Unknown Monsters

[dmkevin]

I could be wrong on this but I believe that in an encounter the names of tokens appearing on the map and combat tracker have the monster's names on them; i.e. "goblin 1", "goblin 2", etc.

Goblins is a bad example here as what character hasn't run across them, but the characters surely don't know all monsters so they should not at least the first time they run into them be able to identify what they are.

Is there an easy way to not show the monster name or to have a random name or something pop up until creature is know. I am looking to use 3rd party monster tomes and I would like to keep the players guessing as to what they are dealing with - to include the name.

The players might eventually speak to other adventurers and then know what they are called, etc.

[Zacchaeus]

You can rename NPCs in the encounter. You would have to drag each NPC in one at a time and give them a new name if you wanted to individualise each one. Someone also did a random name generator extension for just such a purpose and as soon as I find it I'll provide a link.

Here we go (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?31699-Alternative-to-NPC-numbering-in-combat-tracker)

[Trenloe]

IDing of monsters is only present in the Rolemaster ruleset (as far as I'm aware). You can add some random characteristics with this extension: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?31699-Alternative-to-NPC-numbering-in-combat-tracker&p=272053&viewfull=1#post272053 But you'll still have the base name there. You can change the NPC name in the encounter before adding the encounter to the combat tracker.