How can I modify a wolf enemy to fit my campaign?











up vote
25
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I'm trying to get into DMing and my buddy who always DMs for us offered to teach me. He wants me to create a 2 hour long adventure that he and I will run through with me as the DM.



My problem is that I don't really know what I'm doing, I've got the basic story down (it takes place in a large mushroom forest which has recently been corrupted by a mysterious force which he has to track down and confront in order to free the village within that's been under siege).



I've been looking through the Monster Manual for something to fit in the forest and thought some mutated wolves would be perfect for the setting. When I say mutant wolf, all I really mean is a modified wolf with something like a large eye that is on its side, or a tentacle or two sticking out of a leg - just stuff to make it look abnormal and out of place, in addition to being a stronger wolf that can serve as a suitable fight to kinda kick off the forest venture.



How would I go about this? I have the information of the wolf up (its stats and whatnot) but I don't really know how to go about modifying it. Is there some sort of procedure I can follow?










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  • 11




    What levels will your players be, and how many of them are there?
    – GreySage
    Nov 27 at 17:51










  • As well, what level of difficulty should this wolf be for your party to fight? Easy, moderate, difficult, life threatening etc.
    – DMate
    Nov 27 at 17:57






  • 1




    Do you or your friend DM have the DMG? It was brought to my attention today that a lot of people don't get, or don't have, the DMG.
    – KorvinStarmast
    Nov 27 at 18:11






  • 1




    Glad to hear the answers helped you make up your mind. If wo, I'd suggest you accept the one that helped you most. It helps those who will come to this question later and it helps the system understand that this question has been successfully answered.
    – 3C273
    Nov 28 at 15:22






  • 1




    No need to edit "thanks" into the question itself. We generally just assume that. If you want to say thanks in a more personal way, try Role-playing Games Chat.
    – mattdm
    Nov 28 at 21:05















up vote
25
down vote

favorite












I'm trying to get into DMing and my buddy who always DMs for us offered to teach me. He wants me to create a 2 hour long adventure that he and I will run through with me as the DM.



My problem is that I don't really know what I'm doing, I've got the basic story down (it takes place in a large mushroom forest which has recently been corrupted by a mysterious force which he has to track down and confront in order to free the village within that's been under siege).



I've been looking through the Monster Manual for something to fit in the forest and thought some mutated wolves would be perfect for the setting. When I say mutant wolf, all I really mean is a modified wolf with something like a large eye that is on its side, or a tentacle or two sticking out of a leg - just stuff to make it look abnormal and out of place, in addition to being a stronger wolf that can serve as a suitable fight to kinda kick off the forest venture.



How would I go about this? I have the information of the wolf up (its stats and whatnot) but I don't really know how to go about modifying it. Is there some sort of procedure I can follow?










share|improve this question




















  • 11




    What levels will your players be, and how many of them are there?
    – GreySage
    Nov 27 at 17:51










  • As well, what level of difficulty should this wolf be for your party to fight? Easy, moderate, difficult, life threatening etc.
    – DMate
    Nov 27 at 17:57






  • 1




    Do you or your friend DM have the DMG? It was brought to my attention today that a lot of people don't get, or don't have, the DMG.
    – KorvinStarmast
    Nov 27 at 18:11






  • 1




    Glad to hear the answers helped you make up your mind. If wo, I'd suggest you accept the one that helped you most. It helps those who will come to this question later and it helps the system understand that this question has been successfully answered.
    – 3C273
    Nov 28 at 15:22






  • 1




    No need to edit "thanks" into the question itself. We generally just assume that. If you want to say thanks in a more personal way, try Role-playing Games Chat.
    – mattdm
    Nov 28 at 21:05













up vote
25
down vote

favorite









up vote
25
down vote

favorite











I'm trying to get into DMing and my buddy who always DMs for us offered to teach me. He wants me to create a 2 hour long adventure that he and I will run through with me as the DM.



