Quartz 5

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  • Creating a Monster Stat Block; Monster Features
    created: 2026-03-09T12:15:34.379-04:00
    modified: 2026-03-09T12:15:34.379-04:00
    published: 2026-03-09T12:15:34.379-04:00
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    cssclasses:
  • json5e-note
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Creating a Monster Stat Block; Monster Features

Source: Dungeon Master’s Guide p. 275

Monster Features

NameExample MonsterEffect on Challenge Rating
AggressiveOrcIncrease the monster’s effective per-round damage output by 2.
AmbusherDoppelgangerIncrease the monster’s effective attack bonus by 1.
AmorphousBlack pudding—
AmphibiousKuo-toa—
Angelic WeaponsDevaIncrease the monster’s effective per-round damage by the amount noted in the trait.
Antimagic SusceptibilityFlying sword—
AvoidanceDemilichIncrease the monster’s effective AC by 1.
Blind SensesGrimlock—
Blood FrenzySahuaginIncrease the monster’s effective attack bonus by 4.
Breath WeaponAncient black dragonFor the purpose of determining effective damage output, assume the breath weapon hits two targets, and that each target fails its saving throw.
BruteBugbearIncrease the monster’s effective per-round damage by the amount noted in the trait.
Chameleon SkinTroglodyte—
Change ShapeAncient brass dragon—
ChargeCentaurIncrease the monster’s damage on one attack by the amount noted in the trait.
CharmVampire—
ConstrictConstrictor snakeIncrease the monster’s effective AC by 1.
Damage AbsorptionFlesh golem—
Damage TransferCloakerDouble the monster’s effective hit points. Add one-third of the monster’s hit points to its per-round damage.
Death BurstMagminIncrease the monster’s effective damage output for 1 round by the amount noted in the trait, and assume it affects two creatures.
Devil SightBarbed devil—
DiveAarakocraIncrease the monster’s effective damage on one attack by the amount noted in the trait.
EcholocationHook horror—
Elemental BodyAzerIncrease the monster’s effective per-round damage by the amount noted in the trait.
EnlargeDuergarIncrease the monster’s effective per-round damage by the amount noted in the trait.
EtherealnessNight hag—
False AppearanceGargoyle—
Fey AncestryDrow—
Fiendish BlessingCambionApply the monster’s Charisma modifier to its actual AC.
FlybyPeryton—
Frightful PresenceAncient black dragonIncrease the monster’s effective hit points by 25% if the monster is meant to face characters of 10th level or lower.
GrapplerMimic—
Hold BreathLizardfolk—
Horrifying VisageBansheeSee Frightful Presence.
IlluminationFlameskull—
Illusory AppearanceGreen hag—
Immutable FormIron golem—
Incorporeal MovementGhost—
Innate SpellcastingDjinniSee step 13 under “Creating a Monster Stat Block.”
InscrutableAndrosphinx—
InvisibilityImp—
Keen SensesHell hound—
Labyrinthine RecallMinotaur—
LeadershipHobgoblin captain—
Legendary ResistanceAncient black dragonEach per-day use of this trait increases the monster’s effective hit points based on the expected challenge rating: 1-4, 10 hp: 5-10, 20 hp: 11 or higher, 30 hp.
Life DrainWight—
Light SensitivityShadow demon—
Magic ResistanceBalorIncrease the monster’s effective AC by 2.
Magic WeaponsBalor—
Martial AdvantageHobgoblinIncrease the effective damage of one attack per round by the amount gained from this trait.
MimicryKenku—
Nimble EscapeGoblinIncrease the monster’s effective AC and effective attack bonus by 4 (assuming the monster hides every round).
Otherworldly PerceptionKuo-toa—
Pack TacticsKoboldIncrease the monster’s effective attack bonus by 1.
ParryHobgoblin warlordIncrease the monster’s effective AC by 1.
PossessionGhostDouble the monster’s effective hit points.
PounceTigerIncrease the monster’s effective damage for 1 round by the amount it deals with the bonus action gained from this trait.
Psychic DefenseGithzerai monkApply the monster’s Wisdom modifier to its actual AC if the monster isn’t wearing armor or wielding a shield.
RampageGnollIncrease the monster’s effective per-round damage by 2.
ReactiveMarilith—
Read ThoughtsDoppelganger—
RecklessMinotaur—
Redirect AttackGoblin boss—
ReelRoper—
RegenerationTrollIncrease the monster’s effective hit points by 3 × the number of hit points the monster regenerates each round.
RejuvenationLich—
RelentlessWereboarIncrease the monster’s effective hit points based on the expected challenge rating: 1-4, 7 hp: 5-10, 14 hp: 11-16, 21 hp: 17 or higher, 28 hp.
Shadow StealthShadow demonIncrease the monster’s effective AC by 4.
ShapechangerWererat—
Siege MonsterEarth elemental—
SlipperyKuo-toa—
SpellcastingLichSee step 13 under “Creating a Monster Stat Block.”
Spider ClimbEttercap—
Standing LeapBullywug—
SteadfastBearded devil—
StenchTroglodyteIncrease the monster’s effective AC by 1.
Sunlight SensitivityKobold—
Superior InvisibilityFaerie dragonIncrease the monster’s effective AC by 2.
Sure-FootedDao—
Surprise AttackBugbearIncrease the monster’s effective damage for 1 round by the amount noted in the trait.
SwallowBehirAssume the monster swallows one creature and deals 2 rounds of acid damage to it.
TeleportBalor—
Terrain CamouflageBullywug—
TunnelerUmber hulk—
Turn ImmunityRevenant—
Turn ResistanceLich—
Two HeadsEttin—
Undead FortitudeZombieIncrease the monster’s effective hit points based on the expected challenge rating: 1-4, 7 hp: 5-10, 14 hp: 11-16, 21 hp: 17 or higher, 28 hp.
WebGiant spiderIncrease the monster’s effective AC by 1.
Web SenseGiant spider—
Web WalkerGiant spider—
Wounded FuryQuaggothIncrease the monster’s damage for 1 round by the amount noted in the trait.
^monster-features

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