r/bettermonsters

5 basilisk statblocks that I made a while ago!

I wasn't sure which iteration of their petrifying sight I wanted to go with, it being an ability like in 2014 or a recharge thing like in 2024. Ultimately I leaned closer to the 2024 one for simplicity, though I do think I prefer how the 2014 basilisk works...

I've been working on an original homebrew bestiary and wanted to share one of my favorites: the Shriekweaver Monkey.

It's a Small Monstrosity built around harassment and control. What makes it interesting mechanically is the combination of three traits working together: Cave Hunter lets it move across walls and ceilings without ability checks, Unsettling Mimicry imposes disadvantage on Perception checks against any creature that hears the imitated voice, and Pack Tactics gives it advantage on attacks when allies are nearby.

Its combat routine is simple but brutal: lock targets in place with Grasping Claw and finish them off with Spider Bite, which combines piercing and poison damage in a single attack against grappled targets.

What I love most is that before combat even starts it has already sown confusion. The bestiary quote sums it up perfectly: "The voice was familiar. That should have been the first warning."

The ideal encounter is 3-5 Shriekweavers in a cave with high ceilings and areas of total darkness.

Feedback on balance for CR 2 is very welcome.

A collection of 5 myconid statblocks! Along with a playable myconid race, a spore servant template, and 3 basic spore servant stat blocks—the Deadman, Stinkhorn, and Eyestalk!

I would've done some Feats for the playable race, I just couldn't really think of any mechanical ideas.. The main idea I did have was a series of feats, starting with just some random myconid varieties you can choose from, and ending with you becoming a spore sovereign that can reanimate stuff as spore servants

I've been working on an original homebrew bestiary and wanted to share one of my favorites: the Abisaurio.

It's a Medium Monstrosity built around terrain control and patience. What makes it interesting mechanically is the combination of three traits working together: Lord of the Deep gives it a massive advantage while submerged, Nocturnal Hunter punishes surprised creatures with extra 2d6 damage, and Moisture Dependency creates a real weakness that smart players can exploit by pulling it away from water.

Its signature move is Drag into the Deep (Recharge 5–6): it grabs a creature and swims away with it, forcing a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or the target starts suffocating. Combined with Feeding Frenzy, which lets it rush wounded creatures as a bonus action, it becomes extremely dangerous against disorganized parties.

The bestiary quote says it all: "It never chases the fastest prey. It waits for the most careless."

Feedback on balance for CR 5 is very welcome.

Got myself a full team of monster designers. Now working on some dragon variants, like the Draglops.