before better diffusing combat revealing

Razorvine Blight

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

False Appearance. If the blight is motionless at the start of combat, it has advantage on its initiative roll. If a creature hasn’t observed the blight move or act, that creature must succeed

by the seemingly inanimate plant, the blight strikes, revealing its twisted, humanlike form and lashing out with razor-sharp vines to feed its bloodlust. While razorvine blights are usually

Molted Lizard Skin

Equipment

Combat Utility Whimsy 15 12 12 For maximum results, try to find a whole skin that has been thoroughly dried by the sun. The crispier the better.

Warduke

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

better comes along.” Flaw. “I don’t have a single friend I can count on.” Combat Notes Warduke likes to hit things with his sword; it’s as simple as that. League of

Entertainer Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

liking to you. Variant Entertainer: Gladiator A gladiator is as much an entertainer as any minstrel or circus performer, trained to make the arts of combat into a spectacle the crowd can

enjoy. This kind of flashy combat is your entertainer routine, though you might also have some skills as a tumbler or actor. Using your By Popular Demand feature, you can find a place to perform in

Trapper

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

False Appearance. If the trapper is motionless on a floor, wall, or ceiling at the start of combat, it has advantage on its initiative roll. Moreover, if a creature hasn’t observed the trapper

hibernation that can last for months, though it is still aware when prey comes near. A trapper on the verge of starvation might defy its instincts and abandon its old territory in search of better hunting.

Hundred-Handed One

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

Reactive. The giant can take one reaction on every turn in a combat. Vigilant. The giant can't be surprised.Multiattack. The giant makes four longsword attacks or two rock attacks. Longsword. Melee

performed dark rituals, robbing the power of ancient, slumbering giants and using it to transform their servants. This primal energy granted the archons' agents numerous limbs—the better to raise the

Skylla

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

into allowing her to serve as the primary liaison between the League of Malevolence and the Hourglass Coven, claiming her pact with Baba Yaga made her better suited for the role than anyone else

feel beholden to stay on good terms with her vile spawn, the hags of the Hourglass Coven.” Flaw. “I don't have a single friend I can count on.” Combat Notes Skylla is not an

Gladiator Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

A gladiator is as much an entertainer as any minstrel or circus performer, trained to make the arts of combat into a spectacle the crowd can enjoy. This kind of flashy combat is your entertainer

; FEATURE: BY POPULAR DEMAND You can always find a place to perform in any place that features combat for entertainment — perhaps a gladiatorial arena or secret pit fighting club. At such

Alustriel Silverhand

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

Weave favors those who act with mercy and compassion, seeks to deliver lives of security for all, and bolsters people’s efforts when they seek to right wrongs and combat evil. Nowhere are

Alustriel and her deeds better known than in the Silver Marches and its capital, Silverymoon. Alustriel ruled Silverymoon for centuries, once disguised as a wizard named Elué Dualen and then later

Ringlerun

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

","rollDamageType":"lightning"} lightning damage; 5 charges), magic missile (1 charge), ray of enfeeblement (1 charge), or wall of force (5 charges).Ringlerun became an adventurer to better satisfy his craving for

when people who are clearly less intelligent want to tell me what to do.” Combat Notes Ringlerun can fend off melee attackers with wild swings of his staff, but he prefers to fly out of reach and

Urchin Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

securely for at least ten days. How did you come by that money? What allowed you to break free of your desperate circumstances and embark on a better life? Skill Proficiencies: Sleight of

are not in combat, you (and companions you lead) can travel between any two locations in the city twice as fast as your speed would normally allow. Suggested Characteristics Urchins are

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

others can be exploited through bribes, favors, or threats. As creatures devoid of emotion, yuan-ti exhibit behavior and use tactics that exemplify that outlook (or lack of one). Whether in combat

odds aren’t in their favor. A short retreat might be just the thing to reach a better tactical position, find allies, or to allow the yuan-ti the opportunity to study their opponents and

Deep Dragon Wyrmling Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

combat. Deep dragons look down on any creature that isn’t useful to them, though they are willing to bargain for knowledge they lack. Creating a Deep Dragon Use the Deep Dragon Personality

