D&D General Favorite Less Used Low CR Creatures?

[Fifinjir]

Another twig blight fan here. I also used The Wretched/Wretched Sorrowsworn a fair bit. While I haven’t done this in any game I’ve run yet, I could use manes as well, there’s nothings stopping them from being a staple of a level 1 quest. Lemures, on the other hand, seem a little too weak even for that role though.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Goblins and kobolds are staples of low-level D&D games, but there are plenty of other creatures with similarly low CRs like fire newts, vegepygmies, and xvarts. Òf these others, which are your favorites, and do you have any fond memories of them?

I really like blights. I see lots of value to hoardes of tiny plant monsters.

 

[LordEntrails]

Kruthik

I guess I see them so alien in thought and motivations. I run them like ants/insects that have a reason for what they do, but it's just not what motivates most others. Well, besides food and survival.

Drop a party into a kruthik hive/warren of tunnels and the party fear just escalates.

 

[Swarmkeeper]

• Twig Blights!
• Neogi Hatchlings (resemble chestbursters and some players recoil accordingly)
• Stirges (recently reskinned these as Lampreys for an underwater adventure)
• Wharflings (Tome of Beasts; instead of dealing damage they can steal one non-weapon, loose object weighing less than 10 lbs.)

 

[Omand]

Kruthik

I guess I see them so alien in thought and motivations. I run them like ants/insects that have a reason for what they do, but it's just not what motivates most others. Well, besides food and survival.

Drop a party into a kruthik hive/warren of tunnels and the party fear just escalates.

Interesting.

I agree that Kruthik are not very common opponents. I have never used them as I just see them as too on the nose in terms of the Alien/Aliens vibe. If I wanted to have an insect theme, I have always had giant insects of various sorts (although giant ants seem to be missing for 5E) to use.

Now personal preference and all, glad you are getting some use out of Kruthiks.

Cheers

 

[Seramus]

Mephits are my favorite under-utilized low CR creatures.
Invulnerabilities, flight, spellcasting, and death bursts; and they like to be little tricksters.

A third vote for Mephits. Such a ridiculously versatile creature with tons of variants and personality stereotypes. Since they don't even have the same needs or morality as living creatures, the sky is the limit on how you can portray them.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

I still like skeletons and undead, but I'm guessing they get used a lot.

Yeah, skeletons are probably one of the most useful low-level monsters - they can fit into almost any scenario. Definitely a favorite of mine. Plus, Easley drew some of the best! I mean, just look at them:

 

[not-so-newguy]

This is not found in official MM, but I like the Thoul. A good BBEG for 1st/2nd level.

Spoiler

Thoul (5e Creature)​

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Thoul[edit]​

Medium humanoid (goblinoid), neutral evil Armor Class 14 (natural armor) Hit Points 39 (6d8 + 12) Speed 30 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 15 (+2) 13 (+1) 14 (+2) 8 (-1) 10 (+0) 7 (-2) Proficiency Bonus +2 Damage Resistances poison Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10 Languages Common, Goblin Challenge 1 (200 XP) Regeneration. The thoul regains 2 hit points at the start of its turn. If the thoul takes radiant or fire damage, this trait doesn't function at the start of the thoul's next turn. In addition, the thoul cannot regenerate in direct sunlight. The thoul dies only if it starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesn't regenerate. ACTIONS​ Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) slashing damage. If the target is a creature other than an elf or undead, it must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) slashing damage, or 7 (1d10 + 2) slashing damage if used in two hands. A thoul is a magical combination of a hobgoblin, troll and ghoul. Except under close inspection, they look like hobgoblins and can be found serving in goblin armies. They have long, sharp claws with which they can paralyze a foe, and sinewy flesh that heals unnaturally quickly. They do not like to come above ground except at night, and feed on corpses. When possible, they'll delight in torturing their paralyzed victims before moving on to other enemies.

 

[TarionzCousin]

Grung!

There was a collection of grung minis a couple years ago. I kicked off my Planejammer campaign with them.