Tim Kask on TSR #2: Creating the Bulette

sure, the Landshark was from SNL, but the rest of his ideas were from MadTV. why'd you cut that part out?

Sweet, I have that plastic Bulette figure I got from a Japanese toy store in the 70's.

That would explain why early D&D monsters look so retarded. (Awaits the pitchforks)

Still, this kind of stuff is interesting. I feel like I'm behind for my time, I kind of wish I was back in this era with these people. Now that the market's pretty saturated I'm kind of screwed for what to do.

This is very interesting... I had no idea they just came up with monster ideas just from existing miniatures.
Although, by French spelling rules, it would have to be spelled bulet to be pronounced as "bu-lay."

Very interesting to hear the yore lore. I remember that even back when I was 10 and just starting out that many of the D & D monsters (mimic, rust monster, earworms? etc.) seemed specifically antagonistic to adventurers/play styles. I didn't know at the time how the wargaming/boardgaming origins of the game at the time we played for the roleplaying that influenced design choices. Having read about it over the years, specific examples like this seem like the same mechanical design choices video game designers make today. Videos like these are a real treasure.

Not one dislike

The Bulette is literally one of my favorite D&D monsters. It's pretty awesome to finally know how it came to be, lol!

this hilarious. the reason i looked this up is because i had always wondered the origin of bullette. as a child i had this bag of plastic monsters you speak of. As i got older and played D&D i recognized the picture of bullette as the toy i had as a child. they were so similar that i assumed this creature (in plastic form and picture form) had some basis in mythology. turns out...no. these guys had the same cheap toys as i did.

"it'll eat your brain. Make you think twice next time"

I see what you did there

I need a monster that eats horses!! lol!!!

Aww man! I found my bullette 🤣 I was afraid of thrown it away. I can't recall from whence it came but I think it predates my DnD days from the late 80's 😂

I always loved the bulette!

I too had that bag of monsters in the 70s! Saw the drawing in the MM years later and said "hey, I've got that toy!" Still have it around somewhere.

Amazing

This video showed us how they would balance up the game. They balance it with monsters not mechanics. And that is how a lot of the monsters came to be: ballot to stop dwarves horse infestation. Mimic to make you think twice before looting everything. Making you be more cautions. this is just gold

"As your party walks along, you hear a subtle yet strong whisper, seemingly coming from the ground. 'Trick or treat for UNICEF'."
None of my players are old enough to get this reference.