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Message: <blockquote data-quote="D+1" data-source="post: 1532392" data-attributes="member: 13654">Agreed.  Just to clarify my own position:  I left off monsters like orcs, ogres, etc. because even though they are everywhere they aren't particularly unique.  Just variations on humanoids that you'd find in any fantasy RPG under a dozen different names.  The point about orcs is a good example - they aren't even consistent from one version to another so how can you call them iconic even if they are universally found in D&D games?  It's why I don't actually cite Drow as being iconic (at least not to me), because though they have a special place in D&D history and so on, the general concept as just another variation on an evil humanoid just doesn't say "iconic" to me.I think "Iconic" has to mean that it stands as an example of monsters you find in D&D, should be found somewhat commonly in D&D, it has to be fairly unique to D&D (thus no generic mythological creatures like dragons or griffons are going to qualify as iconic, nor goblins, kobolds, ogres, nor any variations on a theme of dwarves, elves, halflings, gnomes...), and preferrably not even derived from other sources.  It's why beholders, mind flayers, etc., being NON-open content, actually makes them such obvious iconic monsters.  They are "protected" in a way as being specific to D&D.  Icons of the game itself.</blockquote>