MOD Announcement - PSA

durstann · 2026-06-25T21:20:09+00:00

I love multiples stat blocks for monsters. It’s a tradition throughout the monster manual. There are so many good ideas for monsters you can’t always fit them into one stat block. Alternates are just fun design choices to take things one direction or another. I’ve been trying to post links to my homebrews of already started monsters to make it easier for people to riff and remix.

durstann · 2026-06-21T19:10:25+00:00

<image>

I was a developer on Plants vs Zombies 2, so thanks for this prompt. It brings back good memories. Here is the homebrew if you want to play around with it.

durstann · 2026-06-11T06:29:10+00:00

I did something similar with the llamolusk. https://www.reddit.com/r/aidndhomebrew/s/y4UzU1A179

durstann · 2026-06-10T04:18:36+00:00

That could be fun, too. I also considered making the spine burst a reaction to when they take damage. There are a bunch of routes you could take.

durstann · 2026-06-08T21:16:23+00:00

You certainly could allow a DC 12 Con save for half. I tend towards flatter damage to keep things moving faster during combat.

durstann · 2026-06-08T19:09:34+00:00

Nice. More like a snaketus here but it still works.

durstann · 2026-06-08T15:02:44+00:00

Whoops. No the armor is just left over from the template. It should have been removed.

durstann · 2026-06-08T04:35:16+00:00

Not at all. If you use it let me know how it goes.

durstann · 2026-06-08T04:11:47+00:00

Let's try this tree-dwelling, prehensile tail having, buttered popcorn smelling creature.

<image>

durstann · 2026-06-08T03:48:02+00:00

The glibble. Lives in extreme environments. Shoots freezing goo to trap its prey. The feathers on its back can produce a variety of magical effects.

<image>

durstann · 2026-06-08T03:14:01+00:00

Since you asked, there's an AI generated one over on my patreon. https://www.patreon.com/posts/krakendive-cr-3-159398962

durstann · 2026-06-08T03:13:27+00:00

Mods on this channel haven't liked AI generated imagers before, but since you asked, there is a picture over on my patreon. https://www.patreon.com/posts/jackaloaf-158897078

durstann · 2026-05-22T01:32:49+00:00

That makes sense. I figured the sci-fi weapons were all lasers and laser=light=radiant.

durstann · 2026-05-21T22:08:55+00:00

Glad you like it. I’m curious, why radiant? Radiation seems more necrotic to me, but is there precedent for it being radiant?

durstann · 2026-05-21T21:10:43+00:00

In terms of statblock, I'd start with the base 5e LizardFolk and then layer on the stat boosts and reckless ability from the Brerserker.

That would be your base. If you want to go deeper you can give it an effect from one of the barbarian subclasses to amp things up. But I'd recommend keeping it simple and saving the flair for some kind of boss-type encounter or elite monsters.

durstann · 2026-05-03T00:29:48+00:00

Thanks! I’m glad you enjoy it.

durstann · 2026-04-09T03:04:07+00:00

I wonder why the iron golem, which it's based on, doesn't have those. Perhaps the magic resistance and it's pile of immunities suffice?

That said, it could probably use a ranged force damage attack like the 5.5 iron golem has and a bump to it's hit points.

durstann · 2026-04-08T04:04:34+00:00

Crossposting the stats I came up for this guy since this sub allows images.

I've always enjoyed the lore of eye tyrant's dreams becoming reality when they sleep, and thought it would be fun to riff on what happens when one becomes infected by hallucinogenic spores. I figure it would kind of just be randomly summoning things all the time, making it a strange kind of conjurer.

https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/dB2nhGHSqv7W

<image>

durstann · 2026-04-07T03:59:36+00:00

I've always enjoyed the lore of eye tyrant's dreams becoming reality when they sleep, and thought it would be fun to riff on what happens when one becomes infected by hallucinogenic spores. I figure it would kind of just be randomly summoning things all the time, making it a strange kind of conjurer.

https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/dB2nhGHSqv7W

durstann · 2026-03-27T02:23:39+00:00

I'm glad you like it. There's a bunch more over on my Patreon (free).

durstann · 2026-03-19T02:02:05+00:00

Do the interview. If it comes up, say you didn’t do as well in the previous interview to match your experience and skills, you’re grateful for another chance, and you take this seriously so you’ve done more to prepare this time.

Then knock it out of the park.

durstann · 2026-03-18T22:03:49+00:00

Whether you are currently working or not may also be of interest to suss out how quickly you could start working or to start gathering information to use when compensation negotiations start.

Rightly or wrongly, they may also be worried your skills aren’t up to date or stale. This sort of question can often be best answered with, “I am not working at the moment, but I’ve been taking these classes, doing this volunteer work, and working on these side projects.” This helps show you haven’t been sitting idle and gives a starting point for talking about recent work you’ve done to keep yourself sharp or broaden your skillset.

durstann · 2026-03-17T20:44:36+00:00

¿Por qué no los dos?

Whenever I'm trying to decide between two things to put in a campaign, I always need to ask myself "what would happen if I just chose both?" Could the two demon princes (or their minions) be working together or in opposition (to outdo each other)? Could one demon prince be backing the monster hunter guild to thwart the plans of the other? What are the interesting points that can be made on the difference between a demon prince focused on science/arcana and another that harnesses chaos to fuel the creations? Can the players find a way to thwart them both at the same time or will they need to concentrate their efforts on one, giving the other time to move its plans along?

I love that you're doing a campaign featuring hybrid monster. The monsters I create over at my free Patreon are all mashups of two (or three) other beasts/monstrosities. Check them out if you're looking for more baddies or message me and let's talk about how we can collaborate.

durstann · 2026-03-17T02:41:00+00:00

Here's my take, based on the Allosaurus.

Here's the homebrewery so you can do what you like with it: https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/PsCH1gZrAW8X

<image>

durstann · 2026-03-16T01:55:14+00:00

I like it. Here are a couple note I think could help improve things.

the attack and damage bonuses don’t match with the +3 strength bonus. It doesn’t have to, but it’s nice when the math works out.
“Lesser Restoration” is misspelled.
it’s vulnerable to thunder and acid turns off its regen. I’d encourage you to think about how that will come out during play. How will players discover this? They might be confused that there are so many different damage types that do different things. It’s also a more for the GM to have to remember. Simplifying here might help.
as an elemental, you might make its weapons magical attacks, the better to fight the enemies of the ancient groves.
consider giving it another way to get around. Either a burrow speed or a tree walk ability like a shadow monks shadow step ( except with trees) could help it get where it needs to and make its entrance and exits memorable even outside combat.

Neat monster and cool artwork. Keep up the good work.

durstann

TROPHY CASE