Ever since the first edition of Dungeons and Dragons was published back in 1974, the game offered an impressive array of various monsters and creatures to conquer. While many originated from common fantasy tropes and legends, there were plenty of completely original monsters that captivated the imagination of millions of people worldwide.
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From cunning devils to various magical beasts, to unimaginable Lovecraftian horrors, the beloved TTRPG lets players and Dungeon Masters alike enjoy an enormous menagerie of mythical creatures and beings. Certain monsters managed to garner much more attention than others, becoming iconic in their own right, and rightfully claiming their legendary status among collective storytelling enthusiasts.
10 Hag
While the idea of an “old witch of the village” is by no means new, the Dungeons and Dragons version has many aspects that make it unique and recognizable. The Hag has many terrifying qualities that over time have made it a very infamous opponent, making many players rightfully unnerved when encountered.
Hags are ancient dark fey beings, twisting and manipulating people as easily as magic. Their magical prowess manifests in powerful spells and incredibly potent potions. For them, the misery of people is their energy, and they use all of their wicked means to corrupt, despair, and destroy villagers and heroes alike, gleefully cackling along the way.
9 Giant
Giants have been a part of many folklore stories and legends, and the world of Forgotten Realms is no exception. Giants are said to have inhabited it long before humans, being in many ways superior to them. Giants take their history and lineage incredibly seriously, passing on their wealth and wisdom, as well as grudges and quarrels down the succession line.
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Giants originate from Annam Allfather, the deity and creator of the Giant race as we know it. While the giants have many different varieties and kinds, their raw physical power can never be underestimated, as well as certain kinds’ high intelligence and aptitude for magic.
8 Lich
It is hard to understate the impact and importance of the Lich, who is deservingly placed on the cover of the Dungeon Master’s Guide. While a semblance of the concept appeared in various books before, Lich as we know it today was brought to us by Gary Gygax with the first edition of Dungeons and Dragons.
A Lich is a powerful undead sorcerer, keeping their life source separate and hidden away. Usually, they were originally a powerful mage, who sought to achieve eternal life through undeath. Corrupted by dark magic, they are incredibly intelligent and powerful enemies to those who dare oppose them or are simply unlucky enough to be nearby.
7 Tarrasque
Called The World Devourer by some, the Tarrasque is a Gargantuan monstrosity that can easily decimate an entire city without as much as noticing. Its origins are unclear, with some claiming that it was created by the gods themselves to punish the mortals for their hubris, while others blame corrupt mages.
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Luckily, Tarrasques can slumber beneath the ground for eons, but should they wake, everyone on the material will be in incredible danger. Defeating them is nigh impossible, many great heroes have perished trying. The best chance a party of adventurers has is putting it back to sleep, in hopes that future generations find a suitable solution.
6 Mind Flayer
Mind Flayers are also original Forgotten Realms creatures, who were given the spotlight in the recently released Baldur’s Gate 3. They have incredibly powerful psionic abilities, allowing them feats such as telepathy, mind control, telekinesis, and much much more.
Their origins are as mysterious as their ways, with some believing they came from the distant future, in hopes of preventing a world-shattering calamity. Others believe they came from an isolated dimension, surviving and thriving in the darkness. Their knowledge and technology pose a lot of questions, and their relentless struggle toward total control is a danger to all living things.
5 Mimic
Ever since their introduction in the first edition, Mimics have been adopted by many video games and movies, traumatizing players with their jump-scary nature. Aside from being able to perfectly mimic ordinary objects (chests being the preferred shape, luring in greedy adventurers), they have incredibly adhesive properties, leaving their prey next to no chance to escape their grasp.
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Mimics were originally created by powerful wizards, presumably to protect their vast treasures from thieves and adventurers. No matter the original intention, they remain incredibly effective at hunting both people and animals and always leave quite the impression on players.
4 Owlbear
Despite their ferocious nature and intimidating presence, Owlbears have always held a soft spot in many players’ hearts. After all, who could resist those giant cuddly feathered beasts? Their origin is unclear, with many blaming experimenting wizards, and some speaking of fey magic at hand.
They are incredibly dangerous hunters, retaining the best qualities of their respective counterparts. If need be, they can be incredibly stealthy, quickly cover large ground using their enormous feathered paws, and deal devastating damage with their powerful claws and beaks. And may the dice have mercy on those who dare mess with an Owlbear egg or cub, as the mother’s rage will know no bounds.
3 Gelatinous Cube
The Gelatinous Cube is quite a peculiar monster and has doomed many unsuspecting adventuring parties. They can be near-invisible in the darkness of dungeons, blending in the tunnels using their highly transparent nature, trapping whatever happens to walk into them inside.
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Fabled to originate from Juiblex, the demon lord of oozes, gelatinous cubes share familiar bonds with other Oozes. They are mindless predators that dissolve any organic matter, unfortunate enough to encounter them. They are also surprisingly strong and flexible, able to fit through the narrowest openings, in search of their new hunting grounds.
2 Dragon
It’s right there in the name. While, by no means original, the Forgotten Realms Dragons have incredible lore and variety among the element-breathing monstrosities, with many unique abilities. Aside from coming in many different colors and sizes, Dragons can use powerful magic and shapeshifting, on top of their enormous raw power.
Most Dragons are territorial by nature, however, their characters can wildly differ depending on their kind. Some enjoy the company of humans and their stories, while others prefer humanoids as their meals or servants. Despite the exact nature of an encountered Dragon, adventurers should always be extremely careful when dealing with one, lest they risk getting unceremoniously snacked on.
1 Beholder
Few monsters are as deserving of the first spot as the Beholder, who proudly sits on the cover of the Monster Manual itself. The terrifying massive floating eye-monster holds immense power when it comes to magic, so much so that even its dreams can manifest and take physical shape of their own.
They are incredibly intelligent, with some beholders manipulating entire nations and factions, such as the Xanathar in Waterdeep. Their ability to completely shut down magical effects and artifacts makes them even more deadly in a confrontation, and their many separate eye stalks can blast enemies with various rays that range from simple confusion, to complete disintegration.
Dungeons and Dragons
- Franchise
- Dungeons & Dragons
- Original Release Date
- 1974-00-00
- Publisher
- Wizards of the Coast