changes AC, you can't reflect that you've turned something on or off easily.

If you just use HL to store PCs and NPCs that you later import into D20 or FG or any VTT, then all that is less useful I suppose.