Monsters of Myth, Whats your favorite critter!

[nightraven]

I noticed the recent thread about the Monsters of Myth book and wanted to chime in. This is probably the best monster book made for 1E AD&D (or any retro-clone) since the original MM (the MoM is for OSRIC). I think Black Blade will have both available at Gen Con.

Anyhow, my favorite monster from this book has to be Mythmere's Vermith (though its tuff with so many great creations). The Vermith just hits that sweet spot of 1979 strange, deadly and coooool.

For those who have the book, let me know your favorite.

You can get the book here if you haven't seen it: http://www.black-blade-publishing.com/Store/tabid/65/pid/40/Monsters-of-Myth-Hardback-print-.aspx

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I've heard good things about the book, but you're damning it with faint praise: The 1E MM2 and Fiend Folio were extremely mixed bags, at best. (I do have fond memories of both, but even back in the day, using them required a lot of holding one's nose.)

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

I have a high opinion of Monsters of Myth, too. I think it's something of an overlooked gem, as far as "old school" D&D publications go. There are a lot of cool and/or usable monsters in there. (That's one thing that I like about the book: when I look through it I find it easy to envision putting the monsters in my game -- that's something that not as true of a book like the Fiend Folio, for some reason.) I've used the ghoul monkey and the hypnospider to create memorable encounters. I also like the sewer thug and the Deceived of Set, but haven't used them yet.

 

[grodog]

My favorite monsters in MoM are (in no particular order):

• hypnospider
• kheph
• deceived of set
• inkling
• black shreiker
• wishing carp
• spider troll

I've used all of these in one form or another in my version of Castle Greyhawk!

 

[nightraven]

I've heard good things about the book, but you're damning it with faint praise: The 1E MM2 and Fiend Folio were extremely mixed bags, at best. (I do have fond memories of both, but even back in the day, using them required a lot of holding one's nose.)

Sorry for not being clear, I'm saying its the best monster book since the original Monsters Manual (I still consider MM1 superior). And I agree with you, both the MM2 and FF were mixed bags. I consider Monsters of Myth better then both (but it is perhaps more specialized though it has its bread and butter monsters).

Great list.

 

[Corathon]

If I have to pick a favorite, I think it'd be the velikul - but there are many good monsters in that book.
So far in my campaign I've used the atlaca, the bedlam witch, the beguiler, the cavern glazier, the funghemoth, the jagwere, the mistweird, the giant navanax, the night vapor, the occulethe, and the vermith.

 

[nightraven]

If I have to pick a favorite, I think it'd be the velikul - but there are many good monsters in that book.
So far in my campaign I've used the atlaca, the bedlam witch, the beguiler, the cavern glazier, the funghemoth, the jagwere, the mistweird, the giant navanax, the night vapor, the occulethe, and the vermith.

Corathan, curious as to how the bedlam witch worked out for you. What level/number were the PCs and what sort of nasty witchy toys did she employ against them? These remind me a bit of a cross between the stereo-typical green faced witch of legend and the Blare Witch Project witch (scary and deadly).

 

[Corathon]

Corathan, curious as to how the bedlam witch worked out for you. What level/number were the PCs and what sort of nasty witchy toys did she employ against them? These remind me a bit of a cross between the stereo-typical green faced witch of legend and the Blare Witch Project witch (scary and deadly).

I used a whole coven of the things. Party members were around 6th, except for a much higher level thief. I think that I gave them every "witch item" from the monster lsisting, as there were a lot of them. The bedlam witches reminded me of the witches in Manly Wade Wellman's Silver John tales.