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Dhergoloth

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, dhergoloths rush into battle like whirlwinds of destruction, lashing out with the five sets of claws that extend from their squat, barrel-shaped bodies. They take contracts to put down uprisings, clear out

brutes, employers must use caution when instructing them. They can handle simple orders that don’t take a lot of time to resolve. When given anything complex to do, however, they either forget what

Way of the Open Hand Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

Monks of the Way of the Open Hand are the ultimate masters of martial arts combat, whether armed or unarmed. They learn techniques to push and trip their opponents, manipulate ki to heal damage to their bodies, and practice advanced meditation that can protect them from harm.

Akroan Hoplite

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

called stratians, number among the fiercest soldiers on Theros. They train relentlessly and possess unflinching resolve. In the annals of Akros, tales abound of squads of stratians that defended a

glorification of the warrior's spirit, the basis of an ethos that forges an unbreakable bond between members of a military unit. In combat, hoplites typically work in groups and use coordinated tactics to

Gavel of the Venn Rune

Magic Items Storm King's Thunder

used as part of rituals to resolve disputes. The gavel has the following properties. Arbiter’s Shield. At the start of every combat, attack rolls against you have disadvantage before the start of

Sleeping Merchant

Equipment

Combat Utility Whimsy 13 13 13 Known for its naturally soporific effects, the sleeping merchant got its name through its use by traveling traders who traditionally drink its

ponds and lakes which has made attempts to grow sleeping merchant plants in other bodies of water impossible. Thus, the demand for this plant is high among the tea vendors of Obojima.

Dragon Chosen

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

chosen takes damage from a creature within 5 feet of it, it can make a Shortsword attack with advantage against that creature.Dragon chosen are mighty warriors who offer their bodies as vessels for a

skilled in close combat, using two weapons to tear at their foes. Dragon Followers Dragons boast many minions, students, employees, acolytes, and thralls. Dragon followers are those servitors whose

Goblin Psi Brawler

Monsters Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

often struggle to handle the turbulent psychic energy within their minds and bodies. Those psionic goblins who learn how to safely tap into this psychic power are formidable forces in combat. Psionic

Nonaton Modron

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

Axiomatic Mind. The nonaton can’t be compelled to act in a manner contrary to its nature or its instructions. Combat Ready. The nonaton has advantage on initiative rolls. Disintegration. If

have wormlike bodies studded with nine mechanical arms. Modrons Constructed on the plane of Mechanus, modrons are partially mechanical beings that belong to a strict hierarchy. Each modron

Decaton Modron

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

Axiomatic Mind. The decaton can’t be compelled to act in a manner contrary to its nature or its instructions. Combat Ready. The decaton has advantage on initiative rolls. Disintegration. If

only), protection from evil and goodThe least of the hierarchs, decatons monitor the physical well-being of base modrons. Two stubby legs support their spherical bodies, and ten mechanical tentacles

Carrionette

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

False Object. If the carrionette is motionless at the start of combat, it has advantage on its initiative roll. Moreover, if a creature hasn’t observed the carrionette move or act, that

carrionette and the target die. A protection from evil and good spell cast on the controlled body drives the carrionette out and returns the consciousness of both creatures to their original bodies

Half-Orc Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

-orcs hear the whispers of Gruumsh in their dreams, calling them to unleash the rage that simmers within them. Others feel Gruumsh’s exultation when they join in melee combat — and either

exult along with him or shiver with fear and loathing. Beyond the rage of Gruumsh, half-orcs feel emotion powerfully. Rage doesn’t just quicken their pulse, it makes their bodies burn. An insult

Monk Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

. Whatever their discipline, monks are united in their ability to magically harness the energy that flows in their bodies. Whether channeled as a striking display of combat prowess or a subtler focus of

the magic that suffuses the multiverse—specifically, the element that flows through living bodies. Monks harness this power within themselves to create magical effects and exceed their bodies

Thri-kreen Gladiator

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

attack that would hit it. To do so, the thri-kreen must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.Thri-kreen gladiators relish opportunities to test their mettle in combat and often paint their

carapaces with the blood of their enemies. Thri-kreen Thri-kreen are carnivores with insectile features and two pairs of arms. Because their bodies are encased in protective chitin, they tend to

Draconian Mastermind

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

, masterminds have a breath weapon—a billowing cloud of poisonous gas. They also have formidable claws and teeth they use to rend foes in close combat. Dying draconian masterminds are a sight to behold

of draconians have wings. When draconians die, they do not go quietly. Instead, their lifeless bodies unleash a last act of magical violence.

Venom Troll

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

tissue, and poison leaks from the pores to coat the troll’s fangs and claws. These creatures are especially dangerous in close combat because poison drips off their flesh and sprays out from every

vast scale, or if their bodies were damaged by elemental forces. These unusual forms can also be produced and shaped by the ritual magic of evil spellcasters or by trolls’ own practices, as is the

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

of arms magically orbit the bodies of the titanic, nearly forgotten artisans known as hundred-handed ones. These giants often dwell in remote mountains and seaside cliffs, where they carve their

Astral Elf Honor Guard

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

important individuals and locations is entrusted to astral elf honor guards, highly trained warriors who are more than capable of holding their own in combat. Astral Elves Long ago, some elves ventured

moths (see the Astral Adventurer’s Guide) and other vessels. The elves also reshape the petrified bodies of dead gods found adrift in the Silver Void, transforming them into floating cities and

