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Returning 35 results for 'defenses instead are best'.
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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
.
3
I secretly look forward to adventurers trying to infiltrate my lair. How else could I try out new defenses?
4
Give me a storied helmet or scimitar over a pile of gold any day.
5
No
Monsters
Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica
choose to succeed instead.
Shapechanger Savant. Lazav can use a bonus action to polymorph into a Small or Medium humanoid he has seen. His statistics, other than his size, are the same in each form. Any
equipment he is wearing or carrying isn't transformed.
Psychic Defenses. Unless Lazav is incapacitated, he is immune to magic that allows other creatures to read his thoughts, determine whether he is
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
Devil’s Sight. Magical darkness doesn’t impede Zariel’s darkvision.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Zariel fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead.
Magic
collecting souls from the greatest warriors on the Material Plane. She bargains hard, and there is little hope of wriggling out of a pact. However, she expects the best from her servants, so she
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
. If the golem is left without instructions or is incapacitated, it continues to follow its last orders to the best of its ability. When it can't fulfill its orders, a golem might react violently — or
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
a critical hit against a target in an astral body (as with the astral projection spell), the githyanki can cut the silvery cord that tethers the target to its material body, instead of dealing damage
, gaunt folk have potent psionic powers and dwell, for the most part, on the Astral Plane. Among the best-known githyanki are the bellicose followers of the Lich Queen Vlaakith. They terrorize the Astral
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
adventurers trying to infiltrate my lair. How else could I try out new defenses?
4
Give me a storied helmet or scimitar over a pile of gold any day.
5
No creature can outsmart my defenses—if
Monsters
The Book of Many Things
Resistance (3/Day). If the corrupter fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Spider Climb. The corrupter can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without
Lair
This villain resides in a place of power and safety, whether that’s a hidden thieves’ guildhall or a lavish manse. The lair is filled with clever defenses to disorient, weaken, and
Monsters
The Book of Many Things
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the infiltrator fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Veiled Presence. The infiltrator’s AC includes its Wisdom modifier, and the infiltrator
’s a hidden thieves’ guildhall or a lavish manse. The lair is filled with clever defenses to disorient, weaken, and kill intruders.
The villain’s challenge rating increases while the
Monsters
Curse of Strahd
damage.Animated objects are crafted with potent magic to follow the commands of their creators. When not commanded, they follow the last order they received to the best of their ability, and can act independently
perverted its magic, using it instead to animate her wooden hut.
Removing the gem from the hut renders the hut incapacitated. That task is easier said than done, however. The glowing green gem is
Monsters
Monstrous Compendium Vol. 2: Dragonlance Creatures
.
Legendary Resistance (5/Day). If Ember fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.
Special Equipment. In battle, Ember dons magical plate armor custom-forged for his use. While wearing the armor
—but he is best known as the adviser of Dragon Highlord Verminaard, leader of the Red Dragon Army.
Empowered by Takhisis herself, Ember’s innate fire can sear those nearby, and his breath
Monsters
Vecna: Eve of Ruin
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Strahd fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.
Master of the House. When Strahd is reduced to 0 hit points, he dissolves into mist and immediately
condition (escape DC 18) instead. Strahd can grapple only one creature at a time.
Blighted Fire (Recharge 5–6);{"diceNotation":"1d6", "rollType":"recharge", "rollAction":"Blighted Fire"}. Strahd
Backgrounds
Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus
Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every
knighthood is among the lowest noble titles in most societies, but it can be a path to higher status. If you wish to be a knight, choose the Retainers feature (see the sidebar) instead of the
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Demogorgon fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.
Magic Resistance. Demogorgon has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical
by a skull-shaped minaret. There, Demogorgon’s heads contemplate the mysteries of the arcane while arguing about how best to obliterate their rivals. The bulk of this palace extends deep
Monsters
Curse of Strahd
thought it was an accident. In the days that followed, Pidlwick II tried its best to fill its namesake's shoes, but the effigy's mere presence was upsetting to Tatyana, and it was never called on to perform
, instead assuming that the guests had died in their sleep.
But Strahd was not fooled. He came to realize fairly quickly that the clockwork effigy had begun to display a murderous nature. Rather than have
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
instead resets to 350 hit points, and it recharges its Steam Breath. Additionally, the dragon turtle can now use the options in the "Mythic Actions" section for 1 hour. Award a party an additional
instead.
Unusual Nature. The dragon turtle doesn't require food or drink.Multiattack. The dragon turtle makes one Bite or Tail attack and two Claw attacks.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +16
Demogorgon
Legacy
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Monsters
Out of the Abyss
magic, major image
3/day each: dispel magic, fear, telekinesis
1/day each: feeblemind, project image
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Demogorgon fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead
form of two serpentine towers, each crowned by a skull-shaped minaret. There, Demogorgon’s heads contemplate the mysteries of the arcane while arguing about how best to obliterate their rivals. The
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
1
A young deep dragon has captured a number of kuo-toa and has decided to try them out as servants instead of eating them.
2
A young deep dragon maintains the guise of a handsome Humanoid
deep dragon refuses to leave the cave where the dragon’s best friend—an adventurer who won the dragon’s respect and affection—lingers as a ghost.
Poison, Psychic
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
Psychic Mirror. If the hulk takes psychic damage, each creature within 10 feet of the hulk takes that damage instead; the hulk takes none of the damage. In addition, the hulk’s thoughts and
seer nearby. A hulk appears to have little will of its own and is driven to protect its master.
