dying instead are better

Blue Slaad

Monsters Monster Manual

every 24 hours and doesn’t return to normal after finishing a Long Rest. If the curse reduces the target’s Hit Point maximum to 0, the curse ends, and instead of dying, the target

Sanctum Amulet

Magic Items Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

. Additionally, you can cast the spare the dying cantrip using either an action or a bonus action. Invoking the Rune. When a creature you can see within 60 feet of you is reduced to 0 hit points as a result of

taking damage, you can use your reaction to invoke the item’s rune, causing the pendant to flash with pale light. The creature then instead drops to 1 hit point. Once the rune has been invoked, it can’t be invoked again until the next dawn.

Grim Champion of Pestilence

Monsters The Book of Many Things

Spellcasting.Aleron was once a tiefling adventurer, but unlike so many victims of the Deck of Many Things, he never drew the Skull card. Instead, when one of his allies drew the card and faced the avatar of death

Undead in the Grim Harrow, considering himself better than all of them and unjustly condemned to the Gardens of Decay for an act of altruism. Though the weakest of the Harrow’s three leaders

Witherbloom Professor of Growth

Monsters Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

professor casts one of the following spells, requiring no material components and using Wisdom as the spellcasting ability: At will: druidcraft, spare the dying 1/day each: greater restoration, lesser

nature through their magic. They brew infusions of plants, fungi, and insects or other minuscule creatures that thrum with the essence of life, using these infusions to fuel their magic instead of using

The Gardener

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

unconscious condition but is stable instead of dying. Breath of Tranquility (Recharge 5–6);{"diceNotation":"1d6", "rollType":"recharge", "rollAction":"Breath of Tranquility"}. The Gardener exhales soporific

carrying, to an unoccupied space they can see within 15 feet. A creature reduced to 0 hit points by the psychic damage has the unconscious condition and is stable instead of dying. Spell Refuge. When

Living Portent

Monsters The Book of Many Things

’ will. These living portents are Aberrations instead of Celestials and are typically chaotic evil. They replace any radiant damage in their stat block with necrotic or psychic damage (DM&rsquo

Whisperer. A purple star whose guidance and minions seem to help for a time but whose influence inevitably leads to disaster. Hadar, the Dark Hunger. A cinder-red dying star that siphons life from its

Trapper

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

with its body, making them look like irregularities in the surface. The creature might instead attach itself to a nearby wall or a ceiling, using the remnants as bait; any creature that stops to

hibernation that can last for months, though it is still aware when prey comes near. A trapper on the verge of starvation might defy its instincts and abandon its old territory in search of better hunting.

Death Kiss

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

nightmare about losing blood. Its coloration and shape resemble those of the beholder that dreamed it into existence, but its hue is more muted, and instead of magical eye rays, it has ten long

death kiss consumes ingested blood, which it also uses to heal and generate electrical energy inside its body. Terrified of dying from starvation, it obsessively drains even little creatures such as rat

Tearulai

Magic Items Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

limbs, with the effect of such loss determined by the GM. If the creature has no limb to sever, you lop off a portion of its body instead. In addition, you can speak the sword’s command word to

, fine art, and poetry. Vain, the weapon strives to improve its appearance. It craves gemstones and seeks out better ones with which to adorn itself. Most of all, it longs to return to the forests around

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.

Leucrotta

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

":"piercing"} piercing damage. If the leucrotta scores a critical hit, it rolls the damage dice three times, instead of twice. Hooves. Melee Weapon Attack: +6;{"diceNotation":"1d20+6","rollType":"to

like doing their own killing, since leucrottas are meticulous in their cruelty and able to draw out kills for better and longer sport. And when there are no victims to be had, a leucrotta can mimic the

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

to be cautious and avoid contact with other creatures that can harm her. Auril’s worshipers know better than to disturb her self-imposed isolation. Terrible blizzards have cut off Icewind Dale

Vecna the Archlich

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

Legendary Resistance (5/Day). If Vecna fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead. Special Equipment. Vecna carries a magic dagger named Afterthought. In the hands of anyone other than

scribe. He spent the better part of his childhood secretly educating himself in his masters’ arts. Once Vecna learned all he could, he massacred the wizards. He then recorded his every foul thought

Alustriel Silverhand

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

Resistance (3/Day). If Alustriel fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead. Special Equipment. Alustriel carries a magic staff known as the Staff of Silverymoon. In the hands of anyone other

Alustriel and her deeds better known than in the Silver Marches and its capital, Silverymoon. Alustriel ruled Silverymoon for centuries, once disguised as a wizard named Elué Dualen and then later

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

weak and vulnerable. In her self-inflicted weakened state, Auril is inclined to be cautious and avoid contact with other creatures that can harm her. Auril’s worshipers know better than to

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

and just as readily appear as people, animals, or other creatures—the more unassuming, the better. Should it reveal its true form, an emissary appears as a roughly bipedal mass of agitated organs