My problem is that I don't really know what I'm doing, I've got the basic story down (it takes place in a large mushroom forest which has recently been corrupted by a mysterious force which he has to track down and confront in order to free the village within that's been under siege).



I've been looking through the Monster Manual for something to fit in the forest and thought some mutated wolves would be perfect for the setting. When I say mutant wolf, all I really mean is a modified wolf with something like a large eye that is on its side, or a tentacle or two sticking out of a leg - just stuff to make it look abnormal and out of place, in addition to being a stronger wolf that can serve as a suitable fight to kinda kick off the forest venture.



How would I go about this? I have the information of the wolf up (its stats and whatnot) but I don't really know how to go about modifying it. Is there some sort of procedure I can follow?










share|improve this question















I'm trying to get into DMing and my buddy who always DMs for us offered to teach me. He wants me to create a 2 hour long adventure that he and I will run through with me as the DM.



My problem is that I don't really know what I'm doing, I've got the basic story down (it takes place in a large mushroom forest which has recently been corrupted by a mysterious force which he has to track down and confront in order to free the village within that's been under siege).



I've been looking through the Monster Manual for something to fit in the forest and thought some mutated wolves would be perfect for the setting. When I say mutant wolf, all I really mean is a modified wolf with something like a large eye that is on its side, or a tentacle or two sticking out of a leg - just stuff to make it look abnormal and out of place, in addition to being a stronger wolf that can serve as a suitable fight to kinda kick off the forest venture.



How would I go about this? I have the information of the wolf up (its stats and whatnot) but I don't really know how to go about modifying it. Is there some sort of procedure I can follow?







dnd-5e monster-design






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edited Dec 16 at 20:18









V2Blast

19k252117




19k252117










asked Nov 27 at 17:42









Aoi

338210




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  • 11




    What levels will your players be, and how many of them are there?
    – GreySage
    Nov 27 at 17:51










  • As well, what level of difficulty should this wolf be for your party to fight? Easy, moderate, difficult, life threatening etc.
    – DMate
    Nov 27 at 17:57






  • 1




    Do you or your friend DM have the DMG? It was brought to my attention today that a lot of people don't get, or don't have, the DMG.
    – KorvinStarmast
    Nov 27 at 18:11






  • 1




    Glad to hear the answers helped you make up your mind. If wo, I'd suggest you accept the one that helped you most. It helps those who will come to this question later and it helps the system understand that this question has been successfully answered.
    – 3C273
    Nov 28 at 15:22






  • 1




    No need to edit "thanks" into the question itself. We generally just assume that. If you want to say thanks in a more personal way, try Role-playing Games Chat.
    – mattdm
    Nov 28 at 21:05














  • 11




    What levels will your players be, and how many of them are there?
    – GreySage
    Nov 27 at 17:51










  • As well, what level of difficulty should this wolf be for your party to fight? Easy, moderate, difficult, life threatening etc.
    – DMate
    Nov 27 at 17:57






  • 1




    Do you or your friend DM have the DMG? It was brought to my attention today that a lot of people don't get, or don't have, the DMG.
    – KorvinStarmast
    Nov 27 at 18:11






  • 1




    Glad to hear the answers helped you make up your mind. If wo, I'd suggest you accept the one that helped you most. It helps those who will come to this question later and it helps the system understand that this question has been successfully answered.
    – 3C273
    Nov 28 at 15:22






  • 1




    No need to edit "thanks" into the question itself. We generally just assume that. If you want to say thanks in a more personal way, try Role-playing Games Chat.
    – mattdm
    Nov 28 at 21:05








11




11




What levels will your players be, and how many of them are there?
– GreySage
Nov 27 at 17:51




What levels will your players be, and how many of them are there?
– GreySage
Nov 27 at 17:51












As well, what level of difficulty should this wolf be for your party to fight? Easy, moderate, difficult, life threatening etc.
– DMate
Nov 27 at 17:57




