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<blockquote data-quote="Iosue" data-source="post: 6595369" data-attributes="member: 6680772"><p>As a lazy way to spend a Saturday, I decided to look at just how much content was available to a DM who didn't buy any of the Core Books. This first look is at Monsters, which take up the most of the free available PDFs.</p><p></p><p>Just to provide a baseline, the Monster Manual provides 429(!) distinct statblocks, including the miscellaneous creatures and NPC appendices. For reference, they are as follows (warning: this is huge and not especially readable):</p><p>[sblock=Monster Manual]Aarakocra</p><p>Aboleth</p><p>Acolyte</p><p>Angel, Deva</p><p>Angel, Planetar</p><p>Angel, Solar</p><p>Animated Object, Animated Armor</p><p>Animated Object, Flying Sword</p><p>Animated Object, Rug of Smothering</p><p>Ankheg</p><p>Ape</p><p>Ape, Giant</p><p>Archmage</p><p>Assassin</p><p>Awakened Shrub</p><p>Awakened Tree</p><p>Axe Beak</p><p>Azer</p><p>Baboon</p><p>Badger</p><p>Badger, Giant</p><p>Bandit</p><p>Bandit Captain</p><p>Banshee</p><p>Basilisk</p><p>Bat</p><p>Bat, Giant</p><p>Bat, Swarm</p><p>Bear, Black</p><p>Bear, Brown</p><p>Bear, Polar</p><p>Beetle, Giant Fire</p><p>Behir</p><p>Beholder</p><p>Beholder, Death Tyrant</p><p>Beholder, Spectator</p><p>Berserker</p><p>Blight, Needle</p><p>Blight, Twig</p><p>Blight, Vine</p><p>Blink Dog</p><p>Blood Hawk</p><p>Boar</p><p>Boar, Giant</p><p>Bugbear</p><p>Bugbear Chief</p><p>Bulette</p><p>Bullywug</p><p>Cambion</p><p>Camel</p><p>Carrion Crawler</p><p>Cat</p><p>Centaur</p><p>Centipede, Giant</p><p>Chimera</p><p>Chuul</p><p>Cloaker</p><p>Cockatrice</p><p>Commoner</p><p>Couatl</p><p>Crab</p><p>Crab, Giant</p><p>Crawling Crawl</p><p>Crocodile</p><p>Crocodile, Giant</p><p>Cult Fanatic</p><p>Cultist</p><p>Cyclops</p><p>Darkmantle</p><p>Death Dog</p><p>Death Knight</p><p>Deer</p><p>Demilich</p><p>Demon, Balor</p><p>Demon, Barlgura</p><p>Demon, Chasme</p><p>Demon, Dretch</p><p>Demon, Glabrezu</p><p>Demon, Goristro</p><p>Demon, Hezrou</p><p>Demon, Manes</p><p>Demon, Marilith</p><p>Demon, Nalfeshnee</p><p>Demon, Quasit</p><p>Demon, Shadow</p><p>Demon, Vrock</p><p>Demon, Yochol</p><p>Devil, Barbed</p><p>Devil, Bearded</p><p>Devil, Bone</p><p>Devil, Chain</p><p>Devil, Erinyes</p><p>Devil, Horned</p><p>Devil, Ice</p><p>Devil, Imp</p><p>Devil, Lemure</p><p>Devil, Pit Fiend</p><p>Devil, Spined</p><p>Dinosaur, Allosaurus</p><p>Dinosaur, Ankylosaurus</p><p>Dinosaur, Plesiosaurus</p><p>Dinosaur, Pteranodon</p><p>Dinosaur, Triceratops</p><p>Dinosaur, Tyrannosaurus Rex</p><p>Displacer Beast</p><p>Dog, Mastiff</p><p>Doppelganger</p><p>Dracolich, Adult Blue</p><p>Dragon Turtle</p><p>Dragon, Adult Black</p><p>Dragon, Adult Blue</p><p>Dragon, Adult Brass</p><p>Dragon, Adult Bronze</p><p>Dragon, Adult Copper</p><p>Dragon, Adult Gold</p><p>Dragon, Adult Green</p><p>Dragon, Adult Red</p><p>Dragon, Adult Silver</p><p>Dragon, Adult White</p><p>Dragon, Ancient Black</p><p>Dragon, Ancient Blue</p><p>Dragon, Ancient Brass</p><p>Dragon, Ancient Bronze</p><p>Dragon, Ancient Copper</p><p>Dragon, Ancient Gold</p><p>Dragon, Ancient Green</p><p>Dragon, Ancient Red</p><p>Dragon, Ancient Silver</p><p>Dragon, Ancient White</p><p>Dragon, Wyrmling Black</p><p>Dragon, Wyrmling Blue</p><p>Dragon, Wyrmling Brass</p><p>Dragon, Wyrmling Bronze</p><p>Dragon, Wyrmling Copper</p><p>Dragon, Wyrmling Gold</p><p>Dragon, Wyrmling Green</p><p>Dragon, Wyrmling Red</p><p>Dragon, Wyrmling Silver</p><p>Dragon, Wyrmling White</p><p>Dragon, Young Black</p><p>Dragon, Young Blue</p><p>Dragon, Young Brass</p><p>Dragon, Young Bronze</p><p>Dragon, Young Copper</p><p>Dragon, Young Gold</p><p>Dragon, Young Green</p><p>Dragon, Young