D&D (2024) Skeleton Entry and Stat Blocks from New Monster Manual

Posted by Christian Hoffer on Twitter, here's a third stat block from 2025's Monster Manual!

Also don't forget check out the ancient green dragon and the kuo-toa.

 

[Quickleaf]

I like that idea. I often give my 2014 monsters feats, which is something I will continue to do with the 2024 monsters, so why not give those proficient with weapons the corresponding weapon masteries as well?

As for skeletons, I reckon they should be resistant to piercing weapons. Stabbing a skeleton just doesn't seem like it would be all that effective. I like the idea that piercing weapons are ineffective, slashing weapons are OK, and bludgeoning weapons are the best.

Correspondingly, perhaps zombies should be vulnerable to slashing damage and resistant to piercing and bludgeoning.

I reckon this kind of stuff makes for more diverse combats too, as players will want to have a variety of weapons and switch between them depending on what they are fighting.

That makes sense! Skeletons only have 6 Intelligence, so... they probably wouldn't get the point...

Get the point?

 

[ECMO3]

LE skeletons? With 2d8+4 HP? 10 STR, 16 DEX?

Well to be fair they were LE, 2d8+4 hp and 10 STR in 2014 as well.

The only thing that is changed is dex (from 14 to 16).

 

[MarkB]

If you want to give skeletons the "pull themselves back together" ability, then it should also be weaponised by giving them a bone-a-rang ranged attack, where they pluck out a rib and throw it at an opponent, and it crawls back to them by the start of their next turn.

 

[Iosue]

It is interesting that they chose to make "being a skeleton" a weakness (vulnerability to bludgeoning) rather than a strength (resistance to piercing).

Piercing weapons still have concussive force, and skeletons still have big targets with the skull and pelvic bones. I approve.

 

[Rabulias]

If you want to give skeletons the "pull themselves back together" ability, then it should also be weaponised by giving them a bone-a-rang ranged attack, where they pluck out a rib and throw it at an opponent, and it crawls back to them by the start of their next turn.

Watch the opening scene of Deadpool & Wolverine for innovative ways to use bones in combat.

 

[dave2008]

It is interesting that they chose to make "being a skeleton" a weakness (vulnerability to bludgeoning) rather than a strength (resistance to piercing).

I personally think it should be a weakness, but that doesn't mean it couldn't have resistance to piercing (and vulnerability to bludgeoning). There are lots of ways to get across that they are weak. I mean our skeletons are only 14% of our body mass, so I would think they would be weaker in some manner.