As well, what level of difficulty should this wolf be for your party to fight? Easy, moderate, difficult, life threatening etc.
– DMate
Nov 27 at 17:57




1




1




Do you or your friend DM have the DMG? It was brought to my attention today that a lot of people don't get, or don't have, the DMG.
– KorvinStarmast
Nov 27 at 18:11




Do you or your friend DM have the DMG? It was brought to my attention today that a lot of people don't get, or don't have, the DMG.
– KorvinStarmast
Nov 27 at 18:11




1




1




Glad to hear the answers helped you make up your mind. If wo, I'd suggest you accept the one that helped you most. It helps those who will come to this question later and it helps the system understand that this question has been successfully answered.
– 3C273
Nov 28 at 15:22




Glad to hear the answers helped you make up your mind. If wo, I'd suggest you accept the one that helped you most. It helps those who will come to this question later and it helps the system understand that this question has been successfully answered.
– 3C273
Nov 28 at 15:22




1




1




No need to edit "thanks" into the question itself. We generally just assume that. If you want to say thanks in a more personal way, try Role-playing Games Chat.
– mattdm
Nov 28 at 21:05




No need to edit "thanks" into the question itself. We generally just assume that. If you want to say thanks in a more personal way, try Role-playing Games Chat.
– mattdm
Nov 28 at 21:05










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
72
down vote



accepted










For a first adventure, don’t. Don’t start modifying monsters.



In time you’ll be able to judge how tough monsters are, and what to throw at your players. There is a procedure for making and modifying monsters in the Dungeon Master’s Guide, but it requires some experience and judgement to use. But you don’t have the experience to make those judgements yet. I can tell because…



A bunch of wolves are already a challenge for a first adventure. You’ll risk killing your PCs a lot if you throw stronger wolves at them.



Just use normal wolves and describe them and their attacks as mutated. They don’t need to be stronger.






share|improve this answer



















  • 22




    "describe them as mutated" was exactly what I was about to suggest. You'd be surprised how impactful a difference of description makes for a monster.
    – goodguy5
    Nov 27 at 17:59






  • 7




    Yup, keep the stat block and just describe the monster and its attacks to fit the desired flavor. Instead of pouncing to grapple maybe the wolf wraps a tentacle and brings the hapless adventurer right up to its massive mutant eye.
    – PeskyToaster
    Nov 27 at 19:24






  • 1




    As an alternative to the workflow in the DMG, Angry GM has a nice (albeit long) tutorial that is almost certainly a better starting point. (Warning: very explicit language)
    – Rogem
    Nov 28 at 13:56












  • Slight followup: Is there any harm to "inventing" new attacks which are really just clones of the attack the wolf already has? For example, if the wolf has a tentacle growing out of it, say "the wolf whips it tentacle at you", then just roll as if it made a standard bite attack? That might help the players feel like they're fighting some unique enemy without actually modifying its stats
    – Lord Farquaad
    Nov 29 at 18:47








  • 1




    @LordFarquaad Sure, the description of the wolves as mutated can include how they move, attack, etc. (I made a slight edit to that end.)
    – SevenSidedDie
    Nov 29 at 18:53




















up vote
19
down vote













The Dungeon Master's Guide is your friend



Chapter 9 of the DMG covers both Modifying Monsters and Creating Monsters. That's the best place to start for what you're trying to do.



Otherwise, have fun, get creative, and be open to adjusting the monster on the fly if it's not turning out the way you expected (too difficult or not difficult enough.)



Using a third party tool like the Kobold Fight Club can also help in determining if your monster(s) are too much or too little.



Try to stay vanilla at first



But I also would recommend against too much homebrew to start with. You're learning the ropes and sticking with official monsters will be easier for you to manage with the baseline developed by WoTC.






share|improve this answer




























    up vote
    15
    down vote













    Consider the power of descriptions over stats, here.



