D&D 5E What class levels have you given monsters in encounters, to give them that extra edge?

Hi all! So I'm crafting a one-shot around a PC group that is themed around superheroes. Essentially, the PCs will be higher-level and have names like "Captain Fantastic," and "Red Lightning" that kind of stuff.

But of course, every group of super heroes needs some good villains, so I've been experiencing with taking some pretty classic monsters and giving them things you really shouldn't expect them to have, like a Hobgoblin Warlord with invulnerability armor, or my latest creation, an Alhoon with 4 levels of barbarian. My "Dr. Tentaculous" is essentially a Mind Flayer "Batman Bane."

So my question is, when have you taken monsters and given them class levels that people may not expect? Any combinations you think have really put your PCs on their toes? Feel free to add magic items as well.

If your confused about what I'm referring to, the DMG has rules for giving "PC levels" of a class as added levels to a monster's statblock.

(My Mind Flayer Barbarian; he's trained more than his mind!)

Two ideas I've had.

1. Dragon with Sorcerer levels. Kinda simple, but you can still have a lot of fun with it. For example, with a Red Dragon, you can double down and make it a Red Dragon sorcerer, have a bit of with fun and make it a White Dragon sorcerer (party runs in with a bunch of fire resistance, and they get blasted by a Cone of Cold). You can also go with non-Dragon sorcerer like a Phoenix Sorcerer from that old UA and have it call itself an "Incarnation of Fire" or something (I would also give it the fire aura thing the Balor has, because that fits and could be helpful). Even without a gimmick, you could just go "Okay so the dragon's turn starts, it casts Hold Person 5th level, quickens it, then flies over here to breath over all of you, all who failed the Hold Person save take full damage."

2.Pit Demon with Conquest Paladin levels. Fits, and Fear Aura plus Aura of Conquest equals lul.

Basic Bandit with Tavern Brawler feat. Or a Fighter's Second Wind. Or Action Surge. (Not all of them at once!). You get an excuse to learn the grappling rules, a deep well of HP, or a dude who brings the pain to a fight. In all cases, set up a roadblock / ambush because that is what bandits do ... but this guy is the bait - he looks "all beat up" - to attract would-be Good Samaritans (like PCs).

P.S. When I ran Tiamat, instead of using the listed adult dragon stats for Arauthator, I used the ancient dragon stats. It made for an epic fight, the high point of our (truncated) campaign.

11 levels.

None levels. Ain't nobody got time for that.

Just give the monster the abilities you want it to have. Bump up hit points, saves, AC, damage, etc, etc.

It's dangerous to go alone, take this!

Seriously though, Giffyglyphs's stuff is amazing. I love Darker Dungeons but his Monster Maker is probably more universally useful. It has changed the way I customize monster. I recently ran a boss fight for a solo hag against a party of 4. It was epic.

GlassJaw said:

Seriously though, Giffyglyphs's stuff is amazing. I love Darker Dungeons but his Monster Maker is probably more universally useful. It has changed the way I customize monster. I recently ran a boss fight for a solo hag against a part of 4. It was epic.

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Wow, thanks for that link!

I haven’t ever given levels to a monster, but I give class abilities as appropriate.

My dragons always have a smattering of spells. I usually give a second level school ability to any wizard NPC. An enemy that mixes sword and spell will get something from one of the various gish PC options. Scouts might get either sneak attack or hunter’s mark.

I especially like to give bonus action stuff, and reaction abilities.

I've done the sorcerer level for dragons myself. Subtle spelled counterspell so I didn't have to use the legendary saves and some illusion/buffs.

I've also given barbarian levels to various monsters, primarily thug types like orcs, ogres and hill giants.

But a lot of times I'll just reskin an existing monster or up them using the guidelines from the DMG and grab bits and pieces from other monsters. No need to be overly concerned about building monsters "properly" although I do try to follow the CR guidelines.

Action surge can transform anything into a scary monster.

Same as GlassJaw.

If I want a creature to have an ability I just write it down.

There is 0 need to work out what a class level would be on a creature.