blessings blades diffusing combat roles

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

, particularly the gythka (a two-handed polearm with a blade at each end) and a light thrown weapon called a chatkcha (a flat, triangular wedge with three serrated blades). Gythkas typically have shafts

Duergar Soulblade

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

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 fury in battle with

invisible with it.Soulblades are duergar combatants whose mastery of psionics allows them to manifest blades of psychic energy to slice apart their foes. Duergar Duergar are dwarves of the deep

Night Blade

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

charming and disarming when they wish, but in combat their true, bloodthirsty nature comes to the fore. Bloodletters. All cultists of Bhaal learn to call upon their god’s power to leave their

upon their god’s power to blend into the shadows with ease, or even turn invisible for a crucial moment. Cult Ranks. Low-ranking cultists of Bhaal are called night blade;night blades, whom Bhaal

Setessan Hoplite

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

military unit. In combat, hoplites typically work in groups and use coordinated tactics to win victories. The three Hoplite Unit Names tables present the sorts of titles used by hoplite contingents hailing

Nylea's Arrows 2 The Watchers 3 Fangs of Ophis 4 The Swiftswords 5 Karametra's Wolves 6 Defenders of the Grove 7 Bronze Blades 8 The Jackals

Reaper of Bhaal

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

, carrying out gruesome murders to spread fear and horror. They are charming and disarming when they wish, but in combat their true, bloodthirsty nature comes to the fore. Bloodletters. All cultists of Bhaal

blade;night blades, whom Bhaal blesses with darkvision and superior stealth. Reaper of Bhaal;Reapers are the next rank up. They gain the ability to turn invisible and can use Bhaal's magic to evade

Death's Head of Bhaal

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

. They are charming and disarming when they wish, but in combat their true, bloodthirsty nature comes to the fore. Bloodletters. All cultists of Bhaal learn to call upon their god's power to leave their

power to blend into the shadows with ease, or even turn invisible for a crucial moment. Cult Ranks. Low-ranking cultists of Bhaal are called night blade;night blades, whom Bhaal blesses with

Animated Coffin

Monsters Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary

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

boxes with simple fittings to elaborate, gilded sarcophagi and reverent, fabric-lined caskets. Beyond the City of Doors, animated coffins serve similar—albeit less industrial—roles

Drow Favored Consort

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, including the powerful drow matron mother, takes an attractive drow as consort. Chosen as much for beauty as for magical might, a drow favored consort can hold their own in both conversation and combat

. Combining the roles of advisor, protector, and beloved, some favored consorts are content with a supporting role, while more ambitious consorts aspire to be the power behind the throne—or even to

Hound Archon

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

Mount Celestia, tasked with protecting the innocent and helpless. Loyal defenders, these bipedal warriors wield blades of shining radiance and can assume canine forms, allowing them to

from fiendish incursions and 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

Faerie Pest

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

toddler, except for the black-feathered wings sprouting from the faerie’s shoulders. When engaged in combat, faerie pests wield thought-manipulating magic alongside sharp blades coated in

Half-Orc Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

Gruumsh—lord of war and fury—created the first orcs, and even those orcs who turn away from his worship carry his blessings of might and endurance. The same is true of half-orcs. Some half

-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

Duergar Stone Guard

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

neighbors. To this end, duergar warriors fulfill a variety of combat roles, often marrying their fury in battle with their psionic abilities or training dangerous Underdark creatures as mounts. Denigrated by

Star Spawn Mangler

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

summon these creatures to serve as guards and assassins, two roles at which they excel. Star Spawn The Material Plane represents only one small part of the multiverse. Beyond the best-known planes

communication. When the signs are right, cultists gather together, read aloud their blasphemous texts, and conduct the mind-searing rituals that guide star spawn into the world. Elder Evil Blessings

Pink Candle Wax

Equipment

Combat Utility Whimsy 2 2 0 Wax tinted pink is part of the folk magic tradition associated most closely with the villages of the Gift of Shuritashi. According to such

traditions, minor prayers or blessings are inscribed in the wax. When a candle made from pink wax is lit, it is believed that the magic is released, increasing the likelihood that the prayer will be

Duergar Despot

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

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

Duergar Kavalrachni

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

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

Ember

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 2: Dragonlance Creatures

who serves the Dragon Queen Takhisis. In his service to the Dragon Queen, Ember has taken on many roles at her behest—including that of a black-robed human member of the Mages of High Sorcery

weapon is a molten storm of ash and flame. In combat, Ember wears a set of magic plate armor that bolsters his already-impressive might, allowing him to annihilate entire cohorts with terrifying

