What Supplement Monsters Deserve a Promotion to Core?

[LordVyreth]

OK, all of these are from MM2:

Rogue Eidolon

Oh, I was just thinking of this one. Another fun one is the Terratomorph frrom the Monster Manual 2. And there's another type, but I can't remember their names. They were outsiders, I think, with insect builds and face masks they could reveal to shock people. There were, I think, 3 distinct types based on color, and they were all accomplished spellcasters as well.

 

[GreatLemur]

Posting to support all the kaorti love. They were the first thing that came to mind when I saw this thread.

Oddly, we've seen no sign of an obvious Far Realms analog in the new cosmology. Surprising, since there seemed to be ever more Far Realms material towards the end of 3.x, and more interest from the community as well. But, then again, the Far Realms never had a place in the old cosmology, either. Which I guess was kind of the point.

 

[heirodule]

Shaboath.

And the Aboleth need servitors that don't always say to the metagame, "hey, we're dealin' with an aboleth here" like Skum do.

 

[Xyl]

Copying my list from the WotC message boards...

MM2
Elemental Weird
Nimblewright
Raggamoffyn

MM3
Cadaver Collecter
Living Spell
Harpoon Spider
Poison Dusk Lizardfolk
Summoning Ooze

MM4
none

MM5
Gem Scarab
Tirbana

Miniatures Handbook
Bright Naga
Mad Slasher
Nothic

Other
Calzone Golem

 

[Kunimatyu]

MM5
Gem Scarab
Tirbana

Miniatures Handbook
Bright Naga
Mad Slasher
Nothic

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who likes these guys.

Mad Slashers are incredibly good monsters -- little spiderthings with Whirlwind Attack make very unique 'mook' enemies. The Nothic's damaging gaze is fun, though I hope that gaze attacks are easier to handle in 4e.

 

[Shroomy]

Oh, I was just thinking of this one. Another fun one is the Terratomorph frrom the Monster Manual 2. And there's another type, but I can't remember their names. They were outsiders, I think, with insect builds and face masks they could reveal to shock people. There were, I think, 3 distinct types based on color, and they were all accomplished spellcasters as well.

You are thinking of the ethergaunts from the Fiend Folio.

 

[The Human Target]

Kenku
Perytons
Redcap
Bullywugs
Worm that Walks
Demilich
Dracolich
Chitines
Draegloth
leucrotta
Mongrelfolk
Splinterwaifs
Carcass Crab
Dolgaunt
Living Spells
Quori
Warforged
Banshee
Hooked Horror
Grell
Psionic Duergar
Puppeteer
Myconid

 

[Angel Tarragon]

MMII
Catoblepas, Elemental Weirds, Grell, Hook Horror, Morkoth, Myconid, Phoenix, Sirine

Arms & Equipment Guide
Hippocampus, Zaratan

Book of Exalted Deeds
Guardinals (Musteval, Ursinal), Moon Dog

Book of Vile Darkness
Kython

Cityscape
Siege Golem

Draconomicon
Dracolich, Dragonkin, Drakestone Golem

Expanded Psionics Handbook
Brain Mole, Intellect Devourer, Temporal Filcher, Thri-Kreen

Frostburn
Woolly Mammoth, Elemental Weirds, Giant Raven

Libris Mortis
Entropic Reaper, Necromental, Skin Kite, Wheep

Miniatures Handbook
Equiceph, Nothic, Khumat, Stonechild, Walking Wall

Planar Handbook
Energon

Sandstorm
Sand Dragon, Dry Lich, Marruspawn, Sand Golem, Sphinx

Stormwrack
Hiipocampus, Nereid

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

I think that's a misguided design philosophy. That's how you end up with edible lasagna golems. There is a reason some concepts have never really made it as monsters. It's really a mistake to think there is anything new under the sun. It's all in presentation and language.

I don't see how your objection follows from the quoted passage.

Just because a second creature whose schtick is breathing fire gets rejected, there's no reason to assume a third creature whose schtick is randomly generating salad will be taken in. Concepts have to be different from each other, not STUPID.

Although, an edible golem (no need to single out lasagna) would actually be an interesting take on the Final Fantasy magic pot: a beneficial or potentially beneficial creature that you encounter wandering in a mostly hostile environment. Created by a mad wizard to provision his forces in the field! But PCs can eat it, too! It totally works.

Seriously though, while there may be nothing new under the sun, I think there are easily enough DIFFERENT things under the sun, or even just under the covers of existing Monster Manuals, to fill a Monster Manual I with creatures whose schticks are both unique and awesome.

 

[Xyl]

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who likes these guys.

Mad Slashers are incredibly good monsters -- little spiderthings with Whirlwind Attack make very unique 'mook' enemies. The Nothic's damaging gaze is fun, though I hope that gaze attacks are easier to handle in 4e.

I like a lot of monsters in the Miniatures Handbook. They were designed to play a simple role in a battle, rather than having a zillion abilities they'll never use. Since that seems to be the philosophy for all 4e monsters, I won't be surprised to see multiple MH monsters become core. Magma Hurler is semiconfirmed, and it just barely missed making my list (it's a nice monster, but it just doesn't grab me).

I think that's a misguided design philosophy. That's how you end up with edible lasagna golems. There is a reason some concepts have never really made it as monsters. It's really a mistake to think there is anything new under the sun. It's all in presentation and language.

Still, that does not mean this view is inaccurate WRT the 4e design team.

It wasn't a lasagna golem. It was a calzone golem. I ran that adventure for my group.

*Adds Calzone Golem to list*