What's the quintessential D&D monster?

[Kai Lord]

What do you think is the coolest monster that is more "D&D" than any inspirational source?

Monsters such as dragons (common mythology) and orcs (Tolkien) don't qualify. I'm talking straight D&D creatures such as carrion crawlers and beholders.

Which is the most iconic?

 

[Halivar]

Drow, beholders and illithid. Most especially because they're all copyrighted.

 

[mac1504]

Personally for me it would have to be the rust monster, I believe it was the first monster I ran across when playing the adventure in the back of the old red D&D book.

 

[A'koss]

My vote would be for the Bulette which I don't believe has any mythological roots. The Cat Lord, the Beholder and the Illithid are a few others... and for some strange reason I've always had a soft spot for the old D&D "dungeon monster" standby's - the Gelatinous Cube, Green Slime, Piercers and so on.

Don't ask me why...

Cheers,

A'koss.

 

[Tarrasque Wrangler]

The Gelatinous Cube.

As the Book of Ratings states, it's genetically adapted to graph paper!

 

[Valiantheart]

The Gelatinous Cube.

As the Book of Ratings states, it's genetically adapted to graph paper!

Agreed.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Dragons, of course!...errr

Probably the Gelatinous Cube, Beholders, or Illithid..

 

[Sargon the Kassadian]

I would have to say the Owlbear. Who would come up with an idea like that!? Besides, it was created in a mad wizard's laboratory.

 

[Zappo]

Beholder. Illithid being a close second.

 

[Someone]

I´ll add the Balor, though it probably comes after Gelatinous Cubes and drow.