Duergar Xarrorn

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

guard against the raids and plots of their neighbors. To this end, duergar warriors fulfill a variety of combat roles, often marrying their fury in battle with their psionic abilities or training

Goblin Psi Commander

Monsters Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

of their psionic abilities, goblin psi commanders wield blades of pure psychic energy. They can throw barriers of mental force while toppling foes with a single, mind-splitting burst. Psionic

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

Duergar Mind Master

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

this end, duergar warriors fulfill a variety of combat roles, often marrying their fury in battle with their psionic abilities or training dangerous Underdark creatures as mounts. Denigrated by some

Duergar Warlord

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

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 fury in

Auril (Second Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

thin cloak of mist forms around her. Blades of ice grow out of her body at odd angles, breaking off before they get too long. When she moves, her body crackles. In this form, Auril creates weapons of

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

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

relieved of their other roles and taken to the lair’s whelping pens, where they are tended to by Luthic’s followers. Orcs don’t take mates, and no pair-bonding occurs in a tribe

Bard Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

versatility. Many bards prefer to stick to the sidelines in combat, using their magic to inspire their allies and hinder their foes from a distance. But bards are capable of defending themselves in melee if

experience earns renown among other bards. Indeed, after telling so many stories about heroes accomplishing mighty deeds, many bards take these themes to heart and assume heroic roles themselves

Using Sidekicks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm Lord’s Wrath

Using Sidekicks Make sure the player understands the roles and limitations of sidekicks in this adventure: Sidekicks are stalwart companions who can perform tasks both in and out of combat, including

Lord of Blades

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Lord of Blades Stalking the Mournland like a spectral juggernaut, the Lord of Blades has emerged from the turmoil of the Last War as a symbol that calls to all the warforged of Khorvaire. Regardless

grudge because of how they were exploited by their creators. Those warforged make up the followers of the Lord of Blades. The Lord of Blades preaches of an apocalyptic future in which the warforged

Using Sidekicks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sleeping Dragon’s Wake

Using Sidekicks Make sure the player understands the roles and limitations of sidekicks in this adventure: Sidekicks are stalwart companions who can perform tasks both in and out of combat, including

Wildspace Battle

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer Academy

: 20 tons Hit Points: 300 Crew: 13 Damage Threshold: 15 Keel/Beam: 250 ft./25 ft. Speed: Fly 30 ft. (3½ mph) Cost: 25,000 gp Using Roles in Combat During each round of combat, a ship has its own turn

and the members of its crew resolve its actions. Actions available to each crew member are dependent upon their assigned roles.

Creature Roles

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Flee, Mortals! Rule Primer

Creature Roles Each creature has a role listed next to their challenge rating. Roles are descriptive and most don’t follow special rules—they simply help you build encounters and use the creature

effectively in combat. Ambusher Ambushers are creatures who hide well—not just before an encounter, but during it. They utilize surprise and stealth to gain the upper hand. Artillery Artillery creatures

Observatories

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things

such as complex telescopes, libraries, mechanical clocks, and magical divinatory aids. An observatory can serve a variety of roles in adventures. Its air of occult mystery makes it an enticing place to

explore, and the kinds of people and monsters attracted to an observatory—sages, eccentrics, and space travelers—make it a great location for roleplaying and combat encounters.

The Mark of Gruumsh

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

The Mark of Gruumsh The one-eyed god Gruumsh—lord of war and fury—created the first orcs, and even those orcs who turn away from his worship carry his blessings of might and endurance. The same is

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

Running for One Player

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon of Icespire Peak

or no longer needed, the character can return to Phandalin and acquire a new one. Using Sidekicks Make sure the player understands the roles and limitations of sidekicks in this adventure: Sidekicks

are stalwart companions who can perform tasks both in and out of combat, including things such as setting up camp and carrying gear. Ideally, a sidekick’s abilities should complement those of the main character. For example, a spellcaster makes a good sidekick for a fighter or rogue.

Divine Intervention

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

on mortal heroes to act like heroes. With those principles in mind, you might have gods intervene in dire situations in one of these ways: Blessings. A god might bestow a Blessing (see “Supernatural

Gifts” in this chapter) to help a character in need. Emissaries. A god might send a Celestial, a Fiend, or some other kind of emissary to aid a character with information, guidance, or combat

The Mark of Gruumsh

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

The Mark of Gruumsh The one-eyed god Gruumsh—lord of war and fury—created the first orcs, and even those orcs who turn away from his worship carry his blessings of might and endurance. The same is

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

Using Sidekicks

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention

Using Sidekicks Make sure the player understands the roles and limitations of sidekicks in this adventure: Sidekicks are stalwart companions who can perform tasks both in and out of combat, including

D&D Beyond

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