Summer-Knight925
First Post
What are some of the 1st level iconic monsters?
Iconic 1st level monsters?
- Thread starter Summer-Knight925
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frankthedm
First Post
As in 1HD monster or monsters that players will likely encounter as 1st level characters?
For originality, in the 1HD bracket, I'd say the Stirge is the most iconic, though kobolds are close behind.
For monsters players will likely encounter at first level, I'd say Carrion Crawler is the most D&D of the bunch.
Goblins and orcs, while very prevalent, are just a bit too generic to be iconic.
On the other hand, the iconic 1st level TPK-inducing candidate would be an ogre. Generic but far more common than 1st level parties are happy about.
For originality, in the 1HD bracket, I'd say the Stirge is the most iconic, though kobolds are close behind.
For monsters players will likely encounter at first level, I'd say Carrion Crawler is the most D&D of the bunch.
Goblins and orcs, while very prevalent, are just a bit too generic to be iconic.
On the other hand, the iconic 1st level TPK-inducing candidate would be an ogre. Generic but far more common than 1st level parties are happy about.
Last edited:
The Shaman
First Post
Giant rats.
steeldragons
Steeliest of the dragons
I'm pretty sure we pretty much covered this (if you dig kinda within it) here:
http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/310279-beginners-monster-list.html
But I think all of the suggestions thus far are right on. For a 1st level iconic party, I could see any/all of the following being their foes:
Carrion Crawler
Stirges
Kobolds &/or Goblins (yes, "generic", but I concur with Gilladian, iconic would = "common", even "expected" to a D&D game.)
Skeletons &/or Zombies (again "generic" but iconic for any cemetery or "ancient tomb" dungeon/adventure)
and I'll agree with both, Ghouls and Ogres being the "seriously bad for party health" heavy hitters at 1st level.
Naturally, giant animals of all types are included: rats, snakes, spiders, bats, centipedes.
Throw in a Gelatinous Cube and an evil cleric or mage behind the whole thing and you have yourself a complete "iconic" 1st level dungeon.
Have fun and happy icon-ing.
--Steel Dragons
http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/310279-beginners-monster-list.html
But I think all of the suggestions thus far are right on. For a 1st level iconic party, I could see any/all of the following being their foes:
Carrion Crawler
Stirges
Kobolds &/or Goblins (yes, "generic", but I concur with Gilladian, iconic would = "common", even "expected" to a D&D game.)
Skeletons &/or Zombies (again "generic" but iconic for any cemetery or "ancient tomb" dungeon/adventure)
and I'll agree with both, Ghouls and Ogres being the "seriously bad for party health" heavy hitters at 1st level.
Naturally, giant animals of all types are included: rats, snakes, spiders, bats, centipedes.
Throw in a Gelatinous Cube and an evil cleric or mage behind the whole thing and you have yourself a complete "iconic" 1st level dungeon.
Have fun and happy icon-ing.
--Steel Dragons
wingsandsword
Legend
I'm also not quite sure what is meant by "1st level monster", but monsters that are iconic for a 1st level party to face:
Skeletons, Zombies, Orcs, Kobolds, Goblins, Giant Rats, Carrion Crawlers, Stirges would be the classic, expected ones, with Ghouls and Ogres for dangerous, really big "boss" type fights.
I typically include cultists, bandits, brigands, highwaymen (or town guards) and other human/demihuman foes in my games, especially at lower levels, but I don't think that's quite as common, but certainly very appropriate.
Skeletons, Zombies, Orcs, Kobolds, Goblins, Giant Rats, Carrion Crawlers, Stirges would be the classic, expected ones, with Ghouls and Ogres for dangerous, really big "boss" type fights.
I typically include cultists, bandits, brigands, highwaymen (or town guards) and other human/demihuman foes in my games, especially at lower levels, but I don't think that's quite as common, but certainly very appropriate.
Ultimatecalibur
Explorer
I think its best to remember that "level" is a measure of skill and not power. You can have "Level 1" enemies that vary in power without them varying in skill.
Except for the carrion crawler and stirges, the above describes both myself and the DMs I have had over the years as well (In all my years of DMing, I think that I have only used carrion crawlers and stirges once each and that was back when I ran modules during the early to mid 80's. I have never had a DM use them).
Summer-Knight925
First Post
I think it's best if I say that these are for starting players, for people who have never played D&D
So orcs and goblins and ogres would be something they know, I have to keep them in the adventure. Stirge are always fun, giant rats can be scary (as can giant spiders)
Skeletons and zombies are always amazing. I have an encounter set up where a giant black widow spider attacks the pcs along with some web-skeletons (normal skeletons but a 2 in 4 chance of getting your weapon stuck [strength check DC 10 to pull your weapon free] to add to the encounter)
I also think a carrior crawler (this is actually using Basic Fantasy rules rather than D&D just to start people to get the 'addicted' to RPGs to bring them into 4e, Pathfinder, Rifts, ect. ect.) is a bit much for 1st levels (as such it is a boss)
I think bosses and mini bosses are always good, but putting them into a 2-hour adventure is hard to do. I'll do my best, but goblins, orcs, kobolds, stirge, shriekers, skeletons, giant spiders and puzzles galore, not to mention carrion crawlers and some oozeies. But not so long that it can't be played in 2 hours, having a 4 hour time period and 2 groups to do makes this kinda difficult.
So orcs and goblins and ogres would be something they know, I have to keep them in the adventure. Stirge are always fun, giant rats can be scary (as can giant spiders)
Skeletons and zombies are always amazing. I have an encounter set up where a giant black widow spider attacks the pcs along with some web-skeletons (normal skeletons but a 2 in 4 chance of getting your weapon stuck [strength check DC 10 to pull your weapon free] to add to the encounter)
I also think a carrior crawler (this is actually using Basic Fantasy rules rather than D&D just to start people to get the 'addicted' to RPGs to bring them into 4e, Pathfinder, Rifts, ect. ect.) is a bit much for 1st levels (as such it is a boss)
I think bosses and mini bosses are always good, but putting them into a 2-hour adventure is hard to do. I'll do my best, but goblins, orcs, kobolds, stirge, shriekers, skeletons, giant spiders and puzzles galore, not to mention carrion crawlers and some oozeies. But not so long that it can't be played in 2 hours, having a 4 hour time period and 2 groups to do makes this kinda difficult.
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