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Nerdarchy > Dungeons & Dragons  > Top 10 Scariest Dungeons And Dragons Monsters (Part 2)

Top 10 Scariest Dungeons And Dragons Monsters (Part 2)

Top 10 Scariest Dungeons and Dragons Monsters (Part 1)
Game Master Tips -- Rewarding Player Choices In Your Roleplaying Game

Top 10 scariest Dungeons and Dragons monsters continued

If you missed part one “Holy Crap! Nerdarchy’s Top 10 Scariest Dungeons and Dragons Monsters” click here

Dungeons & Dragons Monsters

5) Beholder — These things are just plain alien and bizarre. A floating sphere with a single eye, a huge maw full of razor sharp teeth, and ten stalks each topped with a magical eye. With a central eye that shuts down magic, beholders are the bane of spell casters everywhere.

“Also referred to as an Eye Tyrant, beholders are terrifying opponents with ten magical eyes all able to deal death.”

The beholder is truly terrifying when consider the following factors:

  1. It is a creature so alien no mortal could comprehend it’s mind.
  2. Powerful magical abilities.
  3. Genius level intellect.

4 ) Illithid — Also known as mindflayers, these guys have scary covered in so many ways it’s not even funny. Super smart, super creepy, and super powerful.

“Oh, and by the way, they want to freaking suck your brain out of your head with tentacles!  Bon appetit.”

These things look just close enough to human to make you want to crap your pants. If there were ever Dungeons and Dragons monsters that were inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu mythos the illithids are it hands down. I mean they kind of look like an anorexic, wingless version of Cthulhu.

3) Demons and devils — Are creatures from lower planes. These scary mo fo’s seem to have one thing in common:  no matter the bad stuff they want to do to you, it is in addition to devouring and/or owning your soul.

“Demons and Devils are different shades of evil with a capital “E”, but at the end of the day no matter how they get there, it’s all about reaping your soul.”

The worst part is that these nasties come in many shapes and sizes. Demons and Devils can appear horrific or the most beautiful you’ve ever laid eyes on.  Demons and Devils are like the Pepsi versus Coke of the lower planes.

nerdarchy2) Liches- Let’s face it the undead are scary, but those that willing embrace and chose undeath are straight up terrifying.

“Liches forgo the mortal coil in the pursuit of arcane power.”

Liches are usually scary before they ever even became undead. It takes mastering arcane and dark arts to transform themselves into undead monsters. Lichedom only makes them that much more powerful.

Now for the top dogs of all Dungeons and Dragons monsters……

1) Dragons — What list of scary Dungeons and Dragons monsters would be complete without dragons?  I mean, it’s in the name of the game, if the dungeon it would be on this list too. Dragons are not just monsters, but forces of nature.

“Ancient creatures that are smarter, bigger, stronger, and immensely more powerful than almost any other mortal creature.”

Dragons are tied to the primal forces of the universe such as particular elements and magic. These fearsome beasts command the raw power of the elements and magic the way a painter or sculptor would work the tools of their trade.

This quote sums it up the best.

“My armor is like tenfold shields, my teeth are swords, my claws spears, the shock of my tail a thunderbolt, my wings a hurricane, and my breath death!”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

My top ten scariest monster list is made up of monsters I’ve enjoyed terrorizing my players with over the years I’ve been game mastering. You may agree or disagree with my choices and that’s OK, as roleplayers we get to season our game to taste — just add delicious, delicious fear.

Personally, the most fearsome monsters are those that strike from the darkness, things that are strange, bizarre, and alien, monsters that put more than just your life in peril, or creatures that will slaughter their victims in the most horrific ways imaginable.

There are fates far worse than death lurking in the shadows and dark places of the world.

What monsters going bump in the night chills your blood? Feel free to share your favorite baddies in the comments below.

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david friant

My name is Dave Friant I've been gaming off and on for over 27 years. But here is the thing it's always been a part of my life I've kept secret and hidden away. I've always been ashamed of the stigma that gaming and my other nerdy and geeky pursuits summon forth. Recently I decided screw it! This is who I am the world be damned. From now on I'm gonna be a geek, nerd, or however folks want to judge me and just enjoy life. Currently one of my greatest joys is introducing my 13 yr old son to table top RPG's.

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