Monstrous humanoid (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
Monstrous humanoids are a "creature type
" in the 3rd and 3.5 editions of the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
. Monstrous humanoids are differentiated from humanoids
by their monstrous or animalistic features, and not all are technically "humanoid" in body form. They also often have supernatural or extraordinary abilities.
All monstrous humanoids have darkvision out to 60 feet. As a group, they have no other special abilities or immunities.
In 4th edition, monstrous humanoid was merged into the humanoid type.
Monstrous humanoids in the Monster Manual
The following are examples of monstrous humanoids listed in the Monster Manual
, one of the three core rule-books for Dungeons & Dragons.
Monstrous humanoids from the Fiend Folio
Creature type (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, creature types are rough categories of creatures which determine the way game mechanics affect the creature. In the 3rd edition and related games, there are between thirteen and seventeen creature types. Creature type is determined by the...
" in the 3rd and 3.5 editions of the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
. Monstrous humanoids are differentiated from humanoids
Humanoid (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, humanoid is a type of creature, or "creature type". Humanoids are any creature shaped generally like a human , of Small or Medium size, with few or no supernatural or extraordinary abilities...
by their monstrous or animalistic features, and not all are technically "humanoid" in body form. They also often have supernatural or extraordinary abilities.
All monstrous humanoids have darkvision out to 60 feet. As a group, they have no other special abilities or immunities.
In 4th edition, monstrous humanoid was merged into the humanoid type.
Monstrous humanoids in the Monster ManualMonster ManualThe Monster Manual is the primary bestiary sourcebook for monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It includes monsters derived from mythology, and folklore, as well as creatures created for D&D specifically...
The following are examples of monstrous humanoids listed in the Monster ManualMonster Manual
The Monster Manual is the primary bestiary sourcebook for monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It includes monsters derived from mythology, and folklore, as well as creatures created for D&D specifically...
, one of the three core rule-books for Dungeons & Dragons.
- CentaurCentaur (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the centaur is a large monstrous humanoid. Based upon the Centaurs of Greek myth, they resemble humans with the lower body of a horse.-Publication history:...
- DerroDerro (Dungeons & Dragons)The derro are a fictional species of monstrous humanoids in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. They were first devised for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons First Edition adventure Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth...
- DopplegangerDoppelgänger (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Doppelgangers are monstrous humanoids, identified primarily by their ability to change their shape and appearance to mimic almost any humanoid creature...
- GargoyleGargoyle (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, a gargoyle is a grotesque winged monstrous humanoid creature, with a horned head and a stony hide.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
- GrimlockGrimlock (Dungeons & Dragons)Grimlock is a fictional monstrous humanoid that lives in the Underdark, a vast interconnected system of caves underneath various Dungeons & Dragons campaign settings. Based on subterranean humanoids called "morlocks" created by H.G...
- HagsHag (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, hags are witchlike beings that use magic to spread havoc and destruction, and slay all whom they encounter.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
- HarpyHarpy (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the harpy is a monstrous monstrous humanoid creature with the lower body, legs, and wings of a reptilian creature.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
- Kuo-toaKuo-toaIn the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the kuo-toa are fish-like monstrous humanoids that dwell in the Underdark, and in the sea.-Publication history:...
- LizardfolkLizardfolkLizardfolk are a fictional humanoid species in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Publication history:...
- MedusaMedusa (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the medusa is a monstrous humanoid creature with a mass of writhing, hissing snakes instead of hair.-Publication history:...
- MinotaurMinotaur (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, minotaurs are a race of monstrous humanoids, resembling bull-human hybrids. Many minotaurs worship the demon lord Baphomet.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
- SahuaginSahuaginIn the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the sahuagin are a fish-like monstrous humanoid species that live in oceans, seas, underground lakes, and underwater caves. Sahuagin speak their native tongue . With higher intelligence scores, they can also speak two bonus languages, usually...
- Yuan-tiYuan-tiThe yuan-ti are a fictional species of evil snakemen in the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. The species comprises a number of castes. In some campaign settings, the yuan-ti are descended from evil human cultists who mixed their bloodlines with those of serpents...
Monstrous humanoids from Monster Manual II
- The Abeil resemble humanoid beeBeeBees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea, presently classified by the unranked taxon name Anthophila...
s. They have a humanoidHumanoidA humanoid is something that has an appearance resembling a human being. The term first appeared in 1912 to refer to fossils which were morphologically similar to, but not identical with, those of the human skeleton. Although this usage was common in the sciences for much of the 20th century, it...
body but with insect's legs, wings, antennae, and black and yellow stripes. Abeil are industrious and expansionistic creatures with a complex social structure. Three castes of them exist: Vassals, Soldiers and Queens. They work and live together in hives. Abeil live in temperate to warm deserts, hills, and plains. Abeil are usually of any lawful alignment. Abeil appeared in the 3.5 Edition Monster Manual II. - Boggle
- Braxat
- Desmodu
- KopruKopruIn the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the kopru are an evil race of amphibious, mind-controlling creatures. They are classified as monstrous humanoids, with the aquatic subtype.-Publication history:...
