Each of the 4 Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Monster Card sets introduced 3 new official creatures for game play.
All the new monsters went on to be included in the Monster Manual II (1983), though only a few are recognizable as “standard” AD&D fare. Today we’ll take a look at these “new” monsters.
This is not my first post on the AD&D Monster Cards.
Grippli. The Erol Otus art here is superior to the MMII version, which looks like a Bullywug variant to me.Mihstu. Didn’t remember this one. A highly-intelligent elemental? Interesting. An utterly alien consciousness.Zorbo. Looks like a demonic koala. The zorbo (get it?) “absorbs” its AC from its surroundings. A bit weird, seems to me like a needless headache for the DM. The players may not even realize the creature’s AC is variable – the effect lasts for 10 rounds, and many battles will end sooner than that. The party could well end up minus some magic items at the end of the fight; great if the DM needs to nerf PC gear I suppose.
Monster Cards, Set 2
Land Urchin. Thought this one wasn’t in the MMII, but it’s under “Urchin, Land” heh. Immune to visual illusions or blindness.Thri-Kreen. This creature is probably the most recognizable of the lot. Featured heavily in the Dark Sun Campaign Setting (1990s). But it got its start here in the cards.Galeb Duhr. The MMII entry notes that they control boulders as a treant controls trees.
Monster Cards, Set 3
Sea Wolf. Found under the Lycanthrope heading in MMII. Interestingly, this became the “Lesser Seawolf”. The Greater Seawolf is a fearsome opponent.Tunnel Worm. Found under “Worm” in MMII. This one is no joke at 9+3 HD, and it saws through armor quickly into automatic hits.Wemic. A “lion centaur”. Recognizable, but not frequently seen. If anybody knows of any adventures with wemics, let me know in the comments.
Monster Cards, Set 4
Hybsil. An “antelope centaur”. I don’t remember this one at all. Add a unique “official” creature (faction) to your D&D campaign.Korred. Looking for a dancing crazy humanoid? Imagine party animals with Stone Shape, Stone Door, Transmute Rock to Mud, Animate Rock, Shatter, and Stone Tell. I’d only DM that after a few drinks.Obliviax (Memory Moss). Memory lapses? You must eat it before you kill it.
The Unique Monster from Fiend Folio
Nycadaemon. At least they picked one of the most awe inspiring creatures in the FF. This “cunning, wicked, and uncaring” fiend with Genius intelligence is a harsh foe.
Reblogged this on DDOCentral.
Great timing. Hybsils will be featured in Dungeons and Dragons Online’s newest expansion, Fables of the Feywild, which released November 4th.