Red</p><p>Dragon, Young Red Shadow</p><p>Dragon, Young Silver</p><p>Dragon, Young White</p><p>Drider</p><p>Druid</p><p>Dryad</p><p>Duergar</p><p>Eagle</p><p>Eagle, Giant</p><p>Elemental, Air</p><p>Elemental, Earth</p><p>Elemental, Fire</p><p>Elemental, Water</p><p>Elephant</p><p>Elf, Drow</p><p>Elf, Drow Elite Warrior</p><p>Elf, Drow Mage</p><p>Elf, Drow Priestess of Lolth</p><p>Elk</p><p>Elk, Giant</p><p>Empyrean</p><p>Ettercap</p><p>Ettin</p><p>Fairie Dragon</p><p>Flameskull</p><p>Flumph</p><p>Fomorian</p><p>Frog</p><p>Frog, Giant</p><p>Fungi, Gas Spore</p><p>Fungi, Shrieker</p><p>Fungi, Violet</p><p>Galeb Duhr</p><p>Gargoyle</p><p>Genie, Dao</p><p>Genie, Djinni</p><p>Genie, Efreeti</p><p>Genie, Marid</p><p>Ghost</p><p>Ghost, Ghast</p><p>Ghoul</p><p>Giant, Cloud</p><p>Giant, Fire</p><p>Giant, Frost</p><p>Giant, Hill</p><p>Giant, Stone</p><p>Giant, Storm</p><p>Gibbering Mouther</p><p>Githyank Knight</p><p>Githyanki Warrior</p><p>Githzerai Monk</p><p>Githzerai Zerth</p><p>Gladiator</p><p>Gnoll</p><p>Gnoll Fang of Yeenoghu</p><p>Gnoll Pack Lord</p><p>Gnome, Deep</p><p>Goat</p><p>Goat, Giant</p><p>Goblin</p><p>Goblin Boss</p><p>Golem, Clay</p><p>Golem, Flesh</p><p>Golem, Iron</p><p>Golem, Stone</p><p>Gorgon</p><p>Grell</p><p>Grick</p><p>Grick Alpha</p><p>Griffon</p><p>Grimlock</p><p>Guard</p><p>Hag, Green</p><p>Hag, Night</p><p>Hag, Sea</p><p>Half-Dragon</p><p>Half-Ogre</p><p>Harpy</p><p>Hawk</p><p>Hell Hound</p><p>Helmed Horror</p><p>Hippogriff</p><p>Hobgoblin</p><p>Hobgoblin Captain</p><p>Hobgoblin Warlord</p><p>Homunculus</p><p>Hook Horror</p><p>Horse, Draft</p><p>Horse, Pony</p><p>Horse, Riding</p><p>Horse, War</p><p>Hydra</p><p>Hyena</p><p>Hyena, Giant</p><p>Insect, Swarm</p><p>Intellect Devourer</p><p>Invisible Stalker</p><p>Jackal</p><p>Jackalwere</p><p>Kenku</p><p>Knight</p><p>Kobold</p><p>Kobold, Winged</p><p>Kraken</p><p>Kuo-toa</p><p>Kuo-toa Archpriest</p><p>Kuo-toa Whip</p><p>Lamia</p><p>Lich</p><p>Lion</p><p>Lizard</p><p>Lizard, Giant</p><p>Lizardfolk</p><p>Lizardfolk King/Queen</p><p>Lizardfolk Shaman</p><p>Lycanthrope, Werebear</p><p>Lycanthrope, Wereboar</p><p>Lycanthrope, Wererat</p><p>Lycanthrope, Weretiger</p><p>Lycanthrope, Werewolf</p><p>Mage</p><p>Magmin</p><p>Mammoth</p><p>Manticore</p><p>Medusa</p><p>Mephin, Mud</p><p>Mephint, Smoke</p><p>Mephit, Dust</p><p>Mephit, Ice</p><p>Mephit, Magma</p><p>Mephit, Steam</p><p>Merfolk</p><p>Merrow</p><p>Mimi</p><p>Mind Flayer</p><p>Minotaur</p><p>Modron, Duodrone</p><p>Modron, Monodrone</p><p>Modron, Pentadrone</p><p>Modron, Quadrone</p><p>Modron, Tridrone</p><p>Mule</p><p>Mummy</p><p>Mummy Lord</p><p>Myconid Adult</p><p>Myconid Sovereign</p><p>Myconid Sprout</p><p>Myconid, Quaggoth Spore Servant</p><p>Naga, Bone</p><p>Naga, Guardian</p><p>Naga, Spirit</p><p>Nightmare</p><p>Noble</p><p>Nothic</p><p>Octopus</p><p>Octopus, Giant</p><p>Ogre</p><p>Oni</p><p>Ooze, Black Pudding</p><p>Ooze, Gelatinous Cube</p><p>Ooze, Gray</p><p>Ooze, Ochre Jelly</p><p>Orc</p><p>Orc Eye of Gruumsh</p><p>Orc War Chief</p><p>Orog</p><p>Otyugh</p><p>Owl</p><p>Owl, Giant</p><p>Owlbear</p><p>Panther</p><p>Pegasus</p><p>Peryton</p><p>Piercer</p><p>Pixie</p><p>Priest</p><p>Pseudodragon</p><p>Purple Worm</p><p>Quaggoth</p><p>Quipper</p><p>Quipper, Swarm</p><p>Rakshasa</p><p>Rat</p><p>Rat, Giant</p><p>Rat, Swarm</p><p>Raven</p><p>Raven, Swarm</p><p>Remorhaz</p><p>Remorhaz, Young</p><p>Revenant</p><p>Rhinoceros</p><p>Roc</p><p>Roper</p><p>Rust Monster</p><p>Sahuagin</p><p>Sahuagin Baron</p><p>Sahuagin Priestess</p><p>Salamander</p><p>Salamander, Fire Snake</p><p>Satyr</p><p>Scarecrow</p><p>Scorpion</p><p>Scorpion, Giant</p><p>Scout</p><p>Sea Horse</p><p>Sea Horse, Giant</p><p>Shadow</p><p>Shambling