"} Ideal 1 Understanding. True power comes from the ability to discern other creatures’ motivations better than they can discern yours. (Any) 2 Kindred. All dragons are kin to one

Young Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

manipulation and crafty dealmaking to exerting themselves in combat. Deep dragons look down on any creature that isn’t useful to them, though they are willing to bargain for knowledge they lack

":"1d6","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Ideal"} Ideal 1 Understanding. True power comes from the ability to discern other creatures’ motivations better than they can discern yours

Entertainer - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

entertainer as any minstrel or circus performer, trained to make the arts of combat into a spectacle the crowd can enjoy. This kind of flashy combat is your entertainer routine, though you might also have some

skills as a tumbler or actor. Using your By Popular Demand feature, you can find a place to perform in any place that features combat for entertainment — perhaps a gladiatorial arena or secret

Dimir Operative

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

Traits d8 Personality Trait 1 I’m good at hiding my true thoughts and feelings. 2 When I’m in doubt about revealing something, I assume it’s a secret, and I

people’s nightmares. 6 Combat is meant to be quick, clean, and one-sided. 7 I like to stick to the shadows. 8 I never show my anger. I just plot my revenge. Ideals

Urchin - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

circumstances and embark on a better life? Skill Proficiencies: Sleight of Hand, StealthTool Proficiencies: Disguise kit, thieves’ toolsEquipment: A small knife, a map of the city you grew up

can find passages through the urban sprawl that others would miss. When you are not in combat, you (and companions you lead) can travel between any two locations in the city twice as fast as your

Auril (Second Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

ice with which to combat foes. These weapons are supernaturally resilient until Auril discards them, whereupon they break and melt like normal ice. Auril the Frostmaiden Auril the Frostmaiden is a

that can harm her. Auril’s worshipers know better than to disturb her self-imposed isolation. Terrible blizzards have cut off Icewind Dale from the rest of the world, and a shroud of mist

Golgari Agent

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

coins Feature: Undercity Paths You know hidden, underground pathways that you can use to bypass crowds, obstacles, and observation as you move through the city. When you aren’t in combat, you

bother to couch my opinions in flattering words. 5 I can’t help but pocket any trinket or coin I come across, no matter how worthless. 6 I’m convinced that I’m better and

Ghost Stories

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Ghost Stories Ghost stories number among the more psychologically elaborate genres of horror. Only through revealing tales of tragedy and past wrongs can heroes truly bring peace to forces that share

heroes to spirits in ways they won’t predict, such as revealing that a phantasmal villain was a hero’s ancestor. Heroes are pure-hearted or unsuspecting individuals whose resolve is shaken by the story’s

Adult Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

of far-off lands. Many seek out new insights and tricks that they can use against other denizens of the Underdark, preferring social manipulation and crafty dealmaking to exerting themselves in combat

1 Understanding. True power comes from the ability to discern other creatures’ motivations better than they can discern yours. (Any) 2 Kindred. All dragons are kin to one another

Razorvine Blight

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Morte’s Planar Parade

still to appear as ordinary razorvine. When unassuming travelers pass by the seemingly inanimate plant, the blight strikes, revealing its twisted, humanlike form and lashing out with razor-sharp

vines to feed its bloodlust. While razorvine blights are usually dangerous, in Sigil they sometimes mimic the behaviors of the city’s other inhabitants—for better or worse. At least one blight, known as

Green Dragons

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual

for centuries without revealing themselves; even their most devoted followers might know them only as the voice of the woodlands or a whisper in their dreams. Despite their might, most green dragons

disdain physical violence, viewing combat as servants’ work and preferring to trick foes into dangerous or exploitative scenarios. These dragons collect “baubles” that embody their webs of manipulation

Ancient Deep Dragon Legacy

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

far-off lands. Many seek out new insights and tricks that they can use against other denizens of the Underdark, preferring social manipulation and crafty dealmaking to exerting themselves in combat

1 Understanding. True power comes from the ability to discern other creatures’ motivations better than they can discern yours. (Any) 2 Kindred. All dragons are kin to one another, and

