defeated instead are blow

Citadel Spider

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the spider fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Spider Climb. The spider can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without

turn.Absorb Blow. In response to being hit with an attack roll, the spider’s carapace absorbs some of the blow, reducing the damage it takes by 11 (2d10);{"diceNotation":"2d10", "rollType":"roll

Fleecemane Lion

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

succeeds and the spell is of 4th level or lower, the spell has no effect on the lion and instead targets the caster.Multiattack. The lion makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claw

these massive lions' connection to Nyx is unclear, many myths tell of the deadly predators stalking mortals and spreading fear until they're ultimately defeated by a brave hunter. As a result, overcoming a fleecemane lion is widely considered an early step on the road to becoming a true hero.

Headless Iron Golem

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

Fire Absorption. Whenever the golem is subjected to fire damage, it takes no damage and instead regains a number of hit points equal to the fire damage dealt. Immutable Form. The golem is immune to

iron golem's shape can be worked into any form, though most are fashioned to look like giant suits of armor. Its fist can destroy creatures with a single blow, and its clanging steps shake the earth

Dolgaunt

Monsters Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Evasion. If the dolgaunt is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, the dolgaunt instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving throw

into intelligent, cold, and efficient killers. When the daelkyr were defeated, the dolgaunts descended into the depths of Khyber with their masters. There, they study in cavernous monasteries, forging

Geryon

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Geryon fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead. Magic Resistance. Geryon has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects

abilities. Members of his cult can gain the Crushing Blow trait. Cult leaders can also gain the Indomitable Strength trait. Crushing Blow (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). As a bonus action, the

Nightmare Haunt

Monsters Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures

must repeat the saving throw. On a failed save, it has the unconscious condition instead of the restrained condition caused by the tendrils. On a successful save, the effect ends on the creature. An

curse. Even with the Phyrexians defeated, the curse remains and spreads unchecked through Eldraine due to interference from the planeswalker Ashiok and Eriette, one of the witches who helped create the

Geryon (Variant)

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Geryon fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead. Magic Resistance. Geryon has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects

abilities. Members of his cult can gain the Crushing Blow trait. Cult leaders can also gain the Indomitable Strength trait. Crushing Blow (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). As a bonus action

Archduke Zariel of Avernus

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

throw, she can choose to succeed instead. Magic Resistance. Zariel has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. Regeneration. Zariel regains 20 hit points at the start of

. Matalotok. Zariel recently defeated the demon lord Kostchtchie and took his hammer, Matalotok, which grants Zariel immunity to cold damage. Without this hammer, Zariel has resistance to cold damage

Chromatic Rose

Magic Items The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

disintegrates, and you take no damage instead. As an action, you can blow the petals from the rose to produce a 20-foot cone of acid, lightning, poisonous gas, fire, or cold, as dictated by the rose

Tromokratis

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

fall unconscious. Instead, the damage creates cracks in its carapace, revealing its hearts. Tromokratis has four hearts: two on its chest, one on its back, and one at the base of its tail. A heart has an

destroyed. Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Tromokratis fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Magic Weapons. Tromokratis’s weapon attacks are magical. Siege Monster. Tromokratis

Greater Star Spawn Emissary

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Legendary Resistance (4/Day). If the emissary fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Unusual Nature. The emissary doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.Multiattack. The

in its lesser form. When this form is destroyed, the emissary’s body collapses into a gory slurry. It then instantly returns in its greater form. Only if the emissary is defeated in its greater

Auril (First Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

weather, detect thoughts, ice storm Legendary Resistance (2/Day in This Form). If Auril fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead. Magic Resistance. Auril has advantage on saving throws

current weakened state, Auril can assume three different forms. To destroy her, heroes must reduce each of her forms to 0 hit points one after another. After she’s defeated in her third and final

Auril (Third Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

to succeed instead. Magic Resistance. Auril has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. Unusual Nature. Auril doesn’t require air, food, drink, or

