[Monsters] "X is the new Y"

[Psion]

Latest in a series of threads that sound cool to Psion but will probably sink like a stone.

James Jacobs commented regarding Fiend Folio how one of their goals was to make new iconic creatures like the Githyanki.

Karti and Ethergaunts were two outcomes of this thought experiment.

But it made me think about: where are new conceptual spins on creatures with similar roles to some of my other old favorites? Where's my new Death Knight, for example.

So what do you think? Which new creatures stick out to you as being thematically similar to old creatures, preferably in a cool way? (I really don't care to know what the new carbunkle or al'mi-raj is.) Don't just stick to the WotC monster books either; what d20 OGC coolness is out there?

 

[Erik Mona]

I think inevitables fit very snugly into the D&D cosmology, and are welcome additions as far as I'm concerned (well, the marut was already welcome, but you know what I mean).

--Erik

 

[Ycore Rixle]

Not sure about "thematically similar to old creatures," or "new conceptual spins on creatures with similar roles to some of my other old favorites," but in terms of what James was talking about, namely new iconic creatures, I've often wondered what the new iconic, widely recognized and widely used creatures of 3e and 3.5e are. The new 'hits' so to speak. I include in that creatures from previous editions that weren't hits but are hits in their 3e 'remake' versions. I think pretty much we have:

Monster Manual: Fiendish/celestial creature template, half-dragon template, swarms, mohrg, chaos beast, choker, shield guardian, thoqqua, vampire spawn, yrthak, gray render. I think all of those have become widely-recognized with the advent of 3e; and I've seen all of them used at least once in published adventures.
Eberron/Monster Manual III: Warforged. They've established themselves in only a year. Everybody knows them, they have a history, they don't sleep, and lord knows they're in pretty much every Eberron adventure/supplement/book out there.
Fiend Folio: Maybe kaorti, although I think the Far Realm itself is more widely known; maybe planetouched, maybe shadar-kai.
Dungeon Master's Guide II: Mobs. They're instantly recognizable and a perfect example of monster creation from the genius of Chris Thomasson.

And... that's all I can think of right now. I think the drowned from MMIII might have a chance. They're pretty cool, border on overpowered, and that Wayne Reynolds illlustration sure doesn't hurt.

What does everyone else think? What did I miss? What did I add in that shouldn't be there?

Edit: Added the half-dragon template. How could I have forgotten?

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Castles and Crusades has the Prismatic Eye, which is similar in concept, but not execution, to the Beholder.

Goodman Games' Monsters of the Endless Dark has a mind flayer-ish monster called the Ilkroun. They are cruel alient intellects that enslave other races via implanted parasites.

 

[Psion]

Castles and Crusades has the Prismatic Eye, which is similar in concept, but not execution, to the Beholder.

Goodman Games' Monsters of the Endless Dark has a mind flayer-ish monster called the Ilkroun. They are cruel alient intellects that enslave other races via implanted parasites.

Well, I think there is a reason for that.

Similar, Mouseferatu's Iconics of Fantasy entries all would apply here.

Speaking of which: I got one:

Inphidians (ToH I/II) are a new take on "evil snakeman" type (Yuan-Ti)

 

[Shade]

Ulgurstasta is the new purple worm.

Avolakia could be the next mind flayers. (deadly, alien, subterranean aberrations with weird diets).

Abominations are the new Bahamut/Tiamat/etc. (unique entities that can be defeated by mortals and can bookend a campaign).

Chronotyryns are the new...uh...really cool extraplanar creature.

Blackstone gigant is the new iron golem (as in, "ultimate badass construct").

Ethereal filchers are the new rust monsters (annoying DM tool to rid characters of equipment).

Yugoloths are the new (insert name of a 1E monster that was screwed up in 2E).

Warforged are the new drow. (As in, they are so badly overused everyone is rapidly growing sick of them).