monsters spring with only advanced from for lower

Orc

Species Player’s Handbook

, and churning seas and to face the monsters that lurk there. Even when they turn their devotion to other gods, orcs retain Gruumsh’s gifts: endurance, determination, and the ability to see in

darkness. Orcs are, on average, tall and broad. They have gray skin, ears that are sharply pointed, and prominent lower canines that resemble small tusks. Orc youths on some worlds are told about their

Deck of Many Things

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

one of your ability scores by 2. You can’t decrease an ability that has a score of 5 or lower. Alternatively, you can choose not to adjust your ability scores, in which case this card has no

your choice of History, Insight, Intimidation, or Persuasion. In addition, you gain rightful ownership of a small keep somewhere in the world. However, the keep is currently home to one or more monsters

Vegepygmy Scavenger

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

evade foes and pelt them with slings from the cover of leafy foliage. Vegepygmies Also called mold folk, vegepygmies are fungal creatures that spring forth from the body of a Humanoid or Giant

indefinitely so long as the climate remains hospitable to their fungal bodies. To learn more about vegepygmies, see Monsters of the Multiverse.Lightning, PiercingNimble Escape. The vegepygmy takes the Disengage or Hide action.

Vegepygmy Thorny Hunter

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

their master’s orders to hunt prey with deadly ferocity. Vegepygmies Also called mold folk, vegepygmies are fungal creatures that spring forth from the body of a Humanoid or Giant killed by

long as the climate remains hospitable to their fungal bodies. To learn more about vegepygmies, see Monsters of the Multiverse.Lightning, Piercing

Kalain

Monsters Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

paintings and causes its subject to spring forth, becoming a creature of that kind provided its CR is 3 or lower. The creature appears in an unoccupied space within 5 feet of the painting, which becomes

Crag Cat

Monsters Storm King's Thunder

level or lower, the spell has no effect on the cat and instead targets the caster.Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5;{"diceNotation":"1d20+5","rollType":"to hit","rollAction":"Bite"} to hit, reach 5 ft., one

prey is asleep, exhausted, or otherwise weakened. Although crag cats are typically encountered singly, they can be found in family groups of two parents and 1d4;{"diceNotation":"1d4","rollType":"roll"} Small noncombatant cubs in the spring, or in hungry packs in severe winter weather.

Vegepygmy Moldmaker

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

of lichen to denote their status. Vegepygmies Also called mold folk, vegepygmies are fungal creatures that spring forth from the body of a Humanoid or Giant killed by russet mold, a poisonous

hospitable to their fungal bodies. To learn more about vegepygmies, see Monsters of the Multiverse.Lightning, Piercing

Blazebear

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

, reach 10 ft., one creature casting a spell of 3rd level or lower. Hit: 22 (4d10);{"diceNotation":"4d10", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Antimagic Swipe", "rollDamageType":"force"} force damage

;terrifying!” —Clank, Warforged Merchant from Sharn On the world of Eberron, many strange, magic-warped monsters have emerged from the depths of the war-wracked Mournland. The blazebear is

Gold-Forged Sentinel

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

sentinel has advantage on saving throws against any spell that targets only the sentinel (not an area). If the sentinel’s saving throw succeeds and the spell is of 4th level or lower, the spell has

creations are now heirlooms of monarchs; others are lost to the sands of time or are guarded by ancient monsters. Constructed Nature. An anvilwrought doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.Fire, Poison

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

calculated poise, and its deadly strike. Their advanced philosophy taught the virtue of detachment from emotion and of clear, focused thought. Yuan-ti culture was among the richest in the mortal

Daemogoth Titan

Monsters Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

necromancy or enchantment school that is 8th level or lower. The bound creature can cast that spell using this pact, requiring no material components and using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability. When it

the titan doesn’t heal.Daemogoth titans are towering monsters that blight the land around them. A daemogoth grows in power over the course of decades spent feeding on sorrow and draining life from

Kolyarut

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

hits a creature with an Unerring Blade attack during this movement, each spell of 5th level or lower on the creature ends, and the creature has the incapacitated condition until the end of the kolyarut