    Don't make extra work for yourself. Whenever you're thinking of using a custom monster, flip through the Monster Manual first to see if there's anything that resembles what you want. You want a stronger wolf? Look at the Dire Wolf stat block. You can alter the description of the monster to whatever you want without needing to change any stats. Tell the party they see a wolf with tentacles growing out of its leg and a massive eye growing on its side, but use the Dire Wolf stat block.



    Remember that as the DM, you are providing all of the information about the world that the players receive. If you tell them that they see a wolf-like monster with tentacles and an extra eye, then that's what they see regardless of the stat block you're using for that monster.






    share|improve this answer




























      up vote
      3
      down vote













      This answer is basically also "stay vanilla" but with an interesting addition:



      Instead of modifying wolfes (which will be too hard probably) simply take other vanilla monsters of similar difficulty and flavor them to be wolves.
      So copy the stats and attacks from the Monster Manual but ignore ALL the text that is not a description of mechanics.



      Need something ranged?
      Take a goblin archer, but say it's a semi werewolf throwing stones.
      That way you have what you want - a different wolf - but with balanced stats.
      Just make sure that you describe said wolf in a way that lets the players expect a ranged attack from him.
      [Analogue for bosses, caster (sentient wolf-shaman?), many disposable enemys (young or degenerated wolfes), whatever, get creative!]



      Since you are new as a DM your friends hopefully will know not to poke at every small logical hole your story may have.






      share|improve this answer





















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        4 Answers
        4






        active

        oldest

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        4 Answers
        4






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes








        up vote
        72
        down vote



        accepted










        For a first adventure, don’t. Don’t start modifying monsters.



        In time you’ll be able to judge how tough monsters are, and what to throw at your players. There is a procedure for making and modifying monsters in the Dungeon Master’s Guide, but it requires some experience and judgement to use. But you don’t have the experience to make those judgements yet. I can tell because…



        A bunch of wolves are already a challenge for a first adventure. You’ll risk killing your PCs a lot if you throw stronger wolves at them.



        Just use normal wolves and describe them and their attacks as mutated. They don’t need to be stronger.






        share|improve this answer



















        • 22




          "describe them as mutated" was exactly what I was about to suggest. You'd be surprised how impactful a difference of description makes for a monster.
          – goodguy5
          Nov 27 at 17:59






        • 7




          Yup, keep the stat block and just describe the monster and its attacks to fit the desired flavor. Instead of pouncing to grapple maybe the wolf wraps a tentacle and brings the hapless adventurer right up to its massive mutant eye.
          – PeskyToaster
          Nov 27 at 19:24






        • 1




          As an alternative to the workflow in the DMG, Angry GM has a nice (albeit long) tutorial that is almost certainly a better starting point. (Warning: very explicit language)
          – Rogem
          Nov 28 at 13:56












        • Slight followup: Is there any harm to "inventing" new attacks which are really just clones of the attack the wolf already has? For example, if the wolf has a tentacle growing out of it, say "the wolf whips it tentacle at you", then just roll as if it made a standard bite attack? That might help the players feel like they're fighting some unique enemy without actually modifying its stats
          – Lord Farquaad
          Nov 29 at 18:47








        • 1




          @LordFarquaad Sure, the description of the wolves as mutated can include how they move, attack, etc. (I made a slight edit to that end.)
          – SevenSidedDie
          Nov 29 at 18:53

















        up vote
        72
        down vote



        accepted










        For a first adventure, don’t. Don’t start modifying monsters.



        In time you’ll be able to judge how tough monsters are, and what to throw at your players. There is a procedure for making and modifying monsters in the Dungeon Master’s Guide, but it requires some experience and judgement to use. But you don’t have the experience to make those judgements yet. I can tell because…



        A bunch of wolves are already a challenge for a first adventure. You’ll risk killing your PCs a lot if you throw stronger wolves at them.