Gold Dragons

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual

Gold Dragons Dragons of Hope and Majesty Habitat: Forest, Grassland; Treasure: Arcana Gold dragons work to make the world a better place. The most powerful of the metallic dragons, these awe

-inspiring dragons strive to protect that which is good and bend fate toward a brighter future. Their kind dispositions don’t prevent gold dragons from engaging in combat when necessary, though, and they

Flumph

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual

often encounter dangerous beings such as aboleths and mind flayers. While flumphs generally avoid combat, they often help adventurers in peril. Such help might be of doubtful use, but flumphs mean well

Performing a psychic song or “smell poem.” 3 Recovering and nursing fallen adventurers. 4 Revealing the location of helpful magic items. 5 Serving as a guide to a foe’s hidden lair. 6 Sharing excessive encouragement and praise.

Kobold Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

provoke retaliatory attacks from the creatures they steal from. It’s better to be cautious and overlooked than to be considered dangerous and a threat. In a couple of situations, kobolds might

owner, they are often willing to take the chance of revealing themselves because the potential reward is worth the risk. Dragon Servitors Kobolds believe that they were created by Tiamat from the blood

Tracking Monsters' Hit Points

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

Tracking Monsters’ Hit Points During a combat encounter, you or a player should track how much damage each monster takes. Most DMs track damage in secret so their players don’t know how many Hit

mountain pass For example, in a combat encounter with three ogres, you could use three identical ogre miniatures tagged with stickers marked A, B, and C, respectively. To track the ogres’ Hit Points, you

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

and know the most about the territory farthest from the tribe’s lair. These individuals hunt game in peaceful times, and in combat they serve as scouts, foot soldiers, and cavalry. Gatherers

new leader can act as the real boss. If the creature brushes aside such manipulation, the tribe falls into line behind the new tyrant—better to abide the new rule than conspire against it and be

Doppelganger

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Infernal Machine Rebuild

spread fear, suspicion, and deceit better than doppelgangers. Found in every land and culture, they can take on the guise of any individual of any race. Doppelganger Medium monstrosity

. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Ambusher. In the first round of a combat, the doppelganger has advantage on attack rolls against any creature it surprised. Surprise Attack. If the

Parade Ambush

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

, revealing themselves to be guards protecting the Prince of Vice. As bystanders flee the area, the character who has the highest passive Wisdom (Perception) score spots a figure in green and yellow

farthest from the characters. Map 5.1: parade routeView Player Version Azra Nir. Azra uses the acolyte stat block and is surprised during the first round of combat. He seeks only to escape the chaos

Strahd's Powers and Dominion

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

appear in the clouds, changing the weather, and so forth. He can’t use these effects to aid him in combat, but they can make his presence known throughout the land. Master Vampire. Strahd eagerly

plays the parts of nobleman and gracious host, but drops these pretenses when they no longer serve him, revealing his megalomania and monstrous nature. Strahd believes he has no peers and eagerly

When Strahd Attacks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Curse of Strahd

more often he encounters the characters, the better. The characters can and should meet him multiple times before the final encounter, which most likely takes place in the location determined by the

card reading. His combat details are available in appendix D. When Strahd wants to terrorize the characters, he pays them a visit, either under the cloak of night or beneath overcast skies during the

Immersive Storytelling

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

against the player’s better judgment, because “that’s what the character would do.” Since combat isn’t the focus, game rules take a back seat to character development. Ability check modifiers and skill

both the characters and the lords have come to terms with their differing outlooks and agendas. This style of gaming is deep, complex, and challenging. The focus isn’t on combat but on negotiations

Ship-to-Ship Combat

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Astral Adventurer’s Guide

mangonels being the most common. Such weapons are slow to load and fire. Player characters are almost always better off using their own weapons and spells in ship-to-ship combat, reserving shipboard

Ship-to-Ship Combat The following rules are designed to make ship-to-ship combat simple yet exciting. Starting Distance At the start of an engagement, the DM decides how far a ship is from its

D&D Beyond

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