Questions tagged [monsters]
This tag covers questions relating to either monstrous antagonists specifically, or all enemies of the player characters generally; which usage is correct varies depending on the traditions of specific games. Use as appropriate for the game in question.
457
questions
33
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6answers
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Is a dead creature's body considered an “object”?
I never really gave this much thought until this question brought it up: Is a dead creature's body considered to be an object? And is it still a creature?
My initial reaction was that it would not ...
19
votes
3answers
2k views
What all is included in a creature's game statistics?
Many features and rules refer to a creature's "game statistics".
For example, True Polymorph says:
The target's game statistics, including mental ability scores, are replaced by the statistics of ...
12
votes
2answers
5k views
Does a spellcaster know when their spell has no effect due to a save or immunity?
Suppose a cleric casts Zone of Truth on a captured enemy. Unbeknownst to them, the enemy is a rakshasa. Zone of Truth says (PHB, p. 289):
You know whether each creature succeeds or fails on its ...
27
votes
4answers
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Ogre CR calculation: is it wrong or am I missing something?
My question is about the basic ogre CR calculation in the monster manual, which doesn't make senses to me. I tried to make a concept of an "armored ogre" with chain mail and pikes (AC 16 and 15 (2d10+...
32
votes
4answers
113k views
What does “+6 to hit, Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4)” mean in a creature's stat block?
My friends and I are very new to D&D, played like 3 times. In a monster's stats next to weapon damage it says stuff like "+11 to hit" and "Hit: 5 (1d8+1)". For the premade characters it just says ...
31
votes
3answers
5k views
How can I play monsters and NPCs up to their potential?
In many cases discussions about balance in 3.5 will, inevitably, involve one side or another invoking an anecdote of the time they fought this monster, or a member of that class, and they didn't ...
26
votes
3answers
5k views
What happens to swallowed creatures when Banishment is cast on the creature that swallowed them?
If a creature with the ability to swallow other creatures is banished what happens to a still living swallowed creature (i.e. PC)?
The banishment spell has the following key points:
"You attempt ...
19
votes
1answer
14k views
What creatures can cast spells from spell scrolls?
The DMG outlines what it means to be a spellcaster:
If the prerequisite is to be a spellcaster, a creature qualifies if it can cast at least one spell using its traits or features, not using a ...
18
votes
3answers
1k views
How do I handle active effects on a creature that then splits?
I don't really see an area in the MM, PHB, or DMG that specifies what happens to effects that are active on a creature that then splits.
A case came up where my party was being attacked by an Ochre ...
18
votes
3answers
22k views
How to decide what creatures are summoned?
The Conjure Woodland Beings spell says
You summon fey creatures that appear in unoccupied spaces that you can see within range. Choose one of the following options for what appears.
One fey creature ...
74
votes
11answers
13k views
Are Trolls immune to all instant death effects?
Part of the Troll's Regeneration feature says:
The troll dies only if it starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesn't regenerate.
Does this case beat instant kill effects, such as Divine Word or ...
16
votes
2answers
764 views
What is considered a class feature for a monster for the purpose of Change Shape?
It's well understood that Spellcasting in a creature's stat block is a class feature. For the purposes of Change Shape and similar abilities where the term "class features" has mechanical importance, ...
14
votes
1answer
2k views
Can beasts benefit from magic items?
Can a non-player beast benefit from a magic item's effects? For example, would a cat that was wearing a headband of intellect get the extra intelligence the item gives?
14
votes
1answer
4k views
What happens with the Drow's poisoned weapons when picked up by a PC?
The Drow Elite Warrior does 3d6 extra poison damage (no save!), it's not a magical sword but an ability of the creature. So that same sword in the hands of another character is just a sword, it's the ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
How is an NPC's gear value determined?
A PC's Wealth by Level (DMG 135) is determined by the PC's effective character level (ECL), but how does the DM determine an NPC's gear value on Table 4-23: NPC Gear Value (DMG 127)? Does the DM use ...
21
votes
3answers
3k views
What updates should be done to older monsters to bring them in line with MM3 era monsters?
I know that to better balance paragon and epic level players against similar level monsters, WotC changed the math used for monsters for MM3, and I believe that they changed some of the types of ...
38
votes
4answers
21k views
Can a demon or devil be redeemed?