: Monsters of the Multiverse) and punished in brutally decisive fashion. In cases where the terms of a contract or a foundational truth of an agreement come into question, the Kolyarut sends a component part

Halaster Blackcloak

Monsters Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

restrictions (see “Alterations to Magic”). Arcane Recovery (1/Day). When he finishes a short rest, Halaster recovers all his spell slots of 5th level and lower. Legendary Resistance (3

legendary actions at the start of his turn. Cast Spell. Halaster casts a spell of 3rd level or lower. Spell Ward (Costs 2 Actions). Halaster expends a spell slot of 4th level or lower and gains 5

Factol Skall

Monsters Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary

Counterspell. Skall chatters his teeth to interrupt a creature he can see within 60 feet of himself that is casting a spell. If the spell is 4th level or lower, it fails and has no effect. If the spell

: The Mortuary). After eons of existence, Skall is in an advanced state of deterioration. Once a spry lich with a wrinkled frame, he now drifts listlessly through the Mortuary’s forlorn halls

Dhampir

Species Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

. Their reasons are often deeply personal. Some seek danger, imagining monsters as personifications of their own hungers. Others pursue revenge against whatever turned them into a dhampir. And still

joined and advanced through their lesser ranks, known as the Kargatane, and were rewarded by being transformed into a dhampir. I’Cath. At night, the starving city of I’Cath is overrun by

Theran Chimera

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

"} fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.The term chimera applies to a wide variety of disparate monsters that combine the features of multiple beasts. While many

Sailor - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

Baldur’s Gate was founded by sailors, and its harbor is still the city’s beating heart. Several patriars are descended from captains of yore, the commerce of the Lower City is built on

, characters with this background are common. You sailed on a seagoing vessel for years. In that time, you faced down mighty storms, monsters of the deep, and those who wanted to sink your craft to

Goblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

cruel in victory, goblins are fawning and servile in defeat, just as in their own society lower castes must scrape before those of greater status and as goblin tribes bow before other goblinoids

out while still getting decent performance out of the slaves. But humanoids and monsters that are especially capable or that provide unusual services find themselves treated like favored (though

Folk Hero - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

their champion, and your destiny calls you to stand against the tyrants and monsters that threaten the common folk everywhere. Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Survival Tool

: SOCIAL VENGEANCE You’ve lived your entire life in the Lower or Outer City of Baldur’s Gate. You grew up seeing arrogant patriars flaunt their wealth while your hardworking neighbors

Druid Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

aberrations (such as beholders and mind flayers) and undead (such as zombies and vampires). Druids sometimes lead raids against such creatures, especially when the monsters encroach on the druids&rsquo

becoming a druid was part of your character’s destiny. Have you always been an adventurer as part of your druidic calling, or did you first spend time as a caretaker of a sacred grove or spring

More Monastery

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Laboratory of Kwalish

focuses on only a cursory exploration of a similarly crashed planar craft, but you can easily expand the adventure by allowing characters to discover portals in the monastery that lead to lower levels of

into the lower decks. Another entrance might be concealed within one of the immured ones’ cells at area M6. Opening the cell could reveal the entrance standing open, with the prisoner gone and

Chapter 4: The Ruined Colossus

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

monsters roam the blasted landscape. The characters must navigate this wasteland in search of the rod piece, ultimately discovering that the piece is located inside the remains of an enormous, highly advanced, bipedal war machine called a colossus.

Vegepygmies

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Quests from the Infinite Staircase

Vegepygmies Irina Nordsol A spaceship door opens to reveal a Vegepygmy surprise Also called mold folk, vegepygmies are fungal creatures that spring forth from the body of a Humanoid or Giant killed

so long as the climate remains hospitable to their fungal bodies. To learn more about vegepygmies, see Monsters of the Multiverse.

