The menagerie of monsters inDungeons and Dragonsis ever-expanding both in numbers and in the lore that surrounds them. From the twisted history of the Demon Lords to the grim and darkbeginnings of Vecna, there’s no shortage of mythos to add to your next campaign. Having said that, it always seems to bethe “big names” in the Monster Manualthat get the most attention.
Related:Dungeons & Dragons: The Silliest Monsters
Thelegend behind beings like Tiamat and Bahamutare well known and often featured in various media. However, the same can’t be said for creatures like hags or basilisks who, to most DMs and players, are just another set of monsters to slay. It’s a shame, as there are several monsters whose lore could make for an enthralling storyline. Here’s a list of just a few of the many monsters in D&D that are more than just monsters.
8Lycanthropes
The werewolf isa classic monsternot just in D&D but in pop culture in general. However, it’s because of this popularity that DMs see them and the other lycanthropes in D&D as a simple enemy to throw at their players. This is an unfortunate mistake as lycanthropes can give so much to a campaign.
For one, there are so many different types of were creatures in D&D. There are weretigers, wererats, and even weredragons according to D&D lore. Encountering these uncommon were-folk would make for a unique encounter for an adventuring party. Not to mention the RP that could come from finding a lycanthrope troupe who hates or resents their affliction would give these creatures depth and can lead up to a tough choice over how to deal with them.
7Chimeras
Chimeras themselves aren’t exactly the most lore-heavy creatures in the Monster Manual. In fact, it’s expressly stated that chimeras are unintelligent and dull. They’re literally monsters in every sense of the word. That said, the creation of these creatures is what makes them interesting.
Related:Underrated D&D Monsters To Include In Your Next Campaign
These creatures were said to have been created when Demogorgon “blessed” several creatures with demonic cruelty after being summoned to the Material Plane transforming them into the chimeras we know today. For a campaign, maybe there’s been an influx in chimeras, hinting that the Demon Prince has returned to the Material Plane. This could lead to an apocalyptic type of scenario, and an eventual confrontation with Demogorgon.
6Beholders
Beholders are quite possibly one of the most interesting creatures in D&D. These egotistical and paranoid meatballs areperfect boss monsters for mid-level partieswith their multitude of abilities and elaborate traps. There are even several named beholders in D&D. That said, there’s still a lot about these creatures that people don’t realize.
For one thing, beholders can influence the very fabric of reality. Its dreams can create other full-grown beholders or even alter the initial beholder. Even the death of a beholder doesn’t mean the end of the havoc they cause, as the fear it experiences could create an eye tyrant. All of this coupled with a deceptively charismatic personality makes this creature far more terrifying than you would first think.
5Slaadi
While not commonly used in the average campaign, slaadi can make for an interesting encounter in more ways than one. For instance, slaadi are beings of chaos born from Limbo. There’s no reasoning with a slaad as they’re not only mad but also inherently destructive. They can inflict chaos phage, an affliction that spreads through a person until they turn into a slaad themselves.
While role play revolving around a party member transforming into a slaad can be interesting, there’s another little tidbit about slaadi that makes them even more appealing. Within Limbo, slaadi are one of several creatures capable of manipulating the raw chaos of this plane, allowing them to shape the very landscape to fit their desires. Should a party find it necessary to fight a slaad within their home dimension, that slaad could easily make the fightfar more difficult than you would think.
4Gnolls
Behind goblins and kobolds, gnolls are possibly the most used “fodder” creatures in D&D. These humanoid hyenas are often seen as mindless brutes that consistently ransack small villages or towns. While gnollsdoin fact do these things, these creatures are more intelligent than people give them credit for.
Related:Dungeons & Dragons: Creatures That Should Be Playable Races
Gnolls are not only pack hunters, but they are also family oriented. It’s been noted that gnolls will go out of their way to help one of their brethren even at the risk of their own life. During the rare moments when a gnoll is without a tribe, they’ve been known to form similar bonds, becoming incredibly loyal to those it allies itself with. While hyenas are more closely related to cats, gnolls definitely can give dogs a run for their money.
3Aboleths
These squid-like aberrations are best known for hypnotizing innocent villagers and luring themto its waterswhere they will undergo horrible transformations. When dealing with an aboleth, a party must remain ever vigilant as these creatures employ a myriad of psionic abilities to confuse and overwhelm their foes. However, while these features make aboleths incredibly dangerous, their intelligence is often forgotten.
Aboleths are said to have existed before even the gods. They’ve seen everything, and they remember it all with perfect clarity. This makes them a wealth of knowledge as well as a cunning and manipulative enemy. Perhaps, instead of hunting an aboleth, a group must appeal to one of these creatures in hopes to gain knowledge.
2Mimics
A dungeon is a stereotypical home for a mimic. They’re known for imitating chests to lure unsuspecting adventurers to their untimely demise, but they can do so much more than just that. While it’s true that the vast majority of mimics are mindless beasts lying in wait, they’re intelligent enough to know how to lure in prey.
Related:D&D Monsters That Could Easily Be Pokemon
Additionally, there are mimics that are smarter than that. They’ve been noted to bargain with other sentient beings, negotiating knowledge or items for food. On top of that, there’s no limit to how large a mimic can grow. With enough time, who’s to say that a group of mimics couldn’t form an entire town, complete with people to lure in an unassuming adventuring party? The possibilities are as endless as they are terrifying.
1Death Knights
The concept of a paladin falling from grace is so phenomenal that it’s a shame that it’s often lost on a death knight. These undead creatures are the remnants of a holy warrior who broke their vows and failed to atone before their deaths. They’re fueled by a desire for redemption that can keep them going even after they are felled.
Having players encounter a roaming death knight would make for a much better story than simply fighting one in a dungeon. Have the party learn about their past and, instead of simply killing it, offer the choice to help them earn forgiveness. This would make for an amazing moment that players would remember.