In Chapter 4 of the Basic Rules or PHB p. 122, under "Alignment in the Multiverse", it says:
Alignment is an essential part of the nature of celestials and fiends. A devil does not choose to be ...
34
votes
3answers
5k views
Can a monster with no melee attack make an Opportunity Attack?
Specifically, in D&D 5e is the Flameskull allowed to take opportunity attacks against enemies that move away from it? It has spells and one at-will spell attack (Fire Ray), but no melee abilities ...
43
votes
7answers
6k views
How much do I tell new players about new monsters?
Background
I am a brand-new DM, about to lead a game for brand-new players. I have a lot of knowledge of rules from playing Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights over and over, leafing through a ...
41
votes
8answers
11k views
As a Barbarian, how can I contribute to fights against slash-immune creatures?
I play a Totem Warrior with a greataxe. Last night we encountered our first black ooze, and all I could do was throw javelins to contribute damage!
I'm not trying to deal glass-cannon levels of ...
29
votes
5answers
13k views
Can animated undead wear armor and use weapons?
A wizard has just killed a group of heavily armored fighters with great weapons. He uses Animate Dead on the bodies. The spell reads as:
This spell creates an undead servant. Choose a pile of bones ...
6
votes
1answer
6k views
What creatures does Antimagic Field temporarily wink out of existence?
The antimagic field spell has the following effect on creatures:
A creature or object summoned or created by magic temporarily winks out of existence in the sphere. Such a creature instantly ...
31
votes
3answers
6k views
Do PCs get the attack and to hit bonus from enemy weapons they may pick up?
I'm new to D&D 5e and monster weapons and attacks are confusing. I want to clear this up before I allow this, because it could be a huge mistake.
If my PCs kill a monster and decide to take the ...
23
votes
2answers
48k views
Does the Daylight spell hurt Vampires?
My PCs have a spear which is able to cast the Daylight Spell. Would this have any effect on Vampires in the spell radius like regular Sunlight would or would it just be considered Bright light for the ...
11
votes
3answers
1k views
Does Antimagic Field suppress or prevent petrification from a creature ability?
Inspired by this question and in particular, this answer. I'm focusing on a specific effect; petrification.
If by a medusa's gaze or a beholder's eye rays (or other creatures with a similar ability), ...
10
votes
1answer
991 views
Can a naga cast spells even though it has no hands?
The rules on somatic components are clear:
A somatic component is a measured and precise movement of the hand. You must have at least one hand free to provide a somatic component.
A naga generally ...
50
votes
7answers
3k views
What is a good way to become a better NPC/monster actor?
One of the biggest problems I have as Game Master, (going on 30+yrs) is in portraying NPC and Monsters in any RPG. Is there a good resource for becoming a better 'actor'?
Instead of just saying... ...
24
votes
6answers
61k views
Is it possible to actually kill a Tarrasque? [closed]
I've seen a good bit of conflicting information on this creature. Is it possible to actually kill it? Permanently?
Is the answer to this something that varies from edition to edition of D&D?
50
votes
2answers
12k views
What makes the Monstrous Crab so dangerous?
It was recently mentioned that the Monstrous Crab is generally capable of wiping out even a powerful 3rd level party. It seems to me that, lacking any anti-ranged capability whatsoever, it is ...
asked Nov 12 '15 at 0:38
Please stop being evil
60.1k13 gold badges132 silver badges271 bronze badges
30
votes
2answers
9k views
Is there an iconic monster or creature for each alignment?
In my D&D 5e game, I have a custom cosmology, and I'm currently working on a concept for an afterlife plane where any sentient creature who enters is sorted by alignment and guided to the ...
6
votes
3answers
19k views
How can I convert enemies from D&D 3.5e to 5e?
I'm trying to convert The Forgotten Forge from the back of the Eberron book into 5th Edition to run it, and right now I'm trying to get the enemies inside it converted over, using the UA article as a ...
27
votes
3answers
28k views
To Kill a Vampire in Mist Form
There are two different cases for a Vampire being in Mist Form.
By volition: (Shapechanger ability)
Via combat reduction to 0 hit points. (Misty Escape)
Shapechanger. If the vampire isn’t in ...
34
votes
1answer
3k views
In what order should one apply max HP reduction and damage?
A character at 10/26 HP is hit by a Wraith and fails the Constitution saving throw. They take 21 damage and their maximum HP is reduced to 5.
Are they unconscious because the 11 excess damage is less ...
