How often have you used Beholders?
- Thread starter Hussar
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Nyeshet
First Post
I've never really "got" the idea of a Beholder, and to be honest, the idea that aberrations are not individually unique but instead actual "species" and "races" has always seemed odd to me. Why call them aberrants of the norm if they are common enough and similar enough to have "species" and "races"?
Thus, most aberrations in my games are individually crafted prior to the game by myself. Occasionally I'll borrow an idea or even a creature from a MM, but in such cases the creature is a unique occurrence or so notably modified that it is rarely recognizeable as the initial creature.
Needless to say, I've never used a Beholder before.
Thus, most aberrations in my games are individually crafted prior to the game by myself. Occasionally I'll borrow an idea or even a creature from a MM, but in such cases the creature is a unique occurrence or so notably modified that it is rarely recognizeable as the initial creature.
Needless to say, I've never used a Beholder before.
sckeener
First Post
I try to use the classic monsters at least once a campaign....
which means the rust monster will be used! as well as mind flayers and yuan-ti and ....
I usually limit their numbers though. I'm not going to have players going to the Beholder nation or visiting Mind Flayer planets.
which means the rust monster will be used! as well as mind flayers and yuan-ti and ....
I usually limit their numbers though. I'm not going to have players going to the Beholder nation or visiting Mind Flayer planets.
GwydapLlew
First Post
I use beholders when the plot makes sense to use beholders. 
I can't give numbers, but I've never had a problem dropping beholders into an encounter if it works for the storyline. In the current games that I am running, I know of at least four beholders that the party have encountered: one was slain (and animated as a zombie), two beat the tar out of the party and negotiated the PC's escape to another plane of existence, and one that no one knows is a beholder (SCAP).
I have seen beholders wipe out entire parties before and I've seen them fall like flies before determined (and prepared) adventurers. In other words, they work in my game just like any other high-level monster encounter.
I can't give numbers, but I've never had a problem dropping beholders into an encounter if it works for the storyline. In the current games that I am running, I know of at least four beholders that the party have encountered: one was slain (and animated as a zombie), two beat the tar out of the party and negotiated the PC's escape to another plane of existence, and one that no one knows is a beholder (SCAP).
I have seen beholders wipe out entire parties before and I've seen them fall like flies before determined (and prepared) adventurers. In other words, they work in my game just like any other high-level monster encounter.
DrNilesCrane
First Post
I used Beholders two or three times in my Falconmoor Campaign, including an adapted version of the Beholder out of The Banewarrens (made the tower much larger and nastier; ditto for the beholder). They were definitely memorable fights. As they are iconic D&D critters, I enjoyed putting them in the adventures both for the "old school" players and the newers players so they'd have the gaming experience of having fought them.
Voadam
Legend
I've been DMing for over 20 years. Never used one.
I came across one as a player in the Banewarrens. And my wizard was able to catch it with a flung jug full of green slime while pinned down by its anti-magic cone.
There is one in Demon God's Fane which I ran but I dislike the digesters with it so much that I swapped out the whole encounter for something different (an MMII moon-something or other, the tall one with tentacles).
Funny enough I like them in Spelljammer, I enjoy the 2e and hackmaster entries on them, and bought goodman games' complete guide to Beholders. The DGF setup just wasn't an appropriate use of them for my purposes.
I also just introduced an aboleth into my game for the first time ever in the party's current game. So much for the "iconic" monsters.
I came across one as a player in the Banewarrens. And my wizard was able to catch it with a flung jug full of green slime while pinned down by its anti-magic cone.
There is one in Demon God's Fane which I ran but I dislike the digesters with it so much that I swapped out the whole encounter for something different (an MMII moon-something or other, the tall one with tentacles).
Funny enough I like them in Spelljammer, I enjoy the 2e and hackmaster entries on them, and bought goodman games' complete guide to Beholders. The DGF setup just wasn't an appropriate use of them for my purposes.
I also just introduced an aboleth into my game for the first time ever in the party's current game. So much for the "iconic" monsters.
Whizbang Dustyboots
Gnometown Hero
In 27 years, I've used them twice, if that. I will eventually use one in Ptolus if/when my campaign gets involved in the Banewarrens and the Pactlords of the Quaan. Otherwise, I see little reason to use them. Used more than sparingly, they're way too over the top for me.
That said, a rerelease of the monster module series from 2E would get me to consider it. The mind flayer one had them trying to black out the sun, yes?
That said, a rerelease of the monster module series from 2E would get me to consider it. The mind flayer one had them trying to black out the sun, yes?
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