, heroes must reduce each of her forms to 0 hit points one after another. After she’s defeated in her third and final form, Auril dies. As long as she has mortal followers who worship her, however

Vladimir Horngaard

Monsters Curse of Strahd

","rollDamageType":"bludgeoning"} bludgeoning damage. Instead of dealing damage, Vladimir can grapple the target (escape DC 14) provided the target is Large or smaller. +2 Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack

memory shrouded by his hate. Were Vladimir to let go of his hatred, his spirit would find peace and could remember the warmth of love. Were Strahd to be defeated, even temporarily, the mists surrounding

Lesser Star Spawn Emissary

Monsters Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

disappeared. The greater emissary uses the lesser emissary’s initiative count. Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the emissary fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Unusual

slurry. It then instantly returns in its greater form. Only if the emissary is defeated in its greater form does the star spawn die. After finishing a long rest, a greater star spawn emissary regains

Auril (Second Form)

Monsters Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

. Legendary Resistance (2/Day in This Form). If Auril fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead. Magic Resistance. Auril has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical

her to explode and die. A mephit that dies in this way does not use its Death Burst. Instead, each creature within 10 feet of the exploding mephit must succeed on a DC 21 Dexterity saving throw, taking

Nafas

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

, he can choose to succeed instead. Magic Resistance. Nafas has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. Noble Genie. Nafas doesn’t suffer any of the penalties that

ancient djinni born from the planar winds that blow through the myriad doors of the Infinite Staircase. He’s a timeless force of untold power, a genie made noble by the planes themselves. A cloud

Crook of Rao

Magic Items Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

wizard Tasha). Although she was defeated, Iggwilv managed to damage the crook during the battle, infecting it with an insidious curse—and the potential for future victory. In the aftermath, the

1 balor and 1 pit fiend appear. At the DM’s discretion, a portal opens into the presence of an archdevil or demon lord instead, then closes after 5 minutes. 91–00 Iggwilv’s

Ancient Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Spider Climb. The dragon can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without

discuss how they might reunite and restore Sardior, the Ruby Dragon. 2 A horde of revenant;revenants led by a death knight has one goal—destroying the ancient sapphire dragon who defeated

Horn of Blasting Legacy

Magic Items Basic Rules (2014)

You can use an action to speak the horn's command word and then blow the horn, which emits a thunderous blast in a 30-foot cone that is audible 600 feet away. Each creature in the cone must make a DC

. Creatures and objects made of glass or crystal have disadvantage on the saving throw and take 10d6 thunder damage instead of 5d6. Each use of the horn's magic has a 20 percent chance of causing the horn to explode. The explosion deals 10d6 fire damage to the blower and destroys the horn.

Jim's Magic Missile

Spells Acquisitions Incorporated

a ranged spell attack for each missile. On a hit, a missile deals 2d4 force damage to its target. If the attack roll scores a critical hit, the target of that missile takes 5d4 force damage instead

of you rolling damage twice for a critical hit. If the attack roll for any missile is a 1, all missiles miss their targets and blow up in your face, dealing 1 force damage per missile to you. At

"The Demogorgon"

Monsters Infernal Machine Rebuild

Demogorgon’s heads. Much like the true Demogorgon, the ettin’s two heads constantly clash and refuse to speak directly with one another, instead relaying messages through their assigned

stewards. If the ettin is defeated, examining the pouches around his necks reveals a collection of eyeballs and still-beating dragon hearts. The silver wires connect those living tissues to the ettin

Yuan-ti Malison (Type 3) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

spells and other magical effects. Malison Type. The yuan-ti malison (type 3) has a Human head and upper body with a serpentine lower body instead of legs.Multiattack (Yuan-ti Form Only). The yuan-ti makes

or were defeated by those who fought against their cannibalism and slavery, and the serpent folk were left in the ruins of their great capitals, far removed from other races. Cold of Heart. Humanoid

