Not all D&D monsters are scary and monstrous.
Some are cute and worthy of being your pet.
That’s why you oughta both import and scale your monsters.
So listen up, Dungeon Master, and we’ll guide you on how to modernize your favorite monsters!
Why Update Monsters?
But they aren’t exhaustive.
Volo’s Guide to Monsters Cover Art by Tyler Jacobson
This makes calculating HP simple: Justtake the listed HD and multiply by 4.5.
Do this for each speed category, except for web speed.
Simplydivide HD by two and add eight.
Volo’s Guide to Monsters Cover Art by Tyler Jacobson
If a devil can throw a fireball, give it the Fireball spell as an ability.
If it attacks with claws, copy the Rake attack from a lion or tiger in the Monster Manual.
For this demonstration, we’ll use everyone’s favorite miniature dragons: kobolds.
Volo’s Journal by Zoltan Boros
Here’s the kobold stat block from the AD&D Monster Manual:
KOBOLD
FREQUENCY:
Uncommon
NO.
There will always be a chief and his bodyguard in the kobold lair.
All kobold shields are of wood or wickerwork.
Kobolds hate most other life, delighting in killing and torture.
They particularly hate such creatures as brownies, pixies, sprites and gnomes.
They war continually with the latter, and will attack them on sight.
Description: The hide of kobolds runs from very dark rusty brown to a rusty black.
They have no hair.
Their eyes are reddish and their small horns are tan to white.
They favor red or orange garb.
Kobolds live for up to 135 years.
Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.
Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 30/120 ft., one target.
Hit: (1d4 + 2) bludgeoning damage.
The addition of Pack Tactics should remind you thatmonsters tended to come in much larger groups in older editions.
Kobolds were listed as grouping from 40-400 individuals, which would be a nightmare to run as a DM.
This new ability allows you to significantly reduce the group while maintaining the threat of a kobold war party.
Of the Ancient, Evil Dragons in the Monster Manual, which one reigns supreme?
