before bad deciding creature rule

Modify Memory

Spells Player’s Handbook

creature’s natural inclinations, alignment, or beliefs. An illogical modified memory, such as a false memory of how much the creature enjoyed swimming in acid, is dismissed as a bad dream. The DM

You attempt to reshape another creature’s memories. One creature that you can see within range makes a Wisdom saving throw. If you are fighting the creature, it has Advantage on the save. On a

Moonblade

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

cause the Moonblade to flash brightly. Each other creature that is within 30 feet of you and not behind Total Cover must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have the Blinded condition for 1

minute. A creature repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. You can’t use this property again until you finish a Short or Long Rest. 96-99

Eye and Hand of Vecna

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

a lich. A treacherous lieutenant named Kas the Betrayer;Kas brought Vecna’s rule to an end in a terrible battle. Of Vecna, all that remained were one hand and one eye, grisly Artifacts that

on Initiative rolls. Necrotic Reduction. As a Magic action, you can target one creature you can see within 5 feet of yourself. The target makes a DC 18 Constitution saving throw, taking 7d6 Necrotic

Sammaster (Dracolich Form)

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

"}. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 20, each creature in a 90-foot Cone. Failure: 52 (8d12) Acid;{"diceNotation":"8d12", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Corroding Breath (Acid)", "rollDamageType":"Acid

, Speak with Dead 1/Day Each: Create Undead (level 8 version), Power Word KillLegendary Action Uses: 3. Immediately after another creature’s turn, Sammaster can expend a use to take one of the

Sammaster (Lich Form)

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

response to the spell’s trigger, using the same spellcasting ability as Spellcasting.Legendary Action Uses: 3. Immediately after another creature’s turn, Sammaster can expend a use to take one of

the following actions. Sammaster regains all expended uses at the start of each of his turns. Deathly Teleport. Sammaster teleports up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space he can see, and each creature

Abyssal Chicken

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

Bad Flier. The abyssal chicken falls at the end of a turn if it’s airborne and the only thing holding it aloft is its flying speed.Multiattack. The abyssal chicken makes two attacks: one with

its bite and one with its claws. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4;{"diceNotation":"1d20+4","rollType":"to hit","rollAction":"Bite"} to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2);{"diceNotation

Campestri

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

Constructs, Elementals, Plants, or Undead. Each other creature in the area must make a DC 10 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is incapacitated and its speed is halved, both for 1 minute. A

creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.Campestris are happy-go-lucky mushroom-like creatures with few cares or worries. They

Cadaver Collector

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute. A paralyzed creature repeats the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending

of a conquering army on the Material Plane. These fearsome Constructs obey their summoners until they are dismissed back to Acheron, but if a summoner comes to a bad end, a cadaver collector might

Cadaver Collector Legacy

Monsters Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

cadaver collector releases paralyzing gas in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a successful DC 18 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute. A paralyzed creature repeats

back to Acheron, but if a summoner comes to a bad end, a cadaver collector might wander the Material Plane for centuries, collecting corpses while searching for a way to return home. Sweeping the Dead

Swarm of Campestris

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

Mimicry. Each campestri in the swarm can mimic any voice or song it has heard, albeit in a nasal falsetto. Swarm. The swarm can occupy another creature’s space and vice versa, and the

fewer. Spores (1/Day). A 20-foot radius of spores extends from the swarm. These spores can go around corners, and they have no effect on Constructs, Elementals, Plants, or Undead. Each other creature

Wastrilith

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

defilement, you can use the optional rule on abyssal corruption in chapter 2 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide, causing the poisoned creature to be corrupted.PoisonCold, Fire, Lightning; Bludgeoning

lightly obscured;lightly obscures the area until a current clears it away. Water in containers remains corrupted until it evaporates. A creature that consumes this foul water or swims in it must make a

Orlekto

Monsters Storm King's Thunder

lightning bolt at a point it can see within 500 feet of it. Each creature within 10 feet of that point must make a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw, taking 54 (12d8);{"diceNotation":"12d8","rollType":"damage

to eliminate Hekaton or Serissa presents itself, Orlekto seizes it. Until then, he conceals his treacherous nature. Ideal: “Storm giants should rule the world. Weak leaders have let dragons and

Derro Raider

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

", "rollAction":"Hooked Spear", "rollDamageType":"piercing"} piercing damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, the derro can choose to deal no damage, and instead the target has the prone

others escaped the rule of mind flayer;mind flayers. The mind flayers’ psionic power eventually transformed these forsaken dwarves into Aberrations. You can learn more about derro in Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse.

