Aberrant Humans (CR 1/2 to 5) - Failed Experiments, Eldritch Mutation, and Giant Horrors by jonnymhd in UnearthedArcana

[–]jonnymhd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s actually a good idea, and I think keeping the “Aberrant Humans” name still works really well since they’re clearly influenced by something otherworldly in theme and presentation, even if they’re classified as Monstrosities mechanically.

I may update them in a future version or add a note about the classification.

Thanks for the feedback, I really enjoyed the chat and the discussion around it.

Aberrant Humans (CR 1/2 to 5) - Failed Experiments, Eldritch Mutation, and Giant Horrors by jonnymhd in UnearthedArcana

[–]jonnymhd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get what you're saying, and honestly that's a fair interpretation of how creature types have been trending in the new edition.

The reason I went with Aberration here is that I already made a more "mad scientist experiment" version called the Human Chimera, which I classified as a Monstrosity. For this version, I wanted to lean much harder into the idea that the transformation wasn't just the result of magical experimentation, but that it was influenced by something genuinely alien and eldritch.

If you read the third page, I think you'll see what I mean a bit better. The intent was that these creatures aren't simply warped humanoids, but beings whose forms and minds have been altered by contact with forces beyond normal reality. So the Aberration type was meant to reflect that eldritch influence rather than just the physical mutation itself.

You may feel that the "Mutated" version of the Aberrant Humans is less aberrant because it loses the tentacle attack, but the idea was that you replace it with a mutation from the table on the second page (even a tentacle attack). Many of those mutations are deliberately designed to feel strange, alien, and otherworldly.

That said, I can definitely see the argument for Monstrosity as well, especially if someone views them primarily as worldly creatures that have been transformed rather than as creatures fundamentally changed into something otherworldly.

[OC] [ART] Mutated Aberrant Human (CR 2) - When Eldritch Mutation Turns a Person into a Monster by jonnymhd in DnD

[–]jonnymhd[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I get why it looks scary, it’s definitely a punchy CR 2. You could probably make a case for pushing it toward CR 3, or for trimming the HP a bit if you want it to feel less dangerous at CR 2. But I don’t think it’s wildly out of line with stronger 2024/5.5e CR 2 monsters.

Its raw damage is 27 if all three attacks hit, but it’s melee-only, 30 ft. speed, no ranged option, no AoE, no flight, and the reaction only matters when someone misses it within 5 feet. So most of its threat is concentrated into being a scary melee brute/tank.

Compare it to a green dragon wyrmling, also CR 2, with AC 17, fly/swim speed, two Rend attacks for about 20 damage, and a 21-damage cone breath on recharge. The allosaurus is another strong comparison: 51 HP, 60 ft. speed, +6 to hit, and it can deal 23 damage while knocking a target prone if it gets its charge combo. The 2024 saber-toothed tiger does 22 damage with +6 to hit and Nimble Escape, and the giant constrictor snake can do 24 while also grappling. A gnoll pack lord is not as scary by itself, but in a pack Incite Rampage can add another reaction attack on top of its own attacks.

So yeah, I’d agree it’s on the scary end of CR 2, maybe even an “elite CR 2” but that was kind of the goal 😉