Level Up (A5E) Monster preview thread!

[Steampunkette]

Oh ho ho hoooo!

Love the monster signs, here. Great way to give a warning of what's coming without giving the game away.

 

[Morrus]

I mentioned this earlier, but I really love how you put in all the flavor stuff. Great job Morrus.

I can’t take any credit for that!

 

[Sacrosanct]

I can’t take any credit for that!

Well, whoever came up with that idea deserves a ton of credit then

 

[Morrus]

Well, whoever came up with that idea deserves a ton of credit then

Paul Hughes of the Blog of Holding is masterminding the Monstrous Menagerie — with a team of awesome designers and artists, of course! I’m especially fond of Cassandra MacDonald’s work on dragons.

 

[Faolyn]

Oh hey, I just noticed that you're including the maneuver DC in the statblock. Nice!

Does this mean we're expected to give monsters combat maneuvers?

 

[Composer99]

This stuff really does fill in the gaps in the classic Monster Manual.

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Oh hey, I just noticed that you're including the maneuver DC in the statblock. Nice!

Does this mean we're expected to give monsters combat maneuvers?

If memory serves, the "simple" maneuvers (grappling, shoving, etc.) are usable by any creature, so anytime a monster uses such a maneuver its saving throw DC would come into play.

I expect if a monster is meant to have inherent use of higher-tier maneuvers, they'll be present in its statblock.

 

[Morrus]

If memory serves, the "simple" maneuvers (grappling, shoving, etc.) are usable by any creature, so anytime a monster uses such a maneuver its saving throw DC would come into play.

I expect if a monster is meant to have inherent use of higher-tier maneuvers, they'll be present in its statblock.

Spot on!

 

[Faolyn]

If memory serves, the "simple" maneuvers (grappling, shoving, etc.) are usable by any creature, so anytime a monster uses such a maneuver its saving throw DC would come into play.

I expect if a monster is meant to have inherent use of higher-tier maneuvers, they'll be present in its statblock.

Completely forgot about those. I think I'll need to make myself a cheat sheet for the next time I'm in the DM seat. Thanks for the reminder!

Edit: @Morrus, I'd like to put in a request: if you guys haven't done this already, maybe you can put the list of basic maneuvers (or at least a reference to them) in the MM. Just so forgetful people like me will have that extra reminder.

 

[Stalker0]

So once again with the Behir, we see LUs philosophy of not necessarily just beefing up monsters, but shifting their abilities different ways. Comparing to the original behir (OG Behir vs LU Behir)

• Slightly stronger physical stats and higher AC vs improved mental stats, better general saves and no major intelligence weakness.
• Swallow allows behir a save when its takes 30 damage vs Vomit is automatic
• Stronger breath vs 1 free breath when bloodied and hit be melee attack.
• Grapple 1 target with constrict (and much higher damage) vs grapple 2. Large creatures only vs any size creature (and slightly stronger grapple).
• Better stealth vs more speed and ability to move through 5 ft tunnels.

So in general, a party should have an easier time against the LU behir at the beginning. It is easier to hit, and they will take less damage overall from its attacks. But as the fight goes on, this Behir does not have quite so obvious weaknesses to exploit, it can grapple 2 creatures which can reduce the party, and of course the real whammy, the free surprise breath which may creature a big source of tension in the fight.

I actually think the biggest new benefit is the Serpentine movement. One of your standard dnd tactics is to go into small spaces the really big creatures can't get you, and then send fire through the tunnel to the big bad. This does not work against the LU behir, who can just move right on in, which of course sets up a line effect nicely. Players who are used to the OG behir may be in for a nasty surprise when that first happens!

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

Great previews, thank you!