Mound</p><p>Shark, Giant</p><p>Shark, Hunter</p><p>Shark, Reef</p><p>Shield Guardian</p><p>Skeleton</p><p>Skeleton, Minotaur</p><p>Skeleton, Warhorse</p><p>Slaad, Blue</p><p>Slaad, Death</p><p>Slaad, Gray</p><p>Slaad, Green</p><p>Slaad, Red</p><p>Slaad, Tadpole</p><p>Snake, Constrictor</p><p>Snake, Flying</p><p>Snake, Giant Constrictor</p><p>Snake, Giant Poisonous</p><p>Snake, Poisonous</p><p>Snake, Poisonous Swarm</p><p>Specter</p><p>Sphinx, Androsphinx</p><p>Sphinx, Gynosphinx</p><p>Spider</p><p>Spider, Giant</p><p>Spider, Giant Wolf</p><p>Spider, Phase</p><p>Sprite</p><p>Spy</p><p>Stirge</p><p>Succubus/Incubus</p><p>Tarrasque</p><p>Thri-keen</p><p>Thug</p><p>Tiger</p><p>Tiger, Saber-toothed</p><p>Toad, Giant</p><p>Treant</p><p>Tribal Warrior</p><p>Troglodyte</p><p>Troll</p><p>Umber Hulk</p><p>Unicorn</p><p>Vampire</p><p>Vampire Spawn</p><p>Veteran</p><p>Vulture</p><p>Vulture, Giant</p><p>Wasp, Giant</p><p>Water Weird</p><p>Weasel</p><p>Weasel, Giant</p><p>Whale, Killer</p><p>Wight</p><p>Will-o'-Wisp</p><p>Wolf</p><p>Wolf</p><p>Wolf, Dire</p><p>Wolf, Winter</p><p>Wolf, Worg</p><p>Wraith</p><p>Wyvern</p><p>Xorn</p><p>Yeti</p><p>Yeti, Abominable</p><p>Yuan-ti, Abomination</p><p>Yuan-ti, Malison</p><p>Yuan-ti, Pureblood</p><p>Yugoloth, Arcanaloth</p><p>Yugoloth, Mezzoloth</p><p>Yugoloth, Nycaloth</p><p>Yugoloth, Ultroloth</p><p>Zombie</p><p>Zombie Beholder</p><p>Zombie Ogre[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>So, starting with the Basic rules, it contains 169 statblocks, or about 40% of the Monster Manual. It lacks some of the more obscure (aboleth, galeb duhr) and also some of the more well-known (beholder, mindflayer). Spectators do show up as a kind of poor man's Beholder. Angels, Devils, and Demons are entirely absent, as are metallic dragons. Only an adult red and a young green represent chromatic dragons. Just about any monster that has multiple versions or statblocks in the MM finds itself stripped down to basics in the Basic Rules. What it lacks in Devils and Demons it makes up with Dinosaurs (fully represented) and Giant animals. It feels plain to me that they really looked to B/X when choosing their selection. You could practically play B2 and X1 with these rules. Here's the list for reference:</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Basic Rules]Acolyte</p><p>Animated Object, Animated Armor</p><p>Ape</p><p>Ape, Giant</p><p>Awakened Shrub</p><p>Awakened Tree</p><p>Axe Beak</p><p>Baboon</p><p>Badger</p><p>Badger, Giant</p><p>Bandit</p><p>Banshee</p><p>Basilisk</p><p>Bat</p><p>Bat, Giant</p><p>Bat, Swarm</p><p>Bear, Black</p><p>Bear, Brown</p><p>Bear, Polar</p><p>Beetle, Giant Fire</p><p>Beholder, Spectator</p><p>Berserker</p><p>Blight, Twig</p><p>Blink Dog</p><p>Blood Hawk</p><p>Boar</p><p>Boar, Giant</p><p>Bugbear</p><p>Camel</p><p>Cat</p><p>Centaur</p><p>Centipede, Giant</p><p>Chimera</p><p>Cockatrice</p><p>Commoner</p><p>Crab</p><p>Crab, Giant</p><p>Crocodile</p><p>Crocodile, Giant</p><p>Cultist</p><p>Cyclops</p><p>Death Dog</p><p>Deer</p><p>Dinosaur, Allosaurus</p><p>Dinosaur, Ankylosaurus</p><p>Dinosaur, Plesiosaurus</p><p>Dinosaur, Pteranodon</p><p>Dinosaur, Triceratops</p><p>Dinosaur, Tyrannosaurus Rex</p><p>Dog, Mastiff</p><p>Doppelganger</p><p>Dragon, Adult Red</p><p>Dragon, Young Green</p><p>Eagle</p><p>Eagle, Giant</p><p>Elemental, Air</p><p>Elemental, Earth</p><p>Elemental, Fire</p><p>Elemental, Water</p><p>Elephant</p><p>Elk</p><p>Elk, Giant</p><p>Fire Giant</p><p>Flameskull</p><p>Flying Sword</p><p>Frog</p><p>Frog, Giant</p><p>Gargoyle</p><p>Ghost</p><p>Ghoul</p><p>Giant, Frost</p><p>Giant, Hill</p><p>Gnoll</p><p>Goat</p><p>Goat, Giant</p><p>Goblin</p><p>Golem, Flesh</p><p>Golem, Stone</p><p>Grick</p><p>Griffon</p><p>Guard</p><p>Harpy</p><p>Hawk</p><p>Hell