Duergar Despot

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

will: mage hand, minor illusion 1/day: stinking cloudDuergar despots replace parts of their bodies with mechanical devices that they control through their psionic abilities. Duergar Duergar are

many who dwell in the Underdark, duergar must constantly be on guard against the raids and plots of their neighbors. To this end, duergar warriors fulfill a variety of combat roles, often marrying their

Gray Render

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

protect that creature. Great strength and a ferocious nature make gray renders fierce guardians, but they lack a shred of cunning. Gray renders reproduce by forming nodules on their bodies that, on

it forms a bond, a gray render serves its master devotedly. A gray render might be a strong ally, but it’s always an unpredictable one. In combat, a gray render fights viciously and never

Slithering Tracker

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

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

half.The quest for revenge sometimes leads those terribly aggrieved to undergo a ritual whereby they transform into bodies of semiliquid sentience known as slithering trackers. Innocuous and insidious at

Goblin Psi Commander

Monsters Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

goblins often struggle to handle the turbulent psychic energy within their minds and bodies. Those psionic goblins who learn how to safely tap into this psychic power are formidable forces in combat

Warden Archon

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

portals and paths connected to goodly realms. They have powerfully built, bipedal bodies with the heads of great bears and eyes like pools of silvery light. When warden archons speak, glimmering

safeguard those threatened by wicked forces. Archons are skilled communicators, able to speak all the languages of the multiverse. When pushed into combat, they prefer to subdue foes. However, against Fiends

Fisher

Backgrounds Ghosts of Saltmarsh

Wrestling. You fought in hand-to-hand combat with an immense lobster. 2 It Dragged the Boat. You nearly caught a fish of monstrous size that pulled your boat for miles. 3 Fins of Pure Gold

to the bodies of water in which they fish, and they think poorly of those whose actions adversely affect their livelihood. D8 PERSONALITY TRAIT 1 I am unmoved by the wrath of

Topaz Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

. Their bodies are wider at the haunches, tapering in a wedge shape toward the head, and their wings are shaped to propel them through both air and water. A topaz dragon’s psionic power manifests

ocean. (Good) 6 Code of Combat. I despise most other dragons, but I meet them face to face without resorting to the base trickery I use on lesser creatures. (Lawful) Topaz Dragon

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

body, thought, and emotion. Freed from the limitations of their human bodies, the yuan-ti used their new abilities to conquer new lands and expand their borders. One Race, Many Forms The bodies of all

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

Young Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

-orange and have a cloudy or filmy look. As they age, their scales harden and clarify, becoming translucent and faceted, and ranging from bright yellow to rich amber in color. Their bodies are wider at the

Combat. I despise most other dragons, but I meet them face to face without resorting to the base trickery I use on lesser creatures. (Lawful) Topaz Dragon Adventures The Topaz Dragon

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

scythe. Only a skilled and determined hero can hope to survive single combat with an orc. Savage and fearless, orc tribes are ever in search of elves, dwarves, and humans to destroy. Motivated by their

while learning to fight, to survive in the wild, and to fear the gods. The children that can’t endure the rigors of a life of combat are culled from the main body of the tribe, taken into the

Aurnozci

Monsters The Book of Many Things

in consumption. Periodically, the Eye of Aurnozci communes with their horrifying master or leads a ceremony of propitiation in the Firehive. In combat, Aurnozci screeches horribly and attacks any

oppressively muggy realm known for the following regional effects: Boiling Water. Bodies of water on Xulregg perpetually boil, and even bottled liquids steam when exposed to the layer’s

Attack Rolls

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

Attack Rolls In combat, an attack roll is used to determine whether an attack hits. You can also use attack rolls to resolve noncombat activities that are similar to attacks in combat, such as an

Running Social Interaction

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

Running Social Interaction During a social interaction, the adventurers usually have a goal. They want to extract information, secure aid, win someone’s trust, escape punishment, avoid combat

rarely come into play. Other DMs resolve interactions by having characters make Charisma checks. Most games fall somewhere in between, balancing roleplaying with the occasional ability check.

Social Interaction

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

Social Interaction During a social interaction, the adventurers usually have a goal. They want to extract information, secure aid, win someone’s trust, escape punishment, avoid combat, negotiate a

roleplaying exercise, where dice rarely come into play. Other DMs prefer to resolve the outcome of an interaction by having characters make Charisma checks. Either approach works, and most games fall

Encounters

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

characters don’t need to take turns, but you need to give each player a chance to tell you what their character is doing so you can decide how to resolve everyone’s actions. In combat, everyone takes

chapter 2 offers advice on combat. Spellcasting. If a character casts a spell, you can usually let the player tell you what the spell does and how to resolve it. If questions arise, read the text of

Encounters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules

bookshelf. Outside combat, the characters don’t need to take turns, but you need to give each player a chance to tell you what their character is doing so you can decide how to resolve everyone’s

actions. In combat, everyone takes turns in Initiative order. Step 3: Describe What Happens After the players describe their characters’ actions, it’s the DM’s job to resolve those actions, guided by the

Crew in Combat

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh

Casualties Slaying a ship’s crew reduces the number of actions most ships can take, making the crew a tempting target in combat. Resolve individual attacks as normal, using the guidelines for

Crew in Combat Managing a ship’s entire crew in combat can prove cumbersome, especially as larger ships often host dozens of sailors. Typically the crew is too busy managing the ship to do anything

Large Groups

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

Large Groups The biggest considerations with large groups are maintaining order at the table and keeping combat from becoming too slow. Structured Turns If you find yourself in a situation where

individual players are having trouble getting a chance to do things during exploration or social interaction, have the characters roll Initiative and act in Initiative order, just as you do in combat

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