Remathilis
Legend
The same question can be asked of PCs: why should a PC need to learn 3rd and 5th level spells before they learn 8th?
D&D 5E Let’s Read Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse.
Leatherhead
Possibly a Idiot.
Bodak (VGtM)
There are many “unstatted rituals” in D&D, where the books describe a monster or person doing something and then some magic happens. Normally these kinds of rituals end up being (purposely) vague so the DM can fill in the blank. Other times the ritual is explained in simple terms. The Bodak is created by perhaps the simplest ritual. All one has to do is make some ritual vows to Orcus then carve a symbol on their chest over their heart, then they are turned into an undead engine of mass destruction.
There is almost always some unfortunate soul who seeks revenge upon the community that wronged them, no matter the cost. Given that this ritual is so easy to perform, you would wonder why there aren’t more running around. Fortunately for most living things, the answer is that the Bodak will not survive long in direct sunlight. Which puts a leash on their destructive range without support from other cultists.
At CR 6, Bodaks are designed to kill towns and other small communities. Any living creature that ends it’s turn within 30’ of the Bodak will automatically have it’s health drained with necrotic energy, no saving throw or attack roll required. A rare mechanic in 5e. Furthermore, if that creature can lock eyes with the Bodak, the Bodak will force that creature to make a constitution saving throw or be psychically damaged by fear. If a creature fails that saving throw by 5 or more, it automatically drops to 0 hps, something that would give even higher level parties pause. As a counter, a character can avert their eyes, which gives them disadvantage on attack rolls.
Mind you, that entire last paragraph was what the Bodak does by simply being in the area, no actions required, save for the one bonus action needed to turn on their necrotic aura. During the Bodak’s own turn, it will move to a group of targets and then use it’s Withering Gaze Power, which does a lot of damage, and half of that damage when the creature saves. Their Fist attack is really just there in case they need to make an OA.
That’s right, the Bodak has two independent Gaze Powers, a bit confusing to say the least. Consider working Withering Gaze into Withering Beam for clarity.
The only Change to the stat block was the addition of Unusual Nature.
Why meddle with perfection? The bodak is an incredible threat as a solo monster, a leader backed ho by ghouls or shadows or the lackeys of a lich.
When I used a bodak just once, I found that its most effective tactics were to wander through a dungeon and just have its aura chip away at his enemy, staying out of sight when possible. Hiding in the darkness, waiting for the heroes to chase the horror before their bodies fail them. I love it.
Do we need unusual nature in our D&D books?
Remathilis
Legend
Contrary to popular belief, bodaks are NOT yellow.
I could get behind an argument that giving a 4e style 'swap a fighter level 18 feature for a 9th level spell slot' but I doubt it will happen. For right now we are talking about the 'break' of logic that you can cast something like a 5th level spell without the ability to cast a 3rd level one.
having said that we already have monsters with X/day spell like abilities, and no one questions how the Oni can cast cone of cold
Leatherhead
Possibly a Idiot.
Unusual Nature is an ability given to some non-biological creatures, like undead, constructs, elementals, and some creatures that just have weird anatomies like aberrations. All it says is "This creature does not require air, food, drink, or sleep." Most of the time it's not even a true addition to the creature, as it was mentioned outside of the statblock in the paragraphs of lore text, which just makes it easier to find the information.
Boggle (VGtM)
Here is another example of a monster not really meant for combat, the Boggle. However, the boggle is meant to be annoying, and has a multitude of powers to back that up. Which, in my opinion, is a good example of why even non-combat NPCs should have Stat blocks. If only because someone is going to try and punch them for their trouble. As a creature that could be described as an oiled-up goblin, boggles are fey creatures born of loneliness. Orphans, widdows, and isolated sages may unintentionally summon one if they are near a place connected to the feywild.
Boggles like to cause mischief, which is where the PCs are likely to encounter them. Stealing items, scaring animals, leaving non-flammable puddles of oil everywhere. An NPC could hire a group of PCs to exorcize a ghost, only to find a Boggle instead. Alternatively a Boggle could manifest for a PC if they are in an extremely isolated place, like a prison, or out lost in the woods by themselves. Allowing some form of companionship and a possible avenue of escape.
Boggles are only CR ⅛. They are not going to last long in combat at any level of the game, and as such will flee at the first sign of real danger. If the PC’s elect to capture the creature rather than kill it, that’s going to be hard. Boggles can produce oil puddles as an action, leaving difficult terrain and possibly causing someone to slip or get stuck in it’s wake. Furthermore, the boggle can use this oil to escape grapples, slip through tiny cracks, or stick to walls and ceilings like a spider. If that doesn’t sound like enough, the Boggle can also create a rift through any opening (like a door or window frame, even the gap between jail bars or between the bed and floor) to another place 30’ away. Allowing them to reach though, attacking or grabbing something, or even just teleport away.
