D&D 5E 60+ monsters and 20+ spell in free official Hoard of the Dragon Queen supplement

[Morrus]

Plenty of useful material, eve for those who just have the Basic rules or the Starter Set.

http://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/hoard-dragon-queen

 

[Kinak]

This is a really nice PDF. I feel like it gives a good look at the type of monsters we can expect from 5e.

Which is nice. I'd really been looking forward to digging into the monsters.

A couple of notes:
Didn't they change the kobold advantage on swarming? I remember that being a mess in the first packet.

The legendary monsters are an interesting answer to PC action economy. I'm curious why perception checks are such a thing with them. For illusions?

I was on the fence about spells in enemy stat blocks, but the mage unsold me. At least two reactions and a bonus action in a spell list with no indication? Not cool.

Cheers!
Kinak

 

[KarinsDad]

I was on the fence about spells in enemy stat blocks, but the mage unsold me. At least two reactions and a bonus action in a spell list with no indication? Not cool.

I get what you are saying.

I do think, though, that for many DMs, it will be a while before their PCs start facing off against 9th level Mages.

I'm hoping that the electronic tools will be in place by then.

And, I am probably planning on buying the Spellbook cards for my players. I might get an extra copy for myself.

 

[Sir Brennen]

The legendary monsters are an interesting answer to PC action economy. I'm curious why perception checks are such a thing with them. For illusions?

For invisible tricksy hobbits hiding in their hoard of gold.

 

[Branduil]

Elk do 3d6+3 damage on a charge as a CR 1/4 creature. That seems kind of insane.

 

[gyor]

And knocks prone. I also believe its a find steed Paladin mount choice.

 

[gyor]

Imagine the Elk benifitting from Crusader's Mantle, adding 1d8 radiant damage to thier Charge/ram attack. Oh and you might beable to use your smite spells on your mounts attacks.

 

[TarionzCousin]

And knocks prone. I also believe its a find steed Paladin mount choice.

Imagine the Elk benifitting from Crusader's Mantle, adding 1d8 radiant damage to thier Charge/ram attack. Oh and you might beable to use your smite spells on your mounts attacks.

We wanted mules in 5E; we got elk instead.

Close enough?

 

[Kinak]

I get what you are saying.

I do think, though, that for many DMs, it will be a while before their PCs start facing off against 9th level Mages.

I'm hoping that the electronic tools will be in place by then.

True, people will have a chance to get used to it over time.

But even the acolyte has... *checks list* *compares with Basic Rules* Sanctuary and the priest has... *checks Basic Rules again* also has Spiritual Weapon as bonus actions, along with its explicit bonus action. And Spiritual Weapon grants a new bonus action for its duration, which I don't think prohibits normal spellcasting like the original casting of Spiritual Weapon or Sanctuary does.

I certainly don't have any objections to monsters having bonus actions, reactions, or legendary actions. But slipping them into spell lists is an incredibly opaque way to do that.

And, I am probably planning on buying the Spellbook cards for my players. I might get an extra copy for myself.

That should help out. Having the cards out would certainly make it easy to sort out which costs what type of action, along with the results for caster level on cantrips and spending higher slots on everything else.

Cheers!
Kinak

 

[Grazzt]

We wanted mules in 5E; we got elk instead.

Close enough?

Mule is in the back of the PHB.