        Just use normal wolves and describe them and their attacks as mutated. They don’t need to be stronger.






        share|improve this answer



















        • 22




          "describe them as mutated" was exactly what I was about to suggest. You'd be surprised how impactful a difference of description makes for a monster.
          – goodguy5
          Nov 27 at 17:59






        • 7




          Yup, keep the stat block and just describe the monster and its attacks to fit the desired flavor. Instead of pouncing to grapple maybe the wolf wraps a tentacle and brings the hapless adventurer right up to its massive mutant eye.
          – PeskyToaster
          Nov 27 at 19:24






        • 1




          As an alternative to the workflow in the DMG, Angry GM has a nice (albeit long) tutorial that is almost certainly a better starting point. (Warning: very explicit language)
          – Rogem
          Nov 28 at 13:56












        • Slight followup: Is there any harm to "inventing" new attacks which are really just clones of the attack the wolf already has? For example, if the wolf has a tentacle growing out of it, say "the wolf whips it tentacle at you", then just roll as if it made a standard bite attack? That might help the players feel like they're fighting some unique enemy without actually modifying its stats
          – Lord Farquaad
          Nov 29 at 18:47








        • 1




          @LordFarquaad Sure, the description of the wolves as mutated can include how they move, attack, etc. (I made a slight edit to that end.)
          – SevenSidedDie
          Nov 29 at 18:53















        up vote
        72
        down vote



        accepted







        up vote
        72
        down vote



        accepted






        For a first adventure, don’t. Don’t start modifying monsters.



        In time you’ll be able to judge how tough monsters are, and what to throw at your players. There is a procedure for making and modifying monsters in the Dungeon Master’s Guide, but it requires some experience and judgement to use. But you don’t have the experience to make those judgements yet. I can tell because…



        A bunch of wolves are already a challenge for a first adventure. You’ll risk killing your PCs a lot if you throw stronger wolves at them.



        Just use normal wolves and describe them and their attacks as mutated. They don’t need to be stronger.






        share|improve this answer














        For a first adventure, don’t. Don’t start modifying monsters.



        In time you’ll be able to judge how tough monsters are, and what to throw at your players. There is a procedure for making and modifying monsters in the Dungeon Master’s Guide, but it requires some experience and judgement to use. But you don’t have the experience to make those judgements yet. I can tell because…



        A bunch of wolves are already a challenge for a first adventure. You’ll risk killing your PCs a lot if you throw stronger wolves at them.



        Just use normal wolves and describe them and their attacks as mutated. They don’t need to be stronger.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited Nov 29 at 18:52

























        answered Nov 27 at 17:54









        SevenSidedDie

        204k28656931




        204k28656931








        • 22




          "describe them as mutated" was exactly what I was about to suggest. You'd be surprised how impactful a difference of description makes for a monster.
          – goodguy5
          Nov 27 at 17:59






        • 7




          Yup, keep the stat block and just describe the monster and its attacks to fit the desired flavor. Instead of pouncing to grapple maybe the wolf wraps a tentacle and brings the hapless adventurer right up to its massive mutant eye.
          – PeskyToaster
          Nov 27 at 19:24






        • 1




          As an alternative to the workflow in the DMG, Angry GM has a nice (albeit long) tutorial that is almost certainly a better starting point. (Warning: very explicit language)
          – Rogem
          Nov 28 at 13:56












        • Slight followup: Is there any harm to "inventing" new attacks which are really just clones of the attack the wolf already has? For example, if the wolf has a tentacle growing out of it, say "the wolf whips it tentacle at you", then just roll as if it made a standard bite attack? That might help the players feel like they're fighting some unique enemy without actually modifying its stats
          – Lord Farquaad
          Nov 29 at 18:47








        • 1




          @LordFarquaad Sure, the description of the wolves as mutated can include how they move, attack, etc. (I made a slight edit to that end.)
          – SevenSidedDie
          Nov 29 at 18:53
