Catoblepas

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

the creature has such a feared reputation that stories about it are ingrained in the popular culture. Any rumor of a catoblepas taking up residence nearby is taken to be a bad omen, even if the rumor is

Stench. Any creature other than a catoblepas that starts its turn within 10 feet of the catoblepas must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned until the start of the creature

Annis Hag

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

":"damage", "rollAction":"Crushing Hug", "rollDamageType":"bludgeoning"} bludgeoning damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 15 if it is a Large or smaller creature. Until the grapple ends, the target

can’t make attacks while grappling a creature in this way. Spellcasting. The hag casts one of the following spells, using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 13): 3/day each

Derro Apprentice

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

. Force Burst (Recharge 4–6);{"diceNotation":"1d6", "rollType":"recharge", "rollAction":"Force Burst"}. Raw arcane magic bursts out from the derro. Each creature within 10 feet of it must make a DC 11

Strength saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 7 (2d6);{"diceNotation":"2d6", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Force Burst", "rollDamageType":"force"} force damage and has the prone

King Jhaeros

Monsters Keys from the Golden Vault

Ashen Creature. When Jhaeros drops to 0 hit points, he explodes in a harmless cloud of ashes, leaving nothing else behind. Berserk. Whenever Jhaeros starts his turn with 60 hit points or fewer, roll

a d6;{"diceNotation":"1d6","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Berserk"}. On a 6, Jhaeros goes berserk. On each of his turns while berserk, Jhaeros attacks the nearest creature he can see. If no creature

Sage Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

can obtain it. Usually, this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. Your DM might rule that the knowledge you seek is secreted away in

Jarund Elkhardt

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

. Shield. Melee Weapon Attack: +7;{"diceNotation":"1d20+7","rollType":"to hit","rollAction":"Shield"} to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4);{"diceNotation":"2d6+4","rollType":"damage

the target is pushed to within 5 feet of a creature friendly to Jarund, that creature can make an attack against the target as a reaction. Javelin. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +7;{"diceNotation

Sword of Kas Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

power grew, so did his hubris. His sword urged him to supplant Vecna, so that they could rule the lich’s empire in Vecna’s stead. Legend says Vecna’s destruction came at Kas’s

becomes a fixation for its wielder. Destroying the Sword. A creature attuned to both the Eye of Vecna and the Hand of Vecna can use the wish property of those combined artifacts to unmake the Sword of

Planar Ally Legacy

Spells Basic Rules (2014)

fiend loyal to it to aid you, making the creature appear in an unoccupied space within range. If you know a specific creature's name, you can speak that name when you cast this spell to request that

creature, though you might get a different creature anyway (GM's choice). When the creature appears, it is under no compulsion to behave in any particular way. You can ask the creature to perform a

Mind Drinker Vampire

Monsters Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

, only one of which can be a bite attack. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6;{"diceNotation":"1d20+6","rollType":"to hit","rollAction":"Bite"} to hit, reach 5 ft., one willing creature, or a creature that is

":"Unarmed Strike","rollDamageType":"bludgeoning"} bludgeoning damage. The vampire can also grapple the target (escape DC 13) if it is a creature and the vampire has a hand free. Mind Siphon (Recharge 5

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

everywhere in the world around them, and the priests of a tribe are entrusted with the responsibility of identifying these signs and omens — both good and bad — and deciding how the tribe should

Luthic. He predicts that the war will end with Luthic the only deity standing, as the cave mother ascends to rule her warrior children. Life in the Tribe Orcs survive through savagery and force of

Moonblade Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

this creature, deciding how it acts and moves. It remains until it drops to 0 hit points or you dismiss it as an action. 00 The moonblade functions as a vorpal sword. Sentience A

hit on a roll of 19 or 20. 91–92 When you hit with an attack using the moonblade, the attack deals an extra 1d6 slashing damage. 93–94 When you hit a creature of a specific