Orcus Legacy

Monsters Out of the Abyss

saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead. Magic Resistance. Orcus has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. Magic Weapons. Orcus’s weapon attacks are magical

tampering with the dead in my search to better understand death.” 61–80 “I want to achieve the everlasting existence of undeath.” 81–00 “I am awash in

Iggwilv the Witch Queen

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

succeed instead. Magic Resistance. Iggwilv has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. (This trait is bestowed by her robe of the archmagi.) Special Equipment. Iggwilv wears

path to greatness began when she was adopted by the mother of all witches, Baba Yaga, who named her Natasha. On the worlds of the Material Plane, she was better known as Tasha, the inventor of Tasha's

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

Keresta Delvingstone

Monsters Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

can choose to succeed instead. Misty Escape. When she drops to 0 hit points outside her resting place, Keresta transforms into a cloud of mist (as in the Shapechanger trait) instead of falling

);{"diceNotation":"1d8+4","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Unarmed Strike","rollDamageType":"bludgeoning"} bludgeoning damage. Instead of dealing damage, Keresta can grapple the target (escape DC 18). Bite

Yan-C-Bin

Monsters Princes of the Apocalypse

can choose to succeed instead. Magic Resistance. Yan-C-Bin has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.Multiattack. Yan-C-Bin makes two slam attacks. Slam. Melee Weapon

feet of him. The target must make a DC 21 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the target drops to 0 hit points and is dying. On a successful save, the target can’t breathe or speak

Zariel

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

’s wall—the dying remains of those who failed to impress the archdevil. The stronghold, covering five square miles, is surrounded by walls reinforced with high turrets. Devils of all kinds

Morkoth

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

can see within 120 feet of it. The spell targets the chosen creature instead of the morkoth. If the spell forced a saving throw, the chosen creature makes its own save. If the spell was an attack, the

fragments that make up the island’s core are also located. Sections of the lair and its center might be kept dry to better protect and preserve collected objects and creatures, but most of the lair

Claugiyliamatar (possessed)

Monsters Divine Contention

Amphibious. Claugiyliamatar can breathe air and water. Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Claugiyliamatar fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Innate Spellcasting. Claugiyliamatar

underground city known as Southkrypt. For centuries, Kryptgarden Forest has been the home and hunting ground of the ancient female green dragon Claugiyliamatar, better known to many as Old Gnawbone. She

Adult Emerald Dragon

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

illusions, allowing them to better conceal their treasures from prying eyes and divinations. Creating an Emerald Dragon Use the Emerald Dragon Personality Traits and Emerald Dragon Ideals tables to

Ancient Emerald Dragon

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

, allowing them to better conceal their treasures from prying eyes and divinations. Creating an Emerald Dragon Use the Emerald Dragon Personality Traits and Emerald Dragon Ideals tables to inspire your

City Watch / Investigator

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

defeat my company suffered or the enemies who dealt it. 5 Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for. 6 I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. d6 Flaw

Half-Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

Flint squinted into the setting sun. He thought he saw the figure of a man striding up the path. Standing, Flint drew back into the shadow of a tall pine to see better. The man’s walk was

-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:

Ki-rin Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

form, major image (6th-level version), wind walk 1/day: create food and water Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the ki-rin fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. Magic Resistance. The ki

(at will): light, mending, sacred flame, spare the dying, thaumaturgy 1st level (4 slots): command, cure wounds, detect evil and good, protection from evil and good, sanctuary 2nd level (3 slots

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

Zariel Legacy

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

to the stronghold’s wall, the dying remains of those who failed to impress the archdevil. The stronghold, covering five square miles, is surrounded by walls reinforced with high turrets. Devils

Zlan

monsters

instead. Magic Resistance. Zlan has Advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. Next of the Seven (6/Year). If Zlan dies within 100 miles of a piece of chardalyn at least 4

Crenshinibon, better known as the Crystal Shard. Zlan Clervish was one of those seven liches, and that lich’s will predominates in the fused entity. All seven bodies are frozen together with ice and

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

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

odds aren’t in their favor. A short retreat might be just the thing to reach a better tactical position, find allies, or to allow the yuan-ti the opportunity to study their opponents and

Firbolg Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

’ presence is marked by an absence of animals and a strange quiet, as if the forest wishes to avoid attracting attention to itself. The faster travelers decide to move on, the better. If these

adopt elven names when they must deal with outsiders, although the concept of names strikes them as strange. They know the animals and plants of the forest without formal names, and instead identify the

Morkoth Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

within 120 feet of it. The spell targets the chosen creature instead of the morkoth. If the spell forced a saving throw, the chosen creature makes its own save. If the spell was an attack, the attack roll

core of the warren, where the pearly matter of the island is also located. Sections of the lair and its center might be kept dry to better protect and preserve collected objects and creatures, but most

D&D Beyond

Search Results