D&D 5E Better Beasts?

[doctorbadwolf]

An angry alpha male chimpanzee is far more powerful than any human, and has huge teeth. Behold the furious ape.

I’d give it a slam attack as well, and put a grapple in its attack action.

 

[SkidAce]

I had a Rock Climbing Rattlesnake once. Twice the size, and had a climb speed on even near vertical cliff faces. Great for chasing PC that are trying to mountain climb.

There was also a Tyranthraxus Spider. Very small, hard to hit, high AC. And a incredible jump range (like 20 feet) so it could jump from brush onto PCs. (deadly poison, scaled to kill most 0 level NPCs, hence the deadly rep, but still a threat up to 3rd levels)

I think a person on these forums inspired me to create a very flat "Bookscorpion". Standard scorpian, but you did not expect it inside your old book.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I don't know why but for some reason, I like that idea A LOT!

Confession time: I once gave barbarian levels to a pony.

 

[Weiley31]

Confession time: I once gave barbarian levels to a pony.

That would explain the one Pinkie Pie clip I saw.

 

[Minigiant]

There's an issue with beasts

Real beasts are boring on purpose

Real animals have what I call "palette swap" issues. Real animals are not interesting in combat. They are mostlyeither tough brutes, fast brutes, strong brutes, flying brutes, swimming brutes, or brutes with extra attacks. They are much like the same 4e-style stat block leveled up or down and given a level and given an movement quirk or extra senses. 3 versions of the same bears, canines, raptors, and felines.

That being said, there are somethings you can still do. There are lesser used animal families like weasels, hippos, skunks, mongoose, and large lizards that are not heavily used.

 

[jayoungr]

SO, what simple traits would you add, and what simple changes would you make, to make using beasts more interesting?

Save proficiencies!

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Based on feedback, I have toned down the furious ape's superstrength and given it a slam and a grapple attack.

 

[dave2008]

Great White Shark Drawing by stevegoad

Giant Shark	Challenge 6
Huge beast, unaligned	2,300 XP

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 126 (11d12 + 55; bloodied 63)
Speed 0 ft., swim 120 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
22 (+6)	11 (+0)	21 (+5)	1 (-5)	10 (+0)	5 (-3)

Saving Throws Str +9, Con +8
Skills Athletics +9, Perception +3, Stealth +3
Senses Blindsight 60 ft., Passive Perception 13
Languages --
Proficiency Bonus +3 Maneuver DC 17

Aquatic. The shark has advantage on attacks against creatures in water that do not have a swim speed. Additionally, while submerged in water it has a Dexterity of 16 (+3) and gains a +6 bonus to Dexterity saving throws.

Blood Frenzy. The shark has advantage on melee attack rolls against any creature that doesn't have all its hit points.

Water Breathing. The shark can breathe only underwater.

ACTIONS
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (3d10 + 6) piercing damage. If this attack is not made after a charge, the target is also grappled. While the shark has a creature grappled if cannot make a bit attack against another target. If the shark moves at least 20 feet straight toward the target immediately before the hit, the target takes an extra 16 (3d10) piercing damage.

Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target not grappled by the shark. Hit: 18 (3d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage.

REACTIONS
Chomp. If a creature ends its turn grappled by the shark, the shark can make a bite attack with advantage against the target.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Save proficiencies!

That's one of the things I did on all of mine.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Save proficiencies!

And skills, for sure!