Eye and Hand of Vecna Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

’s lieutenant Kas coveted the Spider Throne for himself, or that the sword his lord made for him seduced him into rebellion. Whatever the reason, Kas brought the Undying King’s rule to an

premonitions of danger and, unless you are incapacitated, can’t be surprise;surprised. If you start your turn with at least 1 hit point, you regain 1d10 hit points. If a creature has a skeleton

Death Kiss

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Lightning Blood. A creature within 5 feet of the death kiss takes 5 (1d10);{"diceNotation":"1d10", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Lightning Blood", "rollDamageType":"lightning"} lightning damage

Blood Drain—one replacement per tentacle grappling a creature. Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +8;{"diceNotation":"1d20+8", "rollType":"to hit", "rollAction":"Tentacle"} to hit, reach 20 ft., one

Yuan-ti Anathema

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Magic Resistance. The anathema has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. Ophidiophobia Aura. Any creature of the anathema’s choice, other than a snake or a yuan

: +10;{"diceNotation":"1d20+10", "rollType":"to hit", "rollAction":"Flurry of Bites"} to hit, reach 10 ft., one creature. Hit: 27 (6d6 + 6);{"diceNotation":"6d6+6", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction

Yuan-ti Malison (Type 3) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

5 ft., one creature. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3);{"diceNotation":"1d4+3","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Bite","rollDamageType":"piercing"} piercing damage plus 7 (2d6);{"diceNotation":"2d6","rollType":"damage

impossible to manipulate, influence, or control by nonmagical means, even as it seeks to control other creatures through terror, pleasure, and awe. Yuan-ti know that the world they hope to rule can

Needle Lord

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

Needle Defense. Each time a creature makes a melee attack against a needle lord, it takes 2 piercing damage. A creature can choose to make an attack with disadvantage to avoid this damage.Multiattack

implacable foe. Driven only by a desire to conquer and rule, it wages endless war with its army of mobile dead against all creatures it views as a threat to its domination. It might even forge treaties with

Modify Memory Legacy

Spells Basic Rules (2014)

inclinations, alignment, or beliefs. An illogical modified memory, such as implanting a memory of how much the creature enjoyed dousing itself in acid, is dismissed, perhaps as a bad dream. The GM might deem a

You attempt to reshape another creature's memories. One creature that you can see must make a Wisdom saving throw. If you are fighting the creature, it has advantage on the saving throw. On a failed

Ettin Ceremorph

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

", "rollType":"to hit", "rollAction":"Tentacles"} to hit, reach 10 ft., one creature. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4);{"diceNotation":"2d10+4", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Tentacles", "rollDamageType":"psychic

creature. Hit: 17 (2d12 + 4);{"diceNotation":"2d12+4", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Mind Bolt", "rollDamageType":"psychic"} psychic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Intelligence

Skabatha Nightshade

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

Boon of Immortality. Skabatha is immune to any effect that would age her, and she can’t die from old age. Forgetfulness. The first creature that Skabatha sees after she finishes a long rest is

invisible to her. She can’t remember seeing the creature or perceive it using her truesight until the end of her next long rest.Multiattack. Skabatha makes two Claw attacks. Claw. Melee Weapon

Pidlwick II

Monsters Curse of Strahd

Ambusher. During the first round of combat, Pidlwick II has advantage on attack rolls against any creature that hasn't had a turn yet.Club. Melee Weapon Attack: +2;{"diceNotation":"1d20+2","rollType

Ideal. “I wish I could make people happy.” Bond. “I would like to find someone—anyone—who isn't afraid of me and who enjoys my company.” Flaw. “When I'm upset, I do bad things.”Poison

Animate Objects Legacy

Spells Basic Rules (2014)

, Huge targets count as eight objects. You can't animate any object larger than Huge. Each target animates and becomes a creature under your control until the spell ends or until reduced to 0 hit points

. As a bonus action, you can mentally command any creature you made with this spell if the creature is within 500 feet of you (if you control multiple creatures, you can command any or all of them at

The Middle Path

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

The Middle Path Many DMs find that using a combination of the two approaches works best. By balancing the use of dice against deciding on success, you can encourage your players to strike a balance

bad die roll foiling the character’s plans. By the same token, a bad plan or unfortunate circumstances can transform the easiest task into an impossibility, or at least impose disadvantage.

D&D Beyond

Search Results