Hound</p><p>Hippogriff</p><p>Hobgoblin</p><p>Horse, Draft</p><p>Horse, Pony</p><p>Horse, Riding</p><p>Horse, War</p><p>Hydra</p><p>Hyena</p><p>Hyena, Giant</p><p>Insect, Swarm</p><p>Jackal</p><p>Knight</p><p>Kobold</p><p>Lion</p><p>Lizard</p><p>Lizard, Giant</p><p>Lizardfolk</p><p>Lycanthrope, Werewolf</p><p>Mage</p><p>Mammoth</p><p>Manticore</p><p>Medusa</p><p>Merfolk</p><p>Minotaur</p><p>Mule</p><p>Mummy</p><p>Nothic</p><p>Octopus</p><p>Octopus, Giant</p><p>Ogre</p><p>Ooze, Ochre Jelly</p><p>Orc</p><p>Owl</p><p>Owl, Giant</p><p>Owlbear</p><p>Panther</p><p>Pegasus</p><p>Priest</p><p>Quipper</p><p>Quipper, Swarm</p><p>Rat</p><p>Rat, Giant</p><p>Rat, Swarm</p><p>Raven</p><p>Raven, Swarm</p><p>Rhinoceros</p><p>Satyr</p><p>Scorpion</p><p>Scorpion, Giant</p><p>Sea Horse </p><p>Sea Horse, Giant</p><p>Shark, Giant</p><p>Shark, Hunter</p><p>Shark, Reef</p><p>Skeleton</p><p>Snake, Constrictor</p><p>Snake, Flying</p><p>Snake, Giant Constrictor</p><p>Snake, Giant Poisonous</p><p>Snake, Poisonous</p><p>Snake, Poisonous Swarm</p><p>Spider</p><p>Spider, Giant</p><p>Spider, Giant Wolf</p><p>Spider, Phase</p><p>Stirge</p><p>Thug</p><p>Tiger</p><p>Tiger, Saber-toothed</p><p>Toad, Giant</p><p>Troll</p><p>Vulture</p><p>Vulture, Giant</p><p>Wasp, Giant</p><p>Weasel</p><p>Weasel, Giant</p><p>Whale, Killer</p><p>Wight</p><p>Wolf</p><p>Wolf, Dire</p><p>Wolf, Winter</p><p>Wolf, Worg</p><p>Wyvern</p><p>Yeti</p><p>Zombie[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Hoard of the Dragon Queen has 25 monsters new to the Basic Rules and Rise of Tiamat has 22, for a total of 47. Each has an almost equal number of monsters that are already included in the Basic Rules. The supplements are geared not simply for those using the Basic Rules, but for those running the game with, say, just PHBs. Basically, if you have the adventure book and the PDF, all you need is a source for characters, be that the Basic Rules or the PHB. The DM himself needs nothing else. I find this a fascinating strategy.</p><p></p><p>Between Hoard and Rise, a DM armed with only the Basic Rules now has Adult versions of Red, Blue, White, and Green Dragons, and Hill, Frost, and Stone Giants. Devils make an appearance, with the Barbed, Bearded, and Bone Devils showing up in Rise of Tiamat. Some of the B/X classics, like Vampires, Specters, and Wraiths are now available. However, much of the Dungeon Cleaning Crew are still unaccounted for, with only Gray Ooze and Ochre Jelly available. Hobgoblins get their Captains, and all versions of the Yuan-ti appear.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Tyranny of Dragons]Hoard</p><p>Animated Object, Rug of Smothering</p><p>Assassin</p><p>Bullywug</p><p>Dragon, Adult Blue</p><p>Dragon, Adult White</p><p>Ettercap</p><p>Fungi, Violet</p><p>Giant, Stone</p><p>Helmed Horror</p><p>Hobgoblin Captain</p><p>Kobold, Winged</p><p>Ooze, Gray</p><p>Otyugh</p><p>Peryton</p><p>Roper</p><p>Shambling Mound</p><p>Specter</p><p>Spy</p><p>Troglodyte</p><p>Vampire</p><p>Vampire Spawn</p><p>Veteran</p><p>Will-o'-Wisp</p><p>Yuan-ti Malison</p><p>Yuan-ti, Pureblood</p><p></p><p>Rise</p><p>Chuul</p><p>Cult Fantatic</p><p>Cyclops</p><p>Devil, Barbed</p><p>Devil, Bearded</p><p>Devil, Bone</p><p>Dragon, Adult Green</p><p>Druid</p><p>Ettin</p><p>Genie, Dao</p><p>Genie, Efreeti</p><p>Gladiator</p><p>Golem, Clay</p><p>Gorgon</p><p>Half-Red Dragon Veteran</p><p>Merrow</p><p>Mummy Lord</p><p>Pseudodragon</p><p>Succubus</p><p>Tribal Warrior</p><p>Wraith</p><p>Yuan-ti Abomination[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Princes of the Apocalypse is huge. It has 64 monsters new to the Basic Rules. Now the Basic DM has Adult versions of all the Chromatic Dragons, and one metallic dragon: the Adult Bronze. As Tyranny of Dragons introduced Devils, Princes introduced Demons: Barlgura, Shadow, and Vrock. Black Pudding joins the DCC. Some variant Orcs also appear, as do Umber Hulks. A selection of Kuo-toa show up, as well as numerous elemental-themed monsters.