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.

 

[Reynard]

That's incorrect; in 3e, skeletons had DR 5/bludgeoning, which means they reduced weapon damage they took by 5, but that bludgeoning damage bypassed that reduction. "DR #/foo" means "reduce damage by #, except from type foo."

Oops, you're right. It has been a long time.

 

[dave2008]

I'm not thinking od D&D monsters, I am thinking of media depictions.

I was thinking of both. I don't remember them being depicted that way in media in general.

 

[Kinematics]

Interesting, I get the relentless aspect, but I have never known the putting themselves back together as common theme. Generally I think of skeletons as the bottom feeders of undead, very weak and disposable. Not unkillable death machines.

The putting themselves back together I can see. I have vague memories of stuff like that from some books or movies.

In particular, how the skeleton actually works has always been a head-scratcher. There's nothing connecting the bones together, so how do they move, or even stay standing? The answer, of course, is "magic". In particular, magic is the driving force of their actions, holding them together. So breaking them apart doesn't really "kill" them, as they were never alive in the first place. The magic tries to pull the bits back together to keep doing what it intended, for as long as it can.

So the "Con save to start pulling themselves back together" shtick sounds perfect for them. I'd just add a way to ensure a skeleton stays down once broken, other than relying on a crit. Unless the skeleton is effectively "paralyzed" when broken down, in which case all adjacent melee attacks are automatically crits, which would satisfy the condition.

 

[Reynard]

So the "Con save to start pulling themselves back together" shtick sounds perfect for them. I'd just add a way to ensure a skeleton stays down once broken, other than relying on a crit. Unless the skeleton is effectively "paralyzed" when broken down, in which case all adjacent melee attacks are automatically crits, which would satisfy the condition.

That is a good solution. it required the PCs use an action to keep one from getting up again.

 

[Rabulias]

the minotaur skeleton can do 20 damage on average with its gore attack. I mean that's enough to flat out drop most 2nd level characters with ease. Hoss!

Nor does the minotaur skeleton, despite the description talking about a "mighty greataxe".

The gore attack actually is a bit of a nerf. The 2014 minotaur skeleton charged and gored for 22 points on average (13 (2d8+4) plus 9 (2d8)).

Edited to add: They beefed them up a bit by removing the Strength saving throw to avoid being knocked prone. If you get hit by the 2024 gore, and are Large or smaller, you're prone. Not sure how I feel about that...

Edited to add 2: The charging gore is further nerfed, as the 2024 minotaur skeleton needs to move at least 20 feet to get the charge bonus. The 2014 one only needs 10 feet of movement.

They further nerfed them by removing their greataxe attack. The 2014 minotaur skeleton with a greataxe does 17 (2d12+4) per attack and does not need to charge beforehand.

 

[Argyle King]

I said this elsewhere, but -especially looking at these stat blocks- the new books have a bit of a 4E vibe.

 

[Reynard]

I said this elsewhere, but -especially looking at these stat blocks- the new books have a bit of a 4E vibe.

What makes you say that. They look essentially the same as the 5E stat block.

 

[Stalker0]

The gore attack actually is a bit of a nerf. The 2014 minotaur skeleton charged and gored for 22 points on average (13 (2d8+4) plus 9 (2d8)).

Edited to add: They beefed them up a bit by removing the Strength saving throw to avoid being knocked prone. If you get hit by the 2024 gore, and are Large or smaller, you're prone. Not sure how I feel about that...

Edited to add 2: The charging gore is further nerfed, as the 2024 minotaur skeleton needs to move at least 20 feet to get the charge bonus. The 2014 one only needs 10 feet of movement.

They further nerfed them by removing their greataxe attack. The 2014 minotaur skeleton with a greataxe does 17 (2d12+4) per attack and does not need to charge beforehand.

All very good points, though it is surprising that they left such a high alpha damage for a CR2 monster considering the clear attempts to nerf some other aspects.

 

[Rabulias]

What is weird to me is that the Languages for most of the skeletons here have the "Understands all languages it knew in life but can't speak" but the minotaur skeleton has "Understands Abyssal but can't speak." This is something also in 2014 MM.

Edited to add: Ah. I see now. The base 2014 minotaur only speaks Abyssal. I never noticed that before.

 

[Rabulias]

I’m so annoyed that they didn’t give skeletons false appearance. They should be indistinguishable from inanimate skeletons while prone and motionless, and get advantage on initiative if no one notices they’re animate before the start of combat!

The bones of real skeletons don't remain connected. Jawbones for example. I think it would be easy to notice something odd about bones that remain connected without connective tissue holding them together.

I grant you the idea of loose bones clattering together and rejoining as the skeleton moves into action is quite evocative, and something I may employ...