Combat rating 3

January 30, 2024

SPINED DEVIL: Messenger, Sentry, and Quick-Moving Attacker

Before I begin, let me say that there is no reason that the spined devil would ever make a melee attack. Continue reading

attacker (CR 0-4), minion

Combat rating 3, Combat rating 4, Combat rating 5, devils, difficulty 4
January 21, 2024

IMP: How to Make Really Bad Bargains

An imp will be looking for ways to corrupt its master, as well as anybody else that it can. To achieve that end, it will look for ways to suggest evil deeds that have some chance of being persuasive. Continue reading

guardian (CR 0-4), minion

Combat rating 1, Combat rating 2, Combat rating 3, devils, difficulty 4, difficulty varies, social encounter
December 7, 2023

QUASIT & Making Familiars and Other NPCs Interesting

Before we get into uses for this monster as an enemy, I’m going to start with how to use the quasit as an ally. Specifically, how it can be used when it’s playing the role of a warlock’s familiar. Continue reading

guardian (CR 0-4), minion

battlemap, Combat rating 1, Combat rating 2, Combat rating 3, difficulty 1, difficulty 2, difficulty 3, puzzle, social encounter
October 19, 2023

DARKMANTLE: Traps and Obstacles in the Dark

The darkmantle’s basic tactics are to use its false appearance until prey gets within reach, then use a turn to activate its darkness, and only then to latch onto the target. Continue reading

animal, guardian (CR 0-4)

battlemap, Combat rating 1, Combat rating 2, Combat rating 3, difficulty 3, difficulty 5, theater of mind, traps
August 17, 2023

CENTAUR: Tactics of Horse Archers

The Monster Manual doesn’t talk much about what centaurs are like. In almost every book I can think of, though, their personalities range from proud to arrogant jerks. They are certain of themselves and they look down on other creatures. Continue reading

guardian (CR 0-4), minion

battlemap, Combat rating 3, Combat rating 4, Combat rating 5, difficulty 4, social encounter
August 10, 2023

CARRION CRAWLER: The Monster on the Ceiling

The players have to climb a cliff, and there is a carrion crawler waiting for them on top of an outcropping (to stop them from shooting it down.) Continue reading

animal, guardian (CR 0-4)

Combat rating 3, Combat rating 4, Combat rating 5, difficulty 3, difficulty 4
July 17, 2023

BUGBEAR: Ideas for Sneak Attacks

The bugbears’ entire style is to attack from behind, run for it as soon as they start losing, and then attack from behind again as soon as they can. Continue reading

guardian (CR 0-4), minion

bugbears, Combat rating 1, Combat rating 2, Combat rating 3, difficulty 4
July 13, 2023

VINE BLIGHT: The Forest’s Dark Grasp

The most obvious way to use vine blights is for them to hold the prey still while needle blights and/or other ranged attackers pelt the captive from a distance. Continue reading

animal, guardian (CR 0-4)

blights, Combat rating 1, Combat rating 2, Combat rating 3, difficulty 1, difficulty 2, difficulty 3
May 28, 2023

AZER: Turning its Terrain Into a Hazard

The azer are extremely neutral. They won’t seek out a conflict, but they won’t shy away from one either. If the players are coming after them, or if for some reason they need to attack the players, they won’t try to avoid it. Continue reading

guardian (CR 0-4), minion

Combat rating 3, Combat rating 4, Combat rating 5, difficulty 3, difficulty 4
May 25, 2023

ANKHEG: Four Ways to use for Burrowing Monsters

The ankheg’s preferred style of combat is to burrow, and to attack by coming out of its burrow right under the victim, so that only that one person can fight back at it. Continue reading

animal, guardian (CR 0-4)

Combat rating 3, Combat rating 4, Combat rating 5, difficulty 3, difficulty 4, difficulty 5, traps

About Me

I’ve been a DM since I was about 10 years old. (Not of D&D, admittedly, but still.) After growing bored of fights that were all the same, dungeons heavily populated by one monster type, and a general shortage of ideas, I figured I’d embark on my own trip through the Monster Manual, one monster at a time. Feel free to join the quest.

Dragon Encounters

Combat rating 3

SPINED DEVIL: Messenger, Sentry, and Quick-Moving Attacker

DARKMANTLE: Traps and Obstacles in the Dark

CARRION CRAWLER: The Monster on the Ceiling

BUGBEAR: Ideas for Sneak Attacks

VINE BLIGHT: The Forest’s Dark Grasp

AZER: Turning its Terrain Into a Hazard

ANKHEG: Four Ways to use for Burrowing Monsters

About Me

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