Ancient Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

spring sky to the rich, crystalline azure of sapphire gems and compressed glacial ice. In the light, the scales glitter and shine like luminous starbursts. The dragons’ psionic nature is evident

tunnels that eventually lead to the Underdark. Hoard Caverns. The bulk of the lair, filling most of the lower half of the map, comprises chambers the dragon uses to host guests and visitors. These

Deck of Several Things

Magic Items Lost Laboratory of Kwalish

defeat the next hostile monster or group of monsters you encounter, you have advantage on ability checks made using one skill of your choice for the duration of the adventure. Otherwise, this card has no

to cast any spell of 5th level or lower, and can use that ability 1d3 times for the duration of the adventure. Rogue. An NPC of the DM’s choice becomes secretly hostile toward you. The

Tracking Position at Long Range

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

the monsters advance toward the characters, decrease their numbers. Adjust the Grid Scale. If you’re using a battle grid, take a section of that grid and use it to track position, changing the scale so

encounter begins at a range between 100 and 1,000 feet), or use one or more d20s to show how many 5-foot or 10-foot squares the creature has advanced.

Gothic Horror Monsters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Gothic Horror Monsters Creatures imbued with tragedy or abominable origins work well in gothic horror adventures. Often, lower-level monsters embody aspects of a more powerful villain’s evil, powers

, or background. For example, swarms of bats suggest a vampire’s connection to the creatures of the night, while werewolves speak toward a vampire’s bloodthirsty nature. Gothic Horror Monsters

Adventure Synopsis

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a2

come to the Stone Tooth in search of a reputed cache of Durgeddin’s superior blades and find the stronghold inhabited by dangerous monsters. The complex consists of the following five sections: The

largest level of Khundrukar, the Glitterhame is an expanse of beautiful natural caverns now infested by troglodytes and other cave-dwelling monsters. The Sinkhole. Streams in the Glitterhame descend to

Creating a Combat Encounter

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

2,400 4,900 7,300 10,900 20th 2,800 5,700 8,500 12,700 CHALLENGE RATING When putting together an encounter or adventure, especially at lower levels, exercise caution when using monsters whose

of 2, but it can kill a 1st-level wizard with a single blow. In addition, some monsters have features that might be difficult or impossible for lower-level characters to overcome. For example, a

Monstrous Origins

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Monstrous Origins A variety of explanations, from transformative curses to magical experiments, can justify the appearance of a unique individual with unusual traits. In the same way, monsters in

nature of all yuan-ti in the setting. Monsters can be one-off flukes of nature or the products of insidious magic. For significant adversaries, use the tables in the “Genres of Horror” section of chapter

Challenge

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver

. Monsters that are significantly weaker than 1st-level characters have challenge ratings lower than 1. Experience Points (XP) The number of experience points a creature is worth is based on its Challenge. Typically, XP is awarded for defeating the monster.

Low-Level Followers

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

monsters that are an appropriate challenge for higher-level characters can deal enough damage to instantly kill or incapacitate a low-level follower. The adventurers should expect to spend effort and resources protecting lower-level NPC party members and to provide healing when this protection fails.

Low-Level Followers Your campaign might allow player characters to take on lower-level NPCs as followers. For example, a paladin might have a 1st-level paladin as a squire, a wizard might accept a

Random Traps

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

–07 Collapsing staircase creates a ramp that deposits characters into a pit at its lower end 08–10 Ceiling block falls, or entire ceiling collapses 11–12 Ceiling lowers slowly in locked room 13–14

Chute opens in floor 15–16 Clanging noise attracts nearby monsters 17–19 Touching an object triggers a disintegrate spell 20–23 Door or other object is coated with contact poison 24–27 Fire shoots out

21. Servants' Quarters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

, the nursemaid of Regan and Vastion Halvhrest. A devotee of the god Ezra, Agatha decorated her room with a plaque of her god’s symbol, a shield crossed with a spring of belladonna. This displays the

conspicuous bag on the floor. This is a bag of holding. A superstitious character of your choice might consider this scene evidence of the Bagman (detailed in “Horror Monsters” in chapter 5). Victro’s

15: Metallurgy Lab

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

remain there Alien minerals and samples of rare ores line the shelves of this metallurgist’s laboratory. An advanced detention drone (use the shield guardian stat block) stands in the room’s

brains in the brain room,” Bimbi burbles. “But I knocked over some jars there, and the brains came to life!” If the characters agree to clear the “brain monsters” out of area 21, the flumph gives them its key card.

D&D Beyond

Search Results