        • 22




          "describe them as mutated" was exactly what I was about to suggest. You'd be surprised how impactful a difference of description makes for a monster.
          – goodguy5
          Nov 27 at 17:59






        • 7




          Yup, keep the stat block and just describe the monster and its attacks to fit the desired flavor. Instead of pouncing to grapple maybe the wolf wraps a tentacle and brings the hapless adventurer right up to its massive mutant eye.
          – PeskyToaster
          Nov 27 at 19:24






        • 1




          As an alternative to the workflow in the DMG, Angry GM has a nice (albeit long) tutorial that is almost certainly a better starting point. (Warning: very explicit language)
          – Rogem
          Nov 28 at 13:56












        • Slight followup: Is there any harm to "inventing" new attacks which are really just clones of the attack the wolf already has? For example, if the wolf has a tentacle growing out of it, say "the wolf whips it tentacle at you", then just roll as if it made a standard bite attack? That might help the players feel like they're fighting some unique enemy without actually modifying its stats
          – Lord Farquaad
          Nov 29 at 18:47








        • 1




          @LordFarquaad Sure, the description of the wolves as mutated can include how they move, attack, etc. (I made a slight edit to that end.)
          – SevenSidedDie
          Nov 29 at 18:53










        22




        22




        "describe them as mutated" was exactly what I was about to suggest. You'd be surprised how impactful a difference of description makes for a monster.
        – goodguy5
        Nov 27 at 17:59




        "describe them as mutated" was exactly what I was about to suggest. You'd be surprised how impactful a difference of description makes for a monster.
        – goodguy5
        Nov 27 at 17:59




        7




        7




        Yup, keep the stat block and just describe the monster and its attacks to fit the desired flavor. Instead of pouncing to grapple maybe the wolf wraps a tentacle and brings the hapless adventurer right up to its massive mutant eye.
        – PeskyToaster
        Nov 27 at 19:24




        Yup, keep the stat block and just describe the monster and its attacks to fit the desired flavor. Instead of pouncing to grapple maybe the wolf wraps a tentacle and brings the hapless adventurer right up to its massive mutant eye.
        – PeskyToaster
        Nov 27 at 19:24




        1




        1




        As an alternative to the workflow in the DMG, Angry GM has a nice (albeit long) tutorial that is almost certainly a better starting point. (Warning: very explicit language)
        – Rogem
        Nov 28 at 13:56






        As an alternative to the workflow in the DMG, Angry GM has a nice (albeit long) tutorial that is almost certainly a better starting point. (Warning: very explicit language)
        – Rogem
        Nov 28 at 13:56














        Slight followup: Is there any harm to "inventing" new attacks which are really just clones of the attack the wolf already has? For example, if the wolf has a tentacle growing out of it, say "the wolf whips it tentacle at you", then just roll as if it made a standard bite attack? That might help the players feel like they're fighting some unique enemy without actually modifying its stats
        – Lord Farquaad
        Nov 29 at 18:47






        Slight followup: Is there any harm to "inventing" new attacks which are really just clones of the attack the wolf already has? For example, if the wolf has a tentacle growing out of it, say "the wolf whips it tentacle at you", then just roll as if it made a standard bite attack? That might help the players feel like they're fighting some unique enemy without actually modifying its stats
        – Lord Farquaad
        Nov 29 at 18:47






        1




        1




        @LordFarquaad Sure, the description of the wolves as mutated can include how they move, attack, etc. (I made a slight edit to that end.)
        – SevenSidedDie
        Nov 29 at 18:53






        @LordFarquaad Sure, the description of the wolves as mutated can include how they move, attack, etc. (I made a slight edit to that end.)
        – SevenSidedDie
        Nov 29 at 18:53














        up vote
        19
        down vote













        The Dungeon Master's Guide is your friend



        Chapter 9 of the DMG covers both Modifying Monsters and Creating Monsters. That's the best place to start for what you're trying to do.