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Princes of the Apocalypse]Aarakocra</p><p>Aboleth</p><p>Ankheg</p><p>Azer</p><p>Bandit Captain</p><p>Bulette</p><p>Cloaker</p><p>Crawling Claw</p><p>Darkmantle</p><p>Demon, Barlgura</p><p>Demon, Shadow</p><p>Demon, Vrock</p><p>Dragon Turtle</p><p>Dragon, Adult Black</p><p>Dragon, Adult Bronze</p><p>Dragon, Young Red</p><p>Drow Mage</p><p>Duergar</p><p>Galeb Duhr</p><p>Genie, Djinni</p><p>Ghost, Ghast</p><p>Giant, Cloud</p><p>Gnoll Pack Lord</p><p>Gnome, Deep</p><p>Grell</p><p>Hag, Sea</p><p>Half-Ogre</p><p>Hezrou</p><p>Hook Horror</p><p>Invisible Stalker</p><p>Jackalwere</p><p>Kenku</p><p>Kuo-toa</p><p>Kuo-toa, Archpriest</p><p>Kuo-toa, Whip</p><p>Lich</p><p>Lizardfolk King/Queen</p><p>Lizardfolk Shaman</p><p>Lycanthrope, Wereboar</p><p>Magmin</p><p>Mephit, Dust</p><p>Mephit, Ice</p><p>Mephit, Magma</p><p>Mephit, Mud</p><p>Mephit, Smoke</p><p>Mephit, Steam</p><p>Oni</p><p>Ooze, Black Pudding</p><p>Orc Eye of Gruumsh</p><p>Orog</p><p>Piercer</p><p>Purple Worm</p><p>Revenant</p><p>Rust Monster</p><p>Salamander</p><p>Salamander, Fire Snake</p><p>Shadow</p><p>Shield Guardian</p><p>Sprite</p><p>Umber Hulk</p><p>Water Weird</p><p>Xorn</p><p>Yugoloth, Mezzoloth</p><p>Yugoloth, Nycaloth[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Altogether, this means that even without the Monster Manual, Basic Rules DMs have access to a total of 281 monster statblocks, about 65% of the Monster Manual! No doubt this is no big shakes to those used to (and desiring) a 3e-like OGL and SRD, which contained 419 monsters, but I was hardly expecting any free-of-cost and freely-available material in the first place, so this much being available seems tremendous. Not to mention that this list will grow as more adventures come out. Given that they seem happy to let 3rd party character generators use Basic Rules material, it almost seems like a backdoor SRD, although how much that applies to adventure supplement material is up in the air.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Iosue, post: 6595369, member: 6680772"] As a lazy way to spend a Saturday, I decided to look at just how much content was available to a DM who didn't buy any of the Core Books. This first look is at Monsters, which take up the most of the free available PDFs. Just to provide a baseline, the Monster Manual provides 429(!) distinct statblocks, including the miscellaneous creatures and NPC appendices. For reference, they are as follows (warning: this is huge and not especially readable): [sblock=Monster Manual]Aarakocra Aboleth Acolyte Angel, Deva Angel, Planetar Angel, Solar Animated Object, Animated Armor Animated Object, Flying Sword Animated Object, Rug of Smothering Ankheg Ape Ape, Giant Archmage Assassin Awakened Shrub Awakened Tree Axe Beak Azer Baboon Badger Badger, Giant Bandit Bandit Captain Banshee Basilisk Bat Bat, Giant Bat, Swarm Bear, Black Bear, Brown Bear, Polar Beetle, Giant Fire Behir Beholder Beholder, Death Tyrant Beholder, Spectator Berserker Blight, Needle Blight, Twig Blight, Vine Blink Dog Blood Hawk Boar Boar, Giant Bugbear Bugbear Chief Bulette Bullywug Cambion Camel Carrion Crawler Cat Centaur Centipede, Giant Chimera Chuul Cloaker Cockatrice Commoner Couatl Crab Crab, Giant Crawling Crawl Crocodile Crocodile, Giant Cult Fanatic Cultist Cyclops Darkmantle Death Dog Death Knight Deer Demilich Demon, Balor Demon, Barlgura Demon, Chasme