D&D 5E Better Beasts?

[doctorbadwolf]

Let's build some better beasties for our 5e games!

The beasts, especially the basic ones in the phb, are just...really, dreadfully, bland.

SO, what simple traits would you add, and what simple changes would you make, to make using beasts more interesting?

 

[Xeviat]

Ooooooh.

First off, I'd make sure that every beast has a special combat feature, like charge/pounce/trample(the same as charge really)/prone on bite/grappled or restrained on bite/or at least venom. The sharks should have charge, for instance.

I'd also do a quick little mass to HD/HP formula to see if some beasts deserve to be more challenging.

I'd make sure they accurately fit their CR (giant venomous snake is way above CR 1/4, wolf is a bit above CR 1/4).

Lastly, I'd stop pretending that the monster stats are valid for PCs and make separate (but comparable) stats for Ranger companions, and then get off my butt and finish my variant druid wildshape rules.

I'm totally down to help.

 

[bedir than]

I want more fantasy beasts. The Blood Hawk, Dire Wolf, those magic cows - they need friends.

EVERY statted real world animal needs an alt form and we need that many beasts that are unnatural, but not monstrosities.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

You might try giving some beasts barbarian class levels.

 

[Xeviat]

I want more fantasy beasts. The Blood Hawk, Dire Wolf, those magic cows - they need friends.

EVERY statted real world animal needs an alt form and we need that many beasts that are unnatural, but not monstrosities.

This is one weird place where 3E had an advantage, with the advancement rules for most monsters.

But yes, more fantasy beasts. A better axe beak that can be a chocobo. Make the griffin and hypogriffs beasts. There's lots of room, but it's late and my brain is turning off.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I like both of your ideas so far! I gotta stop making threads late in the day.

Let’s work on these tomorrow!

 

[CubicsRube]

Special attacks, as well as features that activate at bloodied/half hp.

I'm reading through forbidden lands right now and I'm really digging the monster attack tables.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I adapted the sidekick rules to make a dog who can level up. I will see if I can find it.

Found it. It gets keen hearing and smell at level 1, Pack Tactics at level 2, and as per warrior sidekick after that. The trip attack should have "once per round" added.

 

[Pauln6]

One of my friends created animal companion levelling up rules that allowed choosing from a suite of abilities including skills, extra hit dice, increased physical stats, a boost to intelligence, help as a bonus action, and some combat combos.

 

[dregntael]

I adapted the sidekick rules to make a dog who can level up. I will see if I can find it.

Found it. It gets keen hearing and smell at level 1, Pack Tactics at level 2, and as per warrior sidekick after that. The trip attack should have "once per round" added.

There's a cool supplement on the DM's guild that gives sidekick statblocks for all kinds of animals: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/293883/Animal-Sidekicks I'm hoping to use it in one of my games in the future.