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.
523
questions
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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 ...
20
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3answers
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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 ...
15
votes
3answers
6k 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 ...
57
votes
6answers
94k views
Does D&D 5e have a rule for character knowledge about monsters?
In the 3rd and 4th editions of D&D, there were explicit rules for determining if a character knew anything about a monster before them. In 3rd edition, for example, use of the Knowledge skill ...
27
votes
4answers
11k views
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+...
34
votes
5answers
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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
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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 ...
23
votes
1answer
15k 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
25k 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 ...
39
votes
4answers
25k 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 ...
74
votes
11answers
14k 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 ...
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 ...
35
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 ...
31
votes
5answers
17k 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 ...
19
votes
3answers
1k 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 ...
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 ...
15
votes
3answers
6k views
Do Druid animal companions go up in size with HD and gain size-based stat increases?
I have an animal companion which has just gained its 5th HD. On page 291 of Monster Manual 1, the Improving Monsters section says that an increase in Size also changes stats.
Do animal companions (e....
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 ...
10
votes
1answer
1k 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 ...
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 ...
31
votes
2answers
10k 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 ...
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 ...
41
votes
8answers
12k 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 ...
7
votes
1answer
8k 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 ...
10
votes
1answer
1k views
Do Gaze Effects work through a Wall of Force?
A lich listed in a WotC Adventure can cast wall of force.
We are trying to determine what the lich could do if it were to cast a spherical Wall of Force around itself.
Wall of force creates a ...
26
votes
2answers
56k 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 ...
19
votes
5answers
8k views
Does a natural 20 on an animal handling check allow a character to affect a tamed non-animal creature?
One of my players rolled a natural 20 for Animal Handling on a Grick which had previously been trained by goblins. What happens to the grick now? Can he tame it or should it just now be calmed?
12
votes
1answer
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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.
...
11
votes
3answers
2k 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), ...
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
70k 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?
51
votes
2answers
13k 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
63.8k13 gold badges142 silver badges288 bronze badges
58
votes
2answers
8k 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 ...
29
votes
3answers
33k 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 ...
6
votes
3answers
24k 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 ...
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 ...
13
votes
5answers
11k views
Is it possible to have two familiars?
Out of curiosity, is it possible to have two familiars?
As far as I know there are two possible ways to obtain familiars. One is with the find familiar spell; the other is to find a creature with the ...
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
539 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
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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
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 ...
17
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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
102k20 gold badges257 silver badges454 bronze badges
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 ...
14
votes
2answers
3k 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 ...
13
votes
1answer
626 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
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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 ...
6
votes
2answers
992 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. ...
5
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2answers
189 views
Does using an Owl's “Talons” action while Wild Shaped count as taking the Attack action?
First, a reason this might matter would be a multiclassed Druid/Monk using Wild Shape and hoping to use Flurry of Blows, the latter of which states:
Immediately after you take the Attack action on ...