        Otherwise, have fun, get creative, and be open to adjusting the monster on the fly if it's not turning out the way you expected (too difficult or not difficult enough.)



        Using a third party tool like the Kobold Fight Club can also help in determining if your monster(s) are too much or too little.



        Try to stay vanilla at first



        But I also would recommend against too much homebrew to start with. You're learning the ropes and sticking with official monsters will be easier for you to manage with the baseline developed by WoTC.






        share|improve this answer

























          up vote
          19
          down vote













          The Dungeon Master's Guide is your friend



          Chapter 9 of the DMG covers both Modifying Monsters and Creating Monsters. That's the best place to start for what you're trying to do.



          Otherwise, have fun, get creative, and be open to adjusting the monster on the fly if it's not turning out the way you expected (too difficult or not difficult enough.)



          Using a third party tool like the Kobold Fight Club can also help in determining if your monster(s) are too much or too little.



          Try to stay vanilla at first



          But I also would recommend against too much homebrew to start with. You're learning the ropes and sticking with official monsters will be easier for you to manage with the baseline developed by WoTC.






          share|improve this answer























            up vote
            19
            down vote










            up vote
            19
            down vote









            The Dungeon Master's Guide is your friend



            Chapter 9 of the DMG covers both Modifying Monsters and Creating Monsters. That's the best place to start for what you're trying to do.



            Otherwise, have fun, get creative, and be open to adjusting the monster on the fly if it's not turning out the way you expected (too difficult or not difficult enough.)



            Using a third party tool like the Kobold Fight Club can also help in determining if your monster(s) are too much or too little.



            Try to stay vanilla at first



            But I also would recommend against too much homebrew to start with. You're learning the ropes and sticking with official monsters will be easier for you to manage with the baseline developed by WoTC.






            share|improve this answer












            The Dungeon Master's Guide is your friend



            Chapter 9 of the DMG covers both Modifying Monsters and Creating Monsters. That's the best place to start for what you're trying to do.



            Otherwise, have fun, get creative, and be open to adjusting the monster on the fly if it's not turning out the way you expected (too difficult or not difficult enough.)



            Using a third party tool like the Kobold Fight Club can also help in determining if your monster(s) are too much or too little.



            Try to stay vanilla at first



            But I also would recommend against too much homebrew to start with. You're learning the ropes and sticking with official monsters will be easier for you to manage with the baseline developed by WoTC.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Nov 27 at 17:54









            NautArch

            52.7k8186355




            52.7k8186355






















                up vote
                15
                down vote













                Consider the power of descriptions over stats, here.



                Don't make extra work for yourself. Whenever you're thinking of using a custom monster, flip through the Monster Manual first to see if there's anything that resembles what you want. You want a stronger wolf? Look at the Dire Wolf stat block. You can alter the description of the monster to whatever you want without needing to change any stats. Tell the party they see a wolf with tentacles growing out of its leg and a massive eye growing on its side, but use the Dire Wolf stat block.



                Remember that as the DM, you are providing all of the information about the world that the players receive. If you tell them that they see a wolf-like monster with tentacles and an extra eye, then that's what they see regardless of the stat block you're using for that monster.






                share|improve this answer

























                  up vote
                  15
                  down vote













                  Consider the power of descriptions over stats, here.



                  Don't make extra work for yourself. Whenever you're thinking of using a custom monster, flip through the Monster Manual first to see if there's anything that resembles what you want. You want a stronger wolf? Look at the Dire Wolf stat block. You can alter the description of the monster to whatever you want without needing to change any stats. Tell the party they see a wolf with tentacles growing out of its leg and a massive eye growing on its side, but use the Dire Wolf stat block.



                  Remember that as the DM, you are providing all of the information about the world that the players receive. If you tell them that they see a wolf-like monster with tentacles and an extra eye, then that's what they see regardless of the stat block you're using for that monster.






                  share|improve this answer























                    up vote
                    15
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    15
                    down vote









                    Consider the power of descriptions over stats, here.



