D&D 5E (2024) Ravenloft Monsters - Upping the Ante.

[TheSword]

With Ravenloft fast approaching we will get of new critters some with delicious new abilities like the Carrionette’s silver needles. But we have a host of monsters in the existing books (and 3pp) already out there. One of the most powerful ways of introducing horror is to confound players expectations of the game world - particularly jaded old players who think they know it all. 5e has taken a pretty cautious baseline with a lot of creatures stripping about abilities, defenses and vulnerabilities that they may have had previously. So what would you do to give them a bit of punch back and confound expectations.

A good example of this is the Strahd Zombie. Otherwise similar to a regular zombie but as bits get cut off in the fight they continue to attack. Particularly scary when those parts use the help action, or grapple a weaker party member, or maybe knock someone prone. Can turn something that seems pretty straightforward into a far more interesting encounters.

What abilities and changes would you give to existing 5.5 (and 5e if appropriate) creatures along a similar vein. The only rule: It needs to be in keeping with a Ravenloft campaign.

 

[TheSword]

I’d love to see monster effects last a bit longer than just a long rest. I’d update a Ravenloft Shadow so that instead of being restored on a long rest the strength drain returns after a short rest in direct sunlight (a cloudy sky doesn’t cut it). Easy in most campaigns but in Ravenloft this could make for an interesting challenge. More so on creatures that don’t rely on Strength.

I would also add a new (old) sense to the Shadow (and all other undead as well to be honest). I love that ‘feral sense’ which can sniff out the living. You see it in the Walking Dead and other survival horror mediums like zombie games. The banshee already has a more powerful version but this would allow undead to feel the presence of the living at close range. Not see them fully though.

Detect Life. The Shadow magically senses the direction of creatures within 30ft that aren't Constructs or Undead.