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Let’s Read Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse.
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<blockquote data-quote="Leatherhead" data-source="post: 8628133" data-attributes="member: 53176"><p><h3> Gnolls (VgtM)</h3><p></p><p>As you have probably heard by now, Gnolls were previously humanoids who were created when the corrupting magic of Yeenoghu changed a bunch of hyenas. In 5.5, WotC is making an effort to clean up the “always evil” kinds of races. Though not every race is getting the same kind of treatment.</p><p></p><p>Duergar were totally scrubbed of any mentions to previous lore where they were considered evil (A side product of this change is leaving them with a wildly incongruous naming scheme). Favoring a neutral description and reminding everyone of the hard-knock life of the underdark when talked about as a whole. While in contrast their cousins, the Derro, were transformed into pitiful aberrations who still have their chaotic evil tendencies as a result of their hardships.</p><p></p><p>Drow had the spotlight shown on alternative non-llothite cultures, presumably because the evil spider-drow were just too iconic. </p><p></p><p>And Gnolls were simply changed into Monstrosities. (Save for the ones who were turned into fiends) to better match their backstory of being ravenous beasts created via ritual instead of birthed. Which itself is in some conflict from the lore in previous editions. </p><p></p><p>Personally, out of the options presented, I think that what they did to the Duergar was the best effort. WotC kind of did Gnolls dirty with this change. Though I would be remiss to say that, and not also clarify that I do like the idea of having an army swarm across the world like a horde of intelligent locusts, eating everything in their path. </p><p></p><p>Anyway, on to the two entries in this book.</p><p></p><p>Gnoll Flesh Gnawer</p><p></p><p>Flesh Gnawers are CR 1 skirmishers who don’t use ranged weapons in favor of running across the battlefield in order to stab and bite their opponents. To aid with this, they have an action that allows them to both disengage and dash at the same time. This means that they work best when used in conjunction with a Gnoll Pack Lord (MM) and/or a Flind (earlier in this book) to get extra attacks out of them. Otherwise their primary use is breaching the front line to get at the squishy casters and other soft targets in the back. </p><p></p><p>The Flesh Gnawer was changed into a Monstrosity for this book.</p><p></p><p>Gnoll Hunter</p><p></p><p>The Gnoll Hunter is the premiere ranged unit of a gnoll warband. Despite their CR being only ½, they have an extremely devastating ranged attack. One that shaves 10’ of movement speed off the target when they hit. Something that makes it all but impossible to flee an encounter of Gnolls at lower levels. At CR ½ they share the same CR as the standard Gnoll in the MM, and that little bit of control (and a multiattack to power it) makes them a far more interesting monster. If WotC doesn’t have some significant change to the standard Gnoll in the upcoming 5.5 MM book, I would recommend just using the Hunter in their place.</p><p></p><p>The Hunter was also changed into a Monstrosity, in addition, their multiattack now works with every attack they have, allowing them to keep their DPR in melee range.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Leatherhead, post: 8628133, member: 53176"] [HEADING=2] Gnolls (VgtM)[/HEADING] As you have probably heard by now, Gnolls were previously humanoids who were created when the corrupting magic of Yeenoghu changed a bunch of hyenas. In 5.5, WotC is making an effort to clean up the “always evil” kinds of races. Though not every race is getting the same kind of treatment. Duergar were totally scrubbed of any mentions to previous lore where they were considered evil (A side product of this change is leaving them with a wildly incongruous naming scheme). Favoring a neutral description and reminding everyone of the hard-knock life of the underdark when talked about as a whole. While in contrast their cousins, the Derro, were transformed into pitiful aberrations who still have their chaotic evil tendencies as a result of their hardships. Drow had the spotlight shown on alternative non-llothite cultures, presumably because the evil spider-drow were just too iconic. And Gnolls were simply changed into Monstrosities. (Save for the ones who were turned into fiends) to better match their backstory of being ravenous beasts created via ritual instead of birthed. Which itself is in some conflict from the lore in previous editions. Personally, out of the options presented, I think that what they did to the Duergar was the best effort. WotC kind of did Gnolls dirty with this change. Though I would be remiss to say that, and not also clarify that I do like the idea of having an army swarm across the world like a horde of intelligent locusts, eating everything in their path. Anyway, on to the two entries in this book. Gnoll Flesh Gnawer Flesh Gnawers are CR 1 skirmishers who don’t use ranged weapons in favor of running across the battlefield in order to stab and bite their opponents. To aid with this, they have an action that allows them to both disengage and dash at the same time. This means that they work best when used in conjunction with a Gnoll Pack Lord (MM) and/or a Flind (earlier in this book) to get extra attacks out of them. Otherwise their primary use is breaching the front line to get at the squishy casters and other soft targets in the back. The Flesh Gnawer was changed into a Monstrosity for this book. Gnoll Hunter The Gnoll Hunter is the premiere ranged unit of a gnoll warband. Despite their CR being only ½, they have an extremely devastating ranged attack. One that shaves 10’ of movement speed off the target when they hit. Something that makes it all but impossible to flee an encounter of Gnolls at lower levels. At CR ½ they share the same CR as the standard Gnoll in the MM, and that little bit of control (and a multiattack to power it) makes them a far more interesting monster. If WotC doesn’t have some significant change to the standard Gnoll in the upcoming 5.5 MM book, I would recommend just using the Hunter in their place. The Hunter was also changed into a Monstrosity, in addition, their multiattack now works with every attack they have, allowing them to keep their DPR in melee range. [/QUOTE]
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