Lizardfolk Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

; Instead, aggressive, stronger creatures register to the lizardfolk as fearsome beings to be avoided if possible. If such creatures attack, lizardfolk flee, fighting only if cornered. Lizardfolk aren

’t scared of a troll; instead, they understand that a troll is a fearsome, dangerous creature and react accordingly. Lizardfolk never become angry in the way others do, but they act with

Bugbear Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

instead of killing them, he showed mercy and even honored them in a way by setting them free — under his control — so that bugbears could continue to employ their talents against his enemies

heads of defeated foes, cut away or stitch open the eyelids, and leave the mouths hanging open. The heads are then placed on spikes or hung from cords around a bugbear den. The heads themselves are

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

with orcs tells of confronting a hulking foe that can cleave through a warrior with a single blow, part of a force that can cut down enemies as though they were trembling stalks of wheat before the

, injury, or age) often join these cults instead of facing daily humiliation, exile, or death. Serving as the bridge between the two parts of the tribe are the priestesses of Luthic, the orc goddess who

Melee Attacks (p. 195)

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice & Errata

Melee Attacks (p. 195) The third paragraph now reads, “Instead of using a weapon to make a melee weapon attack, you can use an unarmed strike: a punch, kick, head-butt, or similar forceful blow (none

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

many methods for capturing enemies, such as poisoning, knocking out an opponent instead of making a killing blow, throwing nets, using magic such as suggestion, or restraining them in the coils of a

the blood, as it once did. Because their population is so small, the yuan-ti are aware they are vulnerable in open warfare. Instead, their current plans assume they will never rule outwardly in

Horn of Blasting

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

Horn of Blasting Wondrous item, rare You can use an action to speak the horn’s command word and then blow the horn, which emits a thunderous blast in a 30-foot cone that is audible 600 feet away

much damage and isn’t deafened. Creatures and objects made of glass or crystal have disadvantage on the saving throw and take 10d6 thunder damage instead of 5d6. Each use of the horn’s magic has a 20

Horn of Blasting

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

Horn of Blasting Wondrous item, rare You can use an action to speak the horn’s command word and then blow the horn, which emits a thunderous blast in a 30-foot cone that is audible 600 feet away

much damage and isn’t deafened. Creatures and objects made of glass or crystal have disadvantage on the saving throw and take 10d6 thunder damage instead of 5d6. Each use of the horn’s magic has a 20

Scaling Lethality

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

your players agree to avoid character death in your game, you might consider an alternative: a character who would otherwise die is instead “defeated.” The following rules apply to a defeated character

. Conversely, using only low-difficulty encounters is less likely to lead to character death, especially if characters have ample opportunity to rest during the adventure. Defeated, Not Dead If you and

Tale of the Hellriders

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

striking a great blow against the forces of darkness. “The High Rider sent out the riders of Elturel, now numbering many thousands, with Zariel at their head, riding a golden mastodon. With a great cry

, Zariel and her army charged through the gate. The legions of Avernus trembled and buckled, but did not crumble. Zariel was defeated, and the remnants of her army returned to Elturel, overcome with

Jim's Magic Missile

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

damage to its target. If the attack roll scores a critical hit, the target of that missile takes 5d4 force damage instead of you rolling damage twice for a critical hit. If the attack roll for any

missile is a 1, all missiles miss their targets and blow up in your face, dealing 1 force damage per missile to you. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher

Unarmed Strike

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook

Unarmed Strike Instead of using a weapon to make a melee attack, you can use a punch, kick, headbutt, or similar forceful blow. In game terms, this is an Unarmed Strike—a melee attack that involves

Citadel Spider

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin

can choose to succeed instead. Spider Climb. The spider can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check. Web Walker. The spider ignores

spider’s next turn. Reactions Absorb Blow. In response to being hit with an attack roll, the spider’s carapace absorbs some of the blow, reducing the damage it takes by 11 (2d10). Helge C. balzer

D&D Beyond

Search Results