D&D 5E 5e Hardcore: Monster Manual

dave2008 · Jan 28, 2017

HUMANOIDS:

Aarakocra Master-at-Arms (CR 5):
by dave2008
Aarakocra Guard (CR 1):
by dave2008
Aarakocra Wind Monk (CR 4):
by dave2008

Azer Commander (CR 5)
by dave2008
Azer Warrior (CR 2)
by dave2008
Azer Archer (CR 2)
by dave2008
Azer Assassin (CR 1)
by dave2008
Azer Mage (CR 2)
by dave2008
Azer Priest (CR 2)
by dave2008

Bugbear Berserker (CR 4)
by dave2008
Bugbear Thief (CR 3)
by dave2008
Bugbear Assassin (CR 4)
by dave2008

Spell Weaver (CR 10):
by dave2008

dave2008 · Jan 28, 2017

MONSTROSITIES:

Ankheg Queen (CR 6):
by dave2008
Ankheg Soldier (CR 4):
by dave2008
Ankheg Drone (CR 1):
by dave2008
Ankheg Broodling (CR 1/4):
by dave2008

Astral Abomination (CR 21, elite):
by dave2008

Basilisk, Greater (CR 4, elite)
by dave2008
Dracolisk (CR 6, elite)
by dave2008

Behir Stormbringer (CR 11, elite)
by dave2008

Elder Chimera (CR 8)
by dave2008
Gorgimera (CR 9, elite)
by dave2008

Gray Render (CR 10, elite):
by dave2008

Isperia, Supreme Judge (CR 21, elite)
by dave2008

Primordial Tarrasque (CR 30, elite):
by dave2008

Yuan-Ti Abomination Royal Guard (CR 10:
by dave2008
Yuan-Ti Anathema Sovereign (CR 15, elite):
by dave2008

dave2008 · Jan 28, 2017

OOZES:

More to come!

dave2008 · Jan 28, 2017

PLANT:

Battlebriar (CR 6, elite)
by dave2008
Battlebriar Earthrager (CR 15, elite)
by dave2008

dave2008 · Jan 28, 2017

UNDEAD:

Banelich (CR 16, elite)
by dave2008

Barrow Giant (CR 16):
by dave2008

CapnZapp · Jan 29, 2017

"Hello. I am CapnZapp and I approve this thread."

Helldritch · Jan 29, 2017

Good idea. But why make it soooo long?
Most monsters are fine. Only solo ones are a bit lacking if they are the only encounter of the day.
Again here are the things I am doing and it works out quite fine. Try it.
Single encounter big bad guys
Add 1 feat/ASI per 4 CR (save the first four)
Add 1 legendary action per PC above 4.
Multiply HP by 1 +0.25 per PC above 4.
Add 1.5 AC (round up) per PC above 4.

Here is a modified lich my players defeated at 17th level in a previous campaing.

AC: 17 (natural armor + dex) Now 23 (+1.5 AC x 2 for players number, Staff of power and +1 ring. It could go up to 25 for one attack because of the shield guardian and I am not counting shield. Since shield was an at will power, it became and AC 28 and 30 for one attack)
HP: 135 (18d8 + 54) Now 238 for a 1.5 multiplyer for number of players and tough feat (+36hp).
Spd: 30' (unchanged)
Stats: Unchanged (decided to use feats instead...)
Added: Warcaster, Elemental Adept Fire (that one was a surprise for my players), Tough.
Mage feature added: Shield and Mirror image at will (I counted that one as a feat)
Spell list was changed to reflect the added mage feature and feats.
Cantrip: Removed prestigiditation and added Fire Bolt. Rose number of cantrip to four and added Green Flame blade
Level 1: Removed shield and added disguise self (Lich used it to appear human as she did in her life.)
Level 2: Removed Mirror image and added Misty step instead.

Legendary action Rose to 5 (again 6 players)

Lich was also using Staff Of Power And a Shield Guardian.

Leatherhead · Jan 29, 2017

I've been meaning to ask, do you use a program to help you, or do you manually adjust your monsters with your tables?

dave2008 · Jan 29, 2017

Leatherhead said:
I've been meaning to ask, do you use a program to help you, or do you manually adjust your monsters with your tables?

I have a spreadsheet that I use to help calculate DPR and CR. It is not 100% complete for the Advanced monsters, but I should probably add it to the downloads section. Thank you for reminding me!

dave2008 · Jan 29, 2017

Helldritch said:
Good idea. But why make it soooo long?

What is so long, the OP? If so, I guess I felt it was necessary to explain the purpose of this thread the best that I could. I actually plan to add more info at some time!

Helldritch said:
Most monsters are fine. Only solo ones are a bit lacking if they are the only encounter of the day.

Well maybe this thread isn't for you. This is really for groups where the standard monsters are decidedly not OK. There are several on these forums to whom this applies.

Helldritch said:
Again here are the things I am doing and it works out quite fine. Try it.
Single encounter big bad guys
Add 1 feat/ASI per 4 CR (save the first four)
Add 1 legendary action per PC above 4.
Multiply HP by 1 +0.25 per PC above 4.
Add 1.5 AC (round up) per PC above 4.

Those are all good suggestions - thank you! However, I am looking to adjust more than just the big bads, so I would apply these concepts more generally.

Helldritch said:
Here is a modified lich my players defeated at 17th level in a previous campaing.

AC: 17 (natural armor + dex) Now 23 (+1.5 AC x 2 for players number, Staff of power and +1 ring. It could go up to 25 for one attack because of the shield guardian and I am not counting shield. Since shield was an at will power, it became and AC 28 and 30 for one attack)
HP: 135 (18d8 + 54) Now 238 for a 1.5 multiplyer for number of players and tough feat (+36hp).
Spd: 30' (unchanged)
Stats: Unchanged (decided to use feats instead...)
Added: Warcaster, Elemental Adept Fire (that one was a surprise for my players), Tough.
Mage feature added: Shield and Mirror image at will (I counted that one as a feat)
Spell list was changed to reflect the added mage feature and feats.
Cantrip: Removed prestigiditation and added Fire Bolt. Rose number of cantrip to four and added Green Flame blade
Level 1: Removed shield and added disguise self (Lich used it to appear human as she did in her life.)
Level 2: Removed Mirror image and added Misty step instead.

Legendary action Rose to 5 (again 6 players)

Lich was also using Staff Of Power And a Shield Guardian.

Nice additions, I have already posted an Epic Update of the Lich, but I will get to an AD&D revision so this is very helpful. I will probably add more HP and lessen the AC has it is usually more fun to hit than miss