- Loxo
- Ormyrr
- Scorpionfolk
- Spell Weaver
- Tauric creature
- Thri-KreenThri-kreenIn the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the thri-kreen, or "mantis warriors", are an insect-like monstrous humanoid race. Thri-kreen are one of the primary player character races of the Dark Sun campaign setting, and have also appeared in the Spelljammer and Forgotten Realms campaign...
- Yak Folk
Monstrous Humanoids from the Monster Manual III
- Armand
- Blackscale Lizardfolk
- Poison dusk Lizardfolk
- Goatfolk
- Gulgar
- Harssaf
- Lhosk
- Nycter
- Phoelarch
- Protean Scourge
- Skindancer
- Vermin Lord
- War Troll
- Witchknife
Monstrous humanoids from the Fiend FolioFiend FolioFiend Folio is the title shared by three products published for successive editions of the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons...
- Jackal Lord
- Khaasta
- OphidianOphidianAn ophidian is a snake-like spirit from Middle-Eastern mythology. Ophidians were said to come to a person as they woke up and steal their memories, especially the memories of what had happened to them while they were in the world ruled by Morpheus....
- Sarkrith
- Skulk
- Yurian
Monstrous humanoids from other sources
- The alaghi is a monstrous humanoid that lives in temperate mountains and forests in the Forgotten RealmsForgotten RealmsThe Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
campaign settingCampaign settingA campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
. It is six feet tall and covered in shaggy brown hair. An alaghi is often neutral in alignment; however, villages of alaghi tend to be evil, while alaghi hermits tend to be nice and well faring creatures. Most alaghis are semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers. The alaghi is presented as a playable character race in The Complete Book of HumanoidsComplete Book of HumanoidsThe Complete Book of Humanoids is a sourcebook for the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was written by Bill Slavicsek for TSR, in 1993....
(1993), and is later presented as a playable character race again in Player's Option: Skills & PowersPlayer's Option: Skills & PowersPlayer's Option: Skills & Powers is a supplemental sourcebook to the core rules of the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. This 192-page book was published by TSR, Inc. in 1995. The book was designed by Douglas Niles and Dale Donovan...
(1995). - The berbalang is a bipedal gargoyle-like monstrous humanoid with leathery skin and bat-like wings. It spends most of its life in a state of hibernation while its spirit astral travels. For a few days each month, it sends a projection out into the world to kill and feed. The berbalang was first published in White DwarfWhite Dwarf (magazine)White Dwarf is a magazine published by British games manufacturer Games Workshop. Initially covering a wide variety of fantasy and science-fiction role-playing and board games, particularly the role playing games Dungeons & Dragons, RuneQuest and Traveller...
#11 (February/March 1979), in the "Fiend Factory" column, originally submitted by Albie Fiore, which was later reprinted in Best of White Dwarf Scenarios (1980). The berbalang then appears in 1981 in the first edition Fiend FolioFiend FolioFiend Folio is the title shared by three products published for successive editions of the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons...
(1981). In the second edition of AD&D, the berbalang appears in the first Monstrous Compendium Forgotten Realms Appendix (1989), and is reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993). A Guide to the Astral PlaneA Guide to the Astral PlaneA Guide to the Astral Plane is an accessory for the 2nd edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published in 1996....
(1996) describes Berbalang society for the PlanescapePlanescapePlanescape is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by Zeb Cook. The Planescape setting was published in 1994...
setting. The berbalang also appears in the Monster Manual for the fourth edition (2008). - LupinLupin (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the lupin is a humanoid with a dog-like appearance.-Publication history:The lupin first appeared in the Dungeons & Dragons adventure modules Castle Amber , Savage Coast , and Night Howlers...
- YetisYeti (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the yeti is a monstrous humanoid.-Publication history:The yeti first appeared in The Strategic Review #3 .The yeti appeared in first edition in the original Monster Manual...
are large bipedal beasts covered in white fur who hunt in cold hills and mountains and are usually neutral in alignment. The Yeti first appeared in The Strategic Review #3 (August 1975), and is based on the yetiYetiThe Yeti or Abominable Snowman is an ape-like cryptid said to inhabit the Himalayan region of Nepal, and Tibet. The names Yeti and Meh-Teh are commonly used by the people indigenous to the region, and are part of their history and mythology...
of Asian legend.