Demon, Dretch Demon, Glabrezu Demon, Goristro Demon, Hezrou Demon, Manes Demon, Marilith Demon, Nalfeshnee Demon, Quasit Demon, Shadow Demon, Vrock Demon, Yochol Devil, Barbed Devil, Bearded Devil, Bone Devil, Chain Devil, Erinyes Devil, Horned Devil, Ice Devil, Imp Devil, Lemure Devil, Pit Fiend Devil, Spined Dinosaur, Allosaurus Dinosaur, Ankylosaurus Dinosaur, Plesiosaurus Dinosaur, Pteranodon Dinosaur, Triceratops Dinosaur, Tyrannosaurus Rex Displacer Beast Dog, Mastiff Doppelganger Dracolich, Adult Blue Dragon Turtle Dragon, Adult Black Dragon, Adult Blue Dragon, Adult Brass Dragon, Adult Bronze Dragon, Adult Copper Dragon, Adult Gold Dragon, Adult Green Dragon, Adult Red Dragon, Adult Silver Dragon, Adult White Dragon, Ancient Black Dragon, Ancient Blue Dragon, Ancient Brass Dragon, Ancient Bronze Dragon, Ancient Copper Dragon, Ancient Gold Dragon, Ancient Green Dragon, Ancient Red Dragon, Ancient Silver Dragon, Ancient White Dragon, Wyrmling Black Dragon, Wyrmling Blue Dragon, Wyrmling Brass Dragon, Wyrmling Bronze Dragon, Wyrmling Copper Dragon, Wyrmling Gold Dragon, Wyrmling Green Dragon, Wyrmling Red Dragon, Wyrmling Silver Dragon, Wyrmling White Dragon, Young Black Dragon, Young Blue Dragon, Young Brass Dragon, Young Bronze Dragon, Young Copper Dragon, Young Gold Dragon, Young Green Dragon, Young Red Dragon, Young Red Shadow Dragon, Young Silver Dragon, Young White Drider Druid Dryad Duergar Eagle Eagle, Giant Elemental, Air Elemental, Earth Elemental, Fire Elemental, Water Elephant Elf, Drow Elf, Drow Elite Warrior Elf, Drow Mage Elf, Drow Priestess of Lolth Elk Elk, Giant Empyrean Ettercap Ettin Fairie Dragon Flameskull Flumph Fomorian Frog Frog, Giant Fungi, Gas Spore Fungi, Shrieker Fungi, Violet Galeb Duhr Gargoyle Genie, Dao Genie, Djinni Genie, Efreeti Genie, Marid Ghost Ghost, Ghast Ghoul Giant, Cloud Giant, Fire Giant, Frost Giant, Hill Giant, Stone Giant, Storm Gibbering Mouther Githyank Knight Githyanki Warrior Githzerai Monk Githzerai Zerth Gladiator Gnoll Gnoll Fang of Yeenoghu Gnoll Pack Lord Gnome, Deep Goat Goat, Giant Goblin Goblin Boss Golem, Clay Golem, Flesh Golem, Iron Golem, Stone Gorgon Grell Grick Grick Alpha Griffon Grimlock Guard Hag, Green Hag, Night Hag, Sea Half-Dragon Half-Ogre Harpy Hawk Hell Hound Helmed Horror Hippogriff Hobgoblin Hobgoblin Captain Hobgoblin Warlord Homunculus Hook Horror Horse, Draft Horse, Pony Horse, Riding Horse, War Hydra Hyena Hyena, Giant Insect, Swarm Intellect Devourer Invisible Stalker Jackal Jackalwere Kenku Knight Kobold Kobold, Winged Kraken Kuo-toa Kuo-toa Archpriest Kuo-toa Whip Lamia Lich Lion Lizard Lizard, Giant Lizardfolk Lizardfolk King/Queen Lizardfolk Shaman Lycanthrope, Werebear Lycanthrope, Wereboar Lycanthrope, Wererat Lycanthrope, Weretiger Lycanthrope, Werewolf Mage Magmin Mammoth Manticore Medusa Mephin, Mud Mephint, Smoke Mephit, Dust Mephit, Ice Mephit, Magma Mephit, Steam Merfolk Merrow Mimi Mind Flayer Minotaur Modron, Duodrone Modron, Monodrone Modron, Pentadrone Modron, Quadrone Modron, Tridrone Mule Mummy Mummy Lord Myconid Adult Myconid Sovereign Myconid Sprout Myconid, Quaggoth Spore Servant Naga, Bone Naga, Guardian Naga, Spirit Nightmare Noble Nothic Octopus Octopus, Giant Ogre Oni Ooze, Black Pudding Ooze, Gelatinous Cube Ooze, Gray Ooze, Ochre Jelly Orc Orc Eye of Gruumsh Orc War Chief Orog Otyugh Owl Owl, Giant Owlbear Panther Pegasus Peryton Piercer Pixie Priest Pseudodragon Purple Worm Quaggoth Quipper Quipper, Swarm Rakshasa Rat Rat, Giant Rat, Swarm Raven Raven, Swarm Remorhaz Remorhaz, Young Revenant Rhinoceros Roc Roper Rust Monster Sahuagin Sahuagin Baron Sahuagin Priestess Salamander Salamander, Fire Snake Satyr Scarecrow Scorpion Scorpion, Giant