In the changeover, the Boggle somehow gained a +2 bonus in Perception, presumably from expertise, but it had no such ability to replace or listed in it’s current stat block. In a weird twist, the reformatting of this stat block might actually make it harder to parse, as it has both types of oil listed in two different places.
Leatherhead
Possibly a Idiot.
Boneclaw (MToF)
Liches and minions, is there a more classic combo? In a twist the Boneclaw is what happens when a wizard fails to become a lich, and in turn becomes a minion of some random person with a hate-filled heart. So long as their evil master lives, the Boneclaw will regrow it’s body every time it’s destroyed.
Boneclaws serving their master is an iffy thing. Some will receive direct orders from their master. Others will lurk in the shadows nearby, trying to figure out what their master desires like some kind of twisted guardian angel. It’s worth noting that if their evil master is somehow redeemed (by becoming good or at least neutral) then the Boneclaw is destroyed. This can raise some philosophical questions regarding if it’s ok to kill someone who is the petty kind of evil and an unknowing master of a boneclaw. Is it really ok to execute a thief who is in jail for a crime they didn’t commit? How about a commoner who is selfish, but not breaking any laws themselves? Is it ok to use enchantments or psionic magic to reform the master if it means an otherwise unkillable cr12 monster is destroyed in the process? Traditional reeducation and rehabilitation takes a lot of time, and all the while there is a sadistic murderous monster stalking the lands. Another thing to consider, what happens when the master is resurrected? Will that bring back the Boneclaw in a two enemies for the price of one deal?
As for fighting the Boneclaw, you may be surprised to hear that a former wizard turned skeleton has no magic spells. In fact, they have only one power that is unquestionably magic (aside from being an undead monster). Instead, the Boneclaw is what 4e would have called a lurker. They hide in shadows using their bonus action, and can use their 15’ of reach to grapple and pull their targets to them. Which is handy if you are attacking from the rafters, a creature that manages to escape their bony grasp will then plummet down on the ground, taking damage and being potentially knocked prone for easy grabbing. The Boneclaw can also use their long claws as an enhanced reaction, stopping any would-be melee aggressors in their tracks, safely away from them. The Boneclaw should not fear death, but killing enemies one-by-one is undoubtedly easier than fighting them all as a group. For this, the Boneclaw has Shadow Jump, a teleport power that also has an AoE damage rider, that can also teleport one creature that is grappled. It’s worth noting that moving a creature while they are grappled normally means a reduced movement speed, but the Boneclaw can sort of cheat this restriction. By exploiting their extended reach, and the fact they can use their claw attack to drag their target for free, they can simply move normally, then attempt to pull with their attack, move some more, then attack and pull again. Mind you, this isn’t a guaranteed tactic, but it is a possibility.
In the change, the Boneclaw’s claws became significantly more deadly, and they gained a smattering of HP and the Unusual Nature trait. In return, they can no longer spam their shadow Jump power, as it has a recharge of 5-6 now. A fair change due to the fact their previous best tactic was to grab someone and teleport away forever.
Marandahir
Crown-Forester (he/him)
It's a great creature to turn into an NPC classed companion! Try making a Boggle Prodigy and see what sort of mischief you can come up with!
Leatherhead
Possibly a Idiot.
Bulezau (MToF, BG: DiA)
When you think of a generic devil, you probably think of some kind of goat-man. D&D has never been all that close with its source materials (save for maybe the writing of Tolkien), so the Bulexau are classified as demons instead. As beings of animalistic violence, they serve no particular demons other than the ones who just happen to bully them into servitude. Though they have been explicitly tied to Baphoment in the past, their current description has only a vague connection due to their similar natures.
In combat the Bulezau will rush to the front line and stab with their Barbed Tail. Using their Rotting Presence for some minor damage and hoping their victims are infected with the disease on their Barbed Tail. The second round is where things get a little more interesting. They have a standing leap that lets them jump 10 feet into the air and 20 feet horizontally, combined with a 40’ movement speed, this makes them somewhat harder to pin down than other brute-type monsters. They can simply jump over the heads of the front line warriors, and land on the other side without expending any extra movement or provoking an OA. This immediately opens up any targets in the second ranks to their onslaught, removes any cover that the front line was using them for, and can even prevent the front line from receiving support from the back.
The Bulezau are one of the few creatures that are deadly long after the combat is ended. If a target fails their saving throw against disease, they can be poisoned for days on end. It takes an entire 24 hours for the next check, and if they fail that one (or subsequent ones) they lose maximum hp permanently.
In the changeover, the Bulezau’s Rotting Presence was made more consistent, and their Barbed Tail attack was given more damage.
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