11
votes
1answer
5k views
Resisted energy types and immunity
I would like to know the distribution of energy resistances and immunities in 3.5 monsters, and especially the four basic types fire, cold, electricity and acid.
It is often said that fire is most ...
7
votes
3answers
538 views
Is there any good place on the internet that hosts monster playtests? [closed]
I've been a DM for a while for 3.5. I've run many NPC characters, however only a small fraction of monsters out of the books (comparatively). Also, I like to use templates liberally as well as advance ...
18
votes
4answers
3k views
How can one establish communication with intelligent creatures lacking language?
The ice toad (Frostburn 140-1) is a magical beast with an Intelligence score of 6 yet no language. Beyond being conceptually annoying and making me feel bad for the handful of aberrant genius ice ...
17
votes
2answers
1k views
Can you heal a split black pudding?
In 3.5, black puddings possess:
Split (Ex)
Slashing and piercing weapons deal no damage to a black pudding. Instead the creature splits into two identical puddings, each with half of the original’...
asked Jun 15 '14 at 13:53
Brian Ballsun-Stanton
101k20 gold badges254 silver badges449 bronze badges
17
votes
2answers
4k views
Do monsters have proficiency with all weapons and armors?
As a bit of background, my players befriended a kobold and gave him a javelin (instead of the dagger a kobold usually have, according to his stat block). They later also gave him a leather armor for ...
16
votes
2answers
3k views
Are Erinyes' Hellish Weapons poisonous in a PC's hands?
So the entry for Erinyes has the following:
Hellish Weapons. The erinyes's weapon attacks are magical and deal an extra 13 (3d8)
poison damage on a hit (included in the attacks).
Then we ...
13
votes
2answers
2k views
Were Grungs created for 5e?
In Volo's Guide to Monsters, there is a race in the bestiary called Grungs. Were these created for 5e specifically?
I'm pretty sure they were created for 5e, as they have no deities listed which is ...
12
votes
1answer
611 views
Under What Circumstances Do Additional Creatures Add to EL?
Question
The Dungeon Master's Guide explains that DMs
Do not award XP for creatures that enemies summon or otherwise add to their forces with magic powers. An enemy’s ability to summon or add these ...
12
votes
2answers
8k views
Does the Dispel Magic spell affect skeletons and other undead?
According to the MM skeletons are animated by dark magic. They heed the summons of spellcasters who call them from their tombs. The magical energy motivates a skeleton to move and think in a ...
11
votes
1answer
11k views
Is Innate Spellcasting counterspellable?
On p.85 of Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, there’s a section clarifying that you need to perceive a spell being cast (by either a verbal, somatic or material component) in order to counterspell it.
...
6
votes
2answers
882 views
About monster definition and distinctions
I was having a discussion with some guy and I argued that I think D&D made distinctions between monsters and regular characters since earlier editions, and it even employed different mechanics. ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Advancing a monster with spell-like abilities
I am interested in advancing an Efreeti to 16 HD and thus making it huge. My question is about advancing a monster with spell-like abilities. Would the caster level - currently 12 - increase by ...
12
votes
5answers
5k views
Standard monster tactics for 4E D&D combat
In a similar vein to a question on tactics sources, I'm interested in knowing what are common tactics for monsters to use. The DMB and the MV mention monster groups, which are very useful, but I want ...
57
votes
1answer
7k views
What happens to a Devil when its alignment is forcibly changed?
According to PHB 122, in the section entitled Alignment in the Multiverse, for most creatures, "alignment is a moral choice." Myth says good-aligned gods created the races that are free to choose to ...
23
votes
3answers
17k views
What's the difference between a Tiefling and a Cambion?
I always thought that Cambions (only considering Infernal Cambions here for simplicity) were half devils, whereas Tieflings were more distantly related to devils.
From the PHB, pg. 42:
Tieflings are ...
36
votes
5answers
75k views
Why is the Tarrasque the most dreaded creature?
The dnd5e Tarrasque does not look that dreadful to me. It seems very vulnerable to airborne attacks. In a world where fly is a third level spell, hippogriffs (among other flying creatures) can be ...
22
votes
5answers
14k views
Can monsters with multiattack take grapple and shove actions?
If lets say... an Owlbear which has the multiattack trait wants to knock someone down and grapple them. Can the owlbear replace the 2 attack actions covered under the multiattack with a grapple and a ...
