D&D General Monsters you love to hate, and monsters you hate to love.

[James Gasik]

As a DM, I have a few "pet" monsters I try to use at least once in a given campaign. Some are quite quirky.

For example, I've long used the Achaierai, a strange birdlike critter from the lower planes, adapting it for editions and games that lack stats for it. My players hate it's guts.

I'm also fond of the Aurumvorax.

On the other hand, I've had horrible experiences with Aboleths and Remorhaz (Remorhazes?), and whenever I find myself having to face them, the encounter fills me with dread.

I'm curious about monsters that others have love/hate relationships with?

 

[Bitbrain]

My favorite monsters to throw at my players are 1) Dragons, 2) Giants, 3) Froghemoths, and 4) Girallons.

EDIT - it should be noted that my dragons don’t have wings. They can’t fly, but make up for this with a lot more damage and condition resistances/immunities and more dangerous breath weapons.

 

[James Gasik]

My favorite monsters to throw at my players are 1) Dragons, 2) Giants, 3) Froghemoths, and 4) Girallons.

EDIT - it should be noted that my dragons don’t have wings. They can’t fly, but make up for this with a lot more damage and condition resistances/immunities and more dangerous breath weapons.

Girallons are dangerous, they'd give me pause as well. So your dragons are basically Lindworms then?

 

[Omand]

Let's see ...

I have a soft spot for Owlbears, and tend to throw them into every campaign if I get a chance. Another vote for Girallons and Giants as well.

I have found Darkmantles as a fun (at least for the DM) little encounter, the same with Stirges. Plus, if we have any natural cavern dungeons to explore a Roper needs to make an appearance.

Cheers

 

[James Gasik]

Oh man, do I hate Ropers. Such an obnoxious monster.

 

[Omand]

Oh man, do I hate Ropers. Such an obnoxious monster.

Obnoxious, but fun as a DM.

I have yet to kill a PC with a Roper, but had some interesting encounters.

Now, Girallons and Owlbears both can rend, and a critical hit from one of them can drop a PC very quickly. Again, never killed a PC with either creature that way, but have come very, very close on several occasions.

Cheers

 

[not-so-newguy]

I've mentioned this monster several times already, but I like to use Thouls to spice up my goblin clans. Good for a low level curveball.

Thoul (5e Creature) - D&D Wiki

www.dandwiki.com

 

[Seramus]

I always include a Gelatinous Cube and a Mimic somewhere. These are such staples of the IP it simply makes me smile to include them at least once in a campaign. I'm also fond of Tucker's Kobolds, though I always make sure they are in a specific location (as opposed to all kobolds) and sufficiently foreshadowed.

 

[Omand]

Oooh yes, Gelatinous Cubes and Mimics, plus Kobolds.

Although of late I have taken a shine to the Kobold Press version of kobolds as a ubiquitous part of the setting and covering the alignment spectrum. They don't have to be snivelling and cowardly.

Cheers

 

[Tonguez]

As a DM, I have a few "pet" monsters I try to use at least once in a given campaign. Some are quite quirky.

For example, I've long used the Achaierai, a strange birdlike critter from the lower planes, adapting it for editions and games that lack stats for it. My players hate it's guts.

ah the foul fowl of the fell realms, I’d did love the picture of a giant 4-legged parrot.

I use fae pixies and goblins often, unique elemental-infused ogres, mistwraiths and shadow mastiffs.