Scout Sea Horse Sea Horse, Giant Shadow Shambling Mound Shark, Giant Shark, Hunter Shark, Reef Shield Guardian Skeleton Skeleton, Minotaur Skeleton, Warhorse Slaad, Blue Slaad, Death Slaad, Gray Slaad, Green Slaad, Red Slaad, Tadpole Snake, Constrictor Snake, Flying Snake, Giant Constrictor Snake, Giant Poisonous Snake, Poisonous Snake, Poisonous Swarm Specter Sphinx, Androsphinx Sphinx, Gynosphinx Spider Spider, Giant Spider, Giant Wolf Spider, Phase Sprite Spy Stirge Succubus/Incubus Tarrasque Thri-keen Thug Tiger Tiger, Saber-toothed Toad, Giant Treant Tribal Warrior Troglodyte Troll Umber Hulk Unicorn Vampire Vampire Spawn Veteran Vulture Vulture, Giant Wasp, Giant Water Weird Weasel Weasel, Giant Whale, Killer Wight Will-o'-Wisp Wolf Wolf Wolf, Dire Wolf, Winter Wolf, Worg Wraith Wyvern Xorn Yeti Yeti, Abominable Yuan-ti, Abomination Yuan-ti, Malison Yuan-ti, Pureblood Yugoloth, Arcanaloth Yugoloth, Mezzoloth Yugoloth, Nycaloth Yugoloth, Ultroloth Zombie Zombie Beholder Zombie Ogre[/sblock] So, starting with the Basic rules, it contains 169 statblocks, or about 40% of the Monster Manual. It lacks some of the more obscure (aboleth, galeb duhr) and also some of the more well-known (beholder, mindflayer). Spectators do show up as a kind of poor man's Beholder. Angels, Devils, and Demons are entirely absent, as are metallic dragons. Only an adult red and a young green represent chromatic dragons. Just about any monster that has multiple versions or statblocks in the MM finds itself stripped down to basics in the Basic Rules. What it lacks in Devils and Demons it makes up with Dinosaurs (fully represented) and Giant animals. It feels plain to me that they really looked to B/X when choosing their selection. You could practically play B2 and X1 with these rules. Here's the list for reference: [sblock=Basic Rules]Acolyte Animated Object, Animated Armor Ape Ape, Giant Awakened Shrub Awakened Tree Axe Beak Baboon Badger Badger, Giant Bandit Banshee Basilisk Bat Bat, Giant Bat, Swarm Bear, Black Bear, Brown Bear, Polar Beetle, Giant Fire Beholder, Spectator Berserker Blight, Twig Blink Dog Blood Hawk Boar Boar, Giant Bugbear Camel Cat Centaur Centipede, Giant Chimera Cockatrice Commoner Crab Crab, Giant Crocodile Crocodile, Giant Cultist Cyclops Death Dog Deer Dinosaur, Allosaurus Dinosaur, Ankylosaurus Dinosaur, Plesiosaurus Dinosaur, Pteranodon Dinosaur, Triceratops Dinosaur, Tyrannosaurus Rex Dog, Mastiff Doppelganger Dragon, Adult Red Dragon, Young Green Eagle Eagle, Giant Elemental, Air Elemental, Earth Elemental, Fire Elemental, Water Elephant Elk Elk, Giant Fire Giant Flameskull Flying Sword Frog Frog, Giant Gargoyle Ghost Ghoul Giant, Frost Giant, Hill Gnoll Goat Goat, Giant Goblin Golem, Flesh Golem, Stone Grick Griffon Guard Harpy Hawk Hell Hound Hippogriff Hobgoblin Horse, Draft Horse, Pony Horse, Riding Horse, War Hydra Hyena Hyena, Giant Insect, Swarm Jackal Knight Kobold Lion Lizard Lizard, Giant Lizardfolk Lycanthrope, Werewolf Mage Mammoth Manticore Medusa Merfolk Minotaur Mule Mummy Nothic Octopus Octopus, Giant Ogre Ooze, Ochre Jelly Orc Owl Owl, Giant Owlbear Panther Pegasus Priest Quipper Quipper, Swarm Rat Rat, Giant Rat, Swarm Raven Raven, Swarm Rhinoceros Satyr Scorpion Scorpion, Giant Sea Horse Sea Horse, Giant Shark, Giant Shark, Hunter Shark, Reef Skeleton Snake, Constrictor Snake, Flying Snake, Giant Constrictor Snake, Giant Poisonous Snake, Poisonous Snake, Poisonous Swarm Spider Spider, Giant Spider, Giant Wolf Spider, Phase Stirge Thug Tiger Tiger, Saber-toothed Toad, Giant Troll Vulture Vulture, Giant Wasp, Giant Weasel Weasel, Giant Whale, Killer Wight Wolf Wolf, Dire Wolf, Winter Wolf, Worg Wyvern Yeti Zombie[/sblock] Hoard