Dungeons and Dragons has an extensive menagerie of creatures, which has been constantly expanding ever since the first edition was published in 1974. Certain monsters, such as the Beholder or the Gelatinous Cube have gained widespread notoriety, but not everyone has gained so much popularity.
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Many interesting creatures are understandably overlooked in the sea of supplement books, but by no means are they less exciting to incorporate into games and campaigns. On top of that, using underappreciated monsters guarantees that even the veteran players will have to deal with something new and unexpected, creating a unique and thrilling experience for everyone at the table.
10 Thoqqua
Introduced: 1st Edition
While the Purple Worm is always fun, the Thoqqua could be considered somewhat of its smaller sibling. Being native to the Elemental plane of Fire, these burning creatures drill impossibly long tunnels and can do serious damage to their enemies.
Their molten exterior generates so much heat, that any unfortunate adventurer who decides to attack them in melee, will in turn be blasted with heat from the monster’s body. While one of these rock-worms might be somewhat manageable, a group of these lurking underground is sure to give the party a good challenge.
9 Xorn
Introduced: 1st Edition
These ferocious-looking creatures are extremely dangerous underground dwellers. Easily camouflaging themselves with rocks, they can swiftly move through earth and stone, quickly covering large distances underground. Their sturdy bodies pack a serious punch, and they are resistant to regular weapons and attacks.
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They are great at ambushing explorers due to their great underground stealth, and their uncanny ability to snuff out precious metals and gems. However, a group of adventurers could hypothetically bribe such a creature with their own gems, making for an unexpected ally, at least while it’s fed.
8 Zorbo
Introduced: 1st Edition
For a long time, its creators have ferociously denied it being a koala, but players have always suspected otherwise. From looking at it, not everyone would see the blood-thirsty, people-eating monster that it really is. Its cutesy furry nature serves it quite well when it comes to hunting and surviving in the wild.
Zorbos are usually fairly social creatures, often living in small packs of about 5. One of their key abilities is the power to absorb their surroundings, enhancing their defenses depending on the surroundings. Their default AC is 10, but should one get a hold of metal, it goes up to an impressive 19.
7 Nerra
Introduced: 3rd Edition
The Plane of Mirrors is a mysterious place, and far less is known about it compared to other such Planes. The creatures that dwell there are covered in an even thicker shroud of secrecy, confusing and shattering the minds of those who happen to encounter them.
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The name Nerra is a name of the humanoid race that inhabits that Plane, with various known subraces. Their skin is completely made of a reflective material, making them highly resistant to elements. Their way of life and intentions pose many questions and make for a great journey for the players.
6 Meenlock
Introduced: 1st Edition
Contrary to their fey neighbors, Meenlocks are nightmarish creatures that haunt the darkest corners of the Feywild and occasionally cross over to the Material Plane. These grotesque, hunched creatures are known for their distinctive insect-like appearance, featuring elongated limbs and eerie, multi-faceted eyes.
They are feared for their ability to inflict paralyzing nightmares on their prey, and their knack for lurking in shadows before pouncing on unsuspecting victims. Their telepathic powers make them extremely dangerous opponents, especially in packs, though they usually prefer to avoid direct confrontations.
5 Skum
Introduced: 2nd Edition
Those versed in Dungeons and Dragons lore would be at least somewhat familiar with Aboleths, the powerful eel-like aberrations with extremely powerful psionic abilities. However, much less is known about the enslaved race they themselves created, the visually similar Skum.
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These fish-human hybrids serve their terrible monstrous masters and are quite formidable themselves. Skum are known for their aggressive and territorial nature, often banding together in primitive tribes to defend their territories. Should a party decide to fight them, it is best done above water, as they are extremely agile and dangerous swimmers.
4 Slaad
Introduced: 1st Edition
The Slaadi terrify those familiar with their nature, especially those who have been unfortunate enough to actually encounter them. These frog-like monsters were born from chaos and embody disruption, fighting any and all order in the world. They originate from the chaotic plane of Limbo, known for its ever-changing and unpredictable nature.
Aside from being tough and deadly fighters, they have an extremely grotesque and disturbing way of reproduction. Slaadi increases their numbers by implanting their eggs into other creatures, resulting in an alarming transformation process, turning victims into one of their own.
3 Raggamoffyn
Introduced: 2nd Edition
While animated objects are by no means new to the game, this one is certainly… odd. Instead of a single object given life, such as a chair or a chest, the Raggamoffyn is a collection of sentient scraps.
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Oftentimes, they disguise themselves as the ordinary thing they are supposed to make, such as a cape or a carpet, and when an unsuspecting victim comes too close, they try to completely envelop them. A covered creature has no choice but to submit to the will of the Raggamoffyn, until they either perish or get freed.
2 Cerebrilith
Introduced: 3rd Edition
These Abyssal entities are as mysterious as they are terrifying. They possess a grotesque form, reminiscent of a fusion between cephalopod and humanoid, featuring pallid, rubbery skin, tentacle limbs, and a singular, pulsating, bioluminescent eye on their foreheads.
These eldritch horrors exhibit a sinister intellect, infiltrating minds with whispers of madness. Cerebriliths drift through the void, guided by a relentless curiosity about mortal consciousness. Their lore is shrouded in tales of forbidden knowledge and sinister pacts with ancient, otherworldly beings, leaving behind a haunting legacy.
1 Oblex
Introduced: 5th Edition
The Ooze family has a lot of members, each more dangerous and eerie than the previous one. However, few are as sinister and powerful as the Oblex. These cunning slimes feed on memories, infiltrating the minds of their prey to both steal and impersonate. Their true form remains concealed, a pulsating core hidden within a translucent ooze.
Once ensnared, victims are reduced to mindless husks, their essence ruthlessly absorbed. The Mindflayers have worked on a great many creatures, but the Oblex is rightfully one of their most haunting creations.
- Franchise
- Dungeons & Dragons
- Original Release Date
- 1974
- Publisher
- Wizards of the Coast
- Designer
- E. Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson