build bodies diffusing combat risk

Shifter

Species Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

fully, but they can enhance their animalistic features temporarily in a process they call “shifting.” Shifters resemble humans in height and build but are typically more lithe and flexible

. Their facial features have a bestial cast, often with large eyes and pointed ears; most shifters also possess prominent canine teeth. They grow fur-like hair on nearly every part of their bodies. While

Neogi Pirate

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

’s place in the hierarchy—and they must defer to those of higher station or risk harsh punishment. Neogi A neogi looks like an outsize spider with an eel’s neck and head. It can

and the Ethereal Plane. They left their home world long ago to conquer and devour creatures in other realms. During this era, they dominated umber hulk;umber hulks and used them to build sleek, spidery ships capable of traversing the multiverse.

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.

Wolfenite

Equipment

Combat Utility Whimsy 11 17 11 Wolfenite is found high in the mountains in cracks and crevices between the granite boulders. For those who are more intrepid and willing to

take the risk, sneaking into a howler den is another way to find a cache of this rare mineral as they are for some reason drawn to this rare mineral.

Nine-Fingers Keene

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

Cunning Action. On each of her turns in combat, Nine-Fingers can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action. Dagger Thrower. Nine-Fingers adds double her proficiency bonus to the

build. Her forgettable looks have proven her greatest asset as a thief, as her victims have trouble recognizing her even when they meet her again face-to-face. Keene’s leadership over the years

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

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

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

Neogi

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

to those of higher station or risk harsh punishment. Neogi A neogi looks like an outsize spider with an eel’s neck and head. It can poison the body and the mind of its targets and can

ago to conquer and devour creatures in other realms. During this era, they dominated umber hulk;umber hulks and used them to build sleek, spidery ships capable of traversing the multiverse.Enslave

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

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

Nightmare Haunt

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

where the Wicked Slumber is prominent. Purple tendrils of wispy nightmares spread like vines across those areas and surround the bodies of those who sleep. Heroes throughout Eldraine have ventured

, Eriette and Ashiok conspire to build a nightmare realm in the ruins of Castle Ardenvale at the heart of the Wicked Slumber, replacing the virtuous court with one composed of sleepwalkers and dreamers

Wastrilith

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

waters of the Abyss and other bodies of water contaminated by that plane’s fell influence, wastriliths establish themselves as lords of the deep and rule their dominions with cruelty. A wastrilith

wastrilith risk their very souls. Those who drink the poisonous liquid might wither away until they finally die, or they remain alive only to become thralls of chaos and evil. To represent this

Assassin Bug

Monsters Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1

infest and overwhelm an unprepared population. Desperate rulers discovering that settlements are at risk often order entire neighborhoods or whole villages burned at the first sign of infestation. Within

pockmarks showing where juvenile assassin bugs have emerged from their bodies. Vile creatures such as hags sometimes cultivate assassin bugs to use their maggots in horrid recipes. And trolls have been

Fighter Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

Fighter As you build your fighter, think about two related elements of your character’s background: Where did you get your combat training, and what set you apart from the mundane warriors

mastery with weapons and armor, and a thorough knowledge of the skills of combat. And they are well acquainted with death, both meting it out and staring it defiantly in the face. Well-Rounded

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

love gazing upon it, but I abhor being wet. 4 Why should I risk damaging my splendid physique when I can fight with the power of my mind? 5 I am predictable only in my unpredictability

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

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

abhor being wet. 4 Why should I risk damaging my splendid physique when I can fight with the power of my mind? 5 I am predictable only in my unpredictability. 6 It takes true

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

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

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

Thorny Vegepygmy

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, instead of a bipedal vegepygmy. Thornies are less intelligent than other vegepygmies, but they are larger and more ferocious and have thorn-covered bodies. Vegepygmies Vegepygmies are fungus creatures

. Among themselves, vegepygmies communicate by hissing, gestures, and tapping. Vegepygmies build and craft little; any gear they have is acquired from other creatures or built by copying simple

Adult Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

amber in color. 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

beautiful and I love gazing upon it, but I abhor being wet. 4 Why should I risk damaging my splendid physique when I can fight with the power of my mind? 5 I am predictable only in my

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

Returned Palamnite

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

Returned palamnites. These Returned led violent lives, existences filled with such pain and hatred that violence now suffuses their deathless bodies. Such makes them exceptionally dangerous to the

they cover with distinctive golden masks. Returned reenter the world blank and undead. No longer possessing the ability to form long-term memories, they generally can’t build meaningful

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