Star Spawn
The Material Plane represents only one small part of the multiverse. Beyond the best
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Shift Perception (1/Day). The dragon can cast hallucinatory terrain, requiring no spell components
in the retelling of stories. Each new teller adds a bit of themself to the spell. (Any)
4
Nurture. Rearing a child is our best chance to make sure our own stories are passed on. (Any)
5
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Tunneler. The dragon can burrow through solid rock at half its burrowing speed and can leave a 20
retelling of stories. Each new teller adds a bit of themself to the spell. (Any)
4
Nurture. Rearing a child is our best chance to make sure our own stories are passed on. (Any)
5
Inquisitiveness
Monsters
Mythic Odysseys of Theros
level or lower, the spell has no effect on the chimera and instead targets the caster.Multiattack. The chimera makes three attacks: one with its claws, one with its head, and one with its tail. When its
couldn’t best.
Chimeras typically roam the deep wilds of the world, constantly seeking a lair that would perfectly suit one of its heads, but then finding it unsatisfying to two-thirds of its
Monsters
Eberron: Rising from the Last War
choose to succeed instead.
Magic Resistance. Belashyrra has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Regeneration. Belashyrra regains 20 hit points at the start of its turn
minute or until the target takes damage. Belashyrra can issue telepathic commands to the charmed creature (no action required), which it does its best to obey.
3. Mind-Weakening Ray. The target must
Backgrounds
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
You have served the community where you grew up, standing as its first line of defense against crime. You aren’t a soldier, directing your gaze outward at possible enemies. Instead, your
hell hound without flinching.
6
I enjoy being strong and like breaking things.
7
I have a crude sense of humor.
8
I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to
through that day and are your best asset.
You gain the following benefits.
Instinct to Survive. When you take damage that would reduce you to 0 hit points, you can immediately regain hit points
equal to your level. When you use this benefit, you cannot use it again until you finish a long rest.
Superior Speed. You gain a +10 bonus to speed.
Wriggle Free. If you would gain the Grappled condition, roll a d20. On a 10 or higher, you instead do not gain it.
Zariel
Legacy
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Monsters
Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes
, 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 her
of all kinds crawl over the structure, ensuring that no intruders breach their defenses.
Lair Actions. On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Zariel can take a lair action to cause one of
Noble
Legacy
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Backgrounds
Basic Rules (2014)
Privelege
Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every
) instead of the Position of Privilege feature. One of your commoner retainers is replaced by a noble who serves as your squire, aiding you in exchange for training on his or her own path to knighthood
races
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
have lived on the worlds of the Material Plane since the worlds’ creation. Gifted by the gods with remarkable physical defenses and a mystical connection to the natural world, lizardfolk can
character’s height or weight randomly, consult the Random Height and Weight table in the Player’s Handbook, and choose the row in the table that best represents the build you imagine for your character.
Half-Elf
Legacy
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Species
Basic Rules (2014)
, Dragons of Autumn Twilight
Walking in two worlds but truly belonging to neither, half-elves combine what some say are the best qualities of their elf and human parents: human curiosity
-Elf Variants
Some half-elves in Faerûn have a racial trait in place of the Skill Versatility trait. If your DM allows it, your half-elf character can forgo Skill Versatility and instead take the elf trait Keen Senses or a trait based on your elf parentage:
Monsters
Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1
giant’s desires. Instead, they seek out grand works of art, wondrous jewelry, and beautiful sculptures.
Reasonable Offers. Fog giants are powerful warriors, but they prefer to use threats and
work with ambitious humans, renegade elves, and greedy dwarves—all folk they see as properly civilized. They treat orcs, goblinoids, and other “barbarian” types as pesky vermin, best
Lizardfolk
Legacy
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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
backgrounds
best of who you are and where you are from. Flashes of déjà vu are common, taunting you with recollection, but they almost always slip away, as ungraspable as the mists of Druskenvald. An
past that you are missing. Instead, you can pick one of those proficiencies or the languages during play at any time. The knowledge might return in a spontaneous flash, even as you make a roll that
races
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
Yuan-ti were originally humans who transformed themselves into serpent folk through ancient rituals. Most yuan-ti were corrupted into monsters by those rites, but some yuan-ti instead became a new
’d like to determine your character’s height or weight randomly, consult the Random Height and Weight table in the Player’s Handbook, and choose the row in the table that best represents the build you imagine for your character.
classes
Basic Rules (2014)
exquisite bow. The half-orc nearby shouts orders, helping the two combatants coordinate their assault to the best advantage.
A dwarf in chain mail interposes his shield between the ogre’s club
and his companion, knocking the deadly blow aside. His companion, a half-elf in scale armor, swings two scimitars in a blinding whirl as she circles the ogre, looking for a blind spot in its defenses
Goblin
Legacy
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
traps, snares, and nets to catch the unwary, and when their hunting patrols encounter other beings, they always look for ways to capture their foes instead of killing them. Goblins that run up against
the fringes of a society first test its defenses by stealing objects, and if these crimes go unpunished, they begin stealing people.
Enslaved creatures receive the worst treatment the goblins can dish
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
against itself (real or imaginary), planning attacks against known rivals, and preparing its defenses against all possible threats. It considers itself the center of the world, in a narcissistic way
might be merciful and pacify the creature with a charm ray or a sleep ray instead of killing it outright. Of course, this mercy has a purpose; the defeated opponent is interrogated, subjugated, and