of the Dragon Queen has 25 monsters new to the Basic Rules and Rise of Tiamat has 22, for a total of 47. Each has an almost equal number of monsters that are already included in the Basic Rules. The supplements are geared not simply for those using the Basic Rules, but for those running the game with, say, just PHBs. Basically, if you have the adventure book and the PDF, all you need is a source for characters, be that the Basic Rules or the PHB. The DM himself needs nothing else. I find this a fascinating strategy. Between Hoard and Rise, a DM armed with only the Basic Rules now has Adult versions of Red, Blue, White, and Green Dragons, and Hill, Frost, and Stone Giants. Devils make an appearance, with the Barbed, Bearded, and Bone Devils showing up in Rise of Tiamat. Some of the B/X classics, like Vampires, Specters, and Wraiths are now available. However, much of the Dungeon Cleaning Crew are still unaccounted for, with only Gray Ooze and Ochre Jelly available. Hobgoblins get their Captains, and all versions of the Yuan-ti appear. [sblock=Tyranny of Dragons]Hoard Animated Object, Rug of Smothering Assassin Bullywug Dragon, Adult Blue Dragon, Adult White Ettercap Fungi, Violet Giant, Stone Helmed Horror Hobgoblin Captain Kobold, Winged Ooze, Gray Otyugh Peryton Roper Shambling Mound Specter Spy Troglodyte Vampire Vampire Spawn Veteran Will-o'-Wisp Yuan-ti Malison Yuan-ti, Pureblood Rise Chuul Cult Fantatic Cyclops Devil, Barbed Devil, Bearded Devil, Bone Dragon, Adult Green Druid Ettin Genie, Dao Genie, Efreeti Gladiator Golem, Clay Gorgon Half-Red Dragon Veteran Merrow Mummy Lord Pseudodragon Succubus Tribal Warrior Wraith Yuan-ti Abomination[/sblock] Princes of the Apocalypse is huge. It has 64 monsters new to the Basic Rules. Now the Basic DM has Adult versions of all the Chromatic Dragons, and one metallic dragon: the Adult Bronze. As Tyranny of Dragons introduced Devils, Princes introduced Demons: Barlgura, Shadow, and Vrock. Black Pudding joins the DCC. Some variant Orcs also appear, as do Umber Hulks. A selection of Kuo-toa show up, as well as numerous elemental-themed monsters. [sblock=Princes of the Apocalypse]Aarakocra Aboleth Ankheg Azer Bandit Captain Bulette Cloaker Crawling Claw Darkmantle Demon, Barlgura Demon, Shadow Demon, Vrock Dragon Turtle Dragon, Adult Black Dragon, Adult Bronze Dragon, Young Red Drow Mage Duergar Galeb Duhr Genie, Djinni Ghost, Ghast Giant, Cloud Gnoll Pack Lord Gnome, Deep Grell Hag, Sea Half-Ogre Hezrou Hook Horror Invisible Stalker Jackalwere Kenku Kuo-toa Kuo-toa, Archpriest Kuo-toa, Whip Lich Lizardfolk King/Queen Lizardfolk Shaman Lycanthrope, Wereboar Magmin Mephit, Dust Mephit, Ice Mephit, Magma Mephit, Mud Mephit, Smoke Mephit, Steam Oni Ooze, Black Pudding Orc Eye of Gruumsh Orog Piercer Purple Worm Revenant Rust Monster Salamander Salamander, Fire Snake Shadow Shield Guardian Sprite Umber Hulk Water Weird Xorn Yugoloth, Mezzoloth Yugoloth, Nycaloth[/sblock] Altogether, this means that even without the Monster Manual, Basic Rules DMs have access to a total of 281 monster statblocks, about 65% of the Monster Manual! No doubt this is no big shakes to those used to (and desiring) a 3e-like OGL and SRD, which contained 419 monsters, but I was hardly expecting any free-of-cost and freely-available material in the first place, so this much being available seems tremendous. Not to mention that this list will grow as more adventures come out. Given that they seem happy to let 3rd party character generators use Basic Rules material, it almost seems like a backdoor SRD, although how much that applies to adventure supplement material is up in the air. [/QUOTE]
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