D&D General What's the weirdest old edition material have you stuck in your 5e game lately?

[the Jester]

As the title says. Could be a spell, magic item, monster, npc, adventure, whatever- what is the weirdest piece of "old D&D" that you've put in the mixer with your "new D&D" in recent memory?

For me, it's cerebral parasites. They were in the 1e Monster Manual, in the 2e Complete Psion's Handbook, in the 3e Expanded Psionics Handbook (I believe), but haven't appeared again since. I converted them into basically a psionic infestation, treating them more or less like a disease.

 

[el-remmen]

I don't know about "weird" but I do grandfather certain older versions of certain spells and abilities when connected to a monster with a particular thematic feel or role to play in an adventure.

So for example, a creature with the 5E Dominate Person spell, which is part of their usual MO in previous editions, can use it however makes sense for the scenario based on the old "Domination" version.

 

[Stormonu]

I guess for me that would be the Greenwood Ranger kit (as a subclass). Basically a ranger that turns into a treant.

 

[J-H]

I used Dread Blossom Swarms in my last session.

 

[Sacrosanct]

Plant monsters from Castle Amber (amber blossom, crab grass, vampire roses)

Then some things no so uncommon, like rot grubs and green slime from 1e (way more fearful than the 5e versions)

 

[jgsugden]

I steal from prior editions a lot. Last week an ogre mage (I tailor the spells for the ogre mage and similar creatures) used Wraithform and Contagion on the PCs, both spells updated versions of 2E spells. I also threw both an Auromvorax and Obliviax (Memory Moss) at PCs recently as well.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

EX1 and 2.

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.

 

[Marc_C]

The weird factions of strange people who live in the pyramid of B4 The Lost City. I put them in very remote location, a lost surface walled city. Players were fascinated by all their antics and in-fighting.

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

I brought in a bunch from Savage Coast. So I’d say … Cayma and Enduk as a player playable species. Winged minotaurs and 2’ tall lizard tinkers. (I did upscale Cayma to 2’ tall)

 

[Professor Murder]

Aurora's Whole Realms Catalog. Will use it until it disintegrates or they release a new edition.