                    Don't make extra work for yourself. Whenever you're thinking of using a custom monster, flip through the Monster Manual first to see if there's anything that resembles what you want. You want a stronger wolf? Look at the Dire Wolf stat block. You can alter the description of the monster to whatever you want without needing to change any stats. Tell the party they see a wolf with tentacles growing out of its leg and a massive eye growing on its side, but use the Dire Wolf stat block.



                    Remember that as the DM, you are providing all of the information about the world that the players receive. If you tell them that they see a wolf-like monster with tentacles and an extra eye, then that's what they see regardless of the stat block you're using for that monster.






                    share|improve this answer












                    Consider the power of descriptions over stats, here.



                    Don't make extra work for yourself. Whenever you're thinking of using a custom monster, flip through the Monster Manual first to see if there's anything that resembles what you want. You want a stronger wolf? Look at the Dire Wolf stat block. You can alter the description of the monster to whatever you want without needing to change any stats. Tell the party they see a wolf with tentacles growing out of its leg and a massive eye growing on its side, but use the Dire Wolf stat block.



                    Remember that as the DM, you are providing all of the information about the world that the players receive. If you tell them that they see a wolf-like monster with tentacles and an extra eye, then that's what they see regardless of the stat block you're using for that monster.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Nov 27 at 18:45









                    user48255

                    2,632319




                    2,632319






















                        up vote
                        3
                        down vote













                        This answer is basically also "stay vanilla" but with an interesting addition:



                        Instead of modifying wolfes (which will be too hard probably) simply take other vanilla monsters of similar difficulty and flavor them to be wolves.
                        So copy the stats and attacks from the Monster Manual but ignore ALL the text that is not a description of mechanics.



                        Need something ranged?
                        Take a goblin archer, but say it's a semi werewolf throwing stones.
                        That way you have what you want - a different wolf - but with balanced stats.
                        Just make sure that you describe said wolf in a way that lets the players expect a ranged attack from him.
                        [Analogue for bosses, caster (sentient wolf-shaman?), many disposable enemys (young or degenerated wolfes), whatever, get creative!]



                        Since you are new as a DM your friends hopefully will know not to poke at every small logical hole your story may have.






                        share|improve this answer

























                          up vote
                          3
                          down vote













                          This answer is basically also "stay vanilla" but with an interesting addition:



                          Instead of modifying wolfes (which will be too hard probably) simply take other vanilla monsters of similar difficulty and flavor them to be wolves.
                          So copy the stats and attacks from the Monster Manual but ignore ALL the text that is not a description of mechanics.



                          Need something ranged?
                          Take a goblin archer, but say it's a semi werewolf throwing stones.
                          That way you have what you want - a different wolf - but with balanced stats.
                          Just make sure that you describe said wolf in a way that lets the players expect a ranged attack from him.
                          [Analogue for bosses, caster (sentient wolf-shaman?), many disposable enemys (young or degenerated wolfes), whatever, get creative!]



                          Since you are new as a DM your friends hopefully will know not to poke at every small logical hole your story may have.






                          share|improve this answer























                            up vote
                            3
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            3
                            down vote









                            This answer is basically also "stay vanilla" but with an interesting addition:



                            Instead of modifying wolfes (which will be too hard probably) simply take other vanilla monsters of similar difficulty and flavor them to be wolves.
                            So copy the stats and attacks from the Monster Manual but ignore ALL the text that is not a description of mechanics.



                            Need something ranged?
                            Take a goblin archer, but say it's a semi werewolf throwing stones.
                            That way you have what you want - a different wolf - but with balanced stats.
                            Just make sure that you describe said wolf in a way that lets the players expect a ranged attack from him.
                            [Analogue for bosses, caster (sentient wolf-shaman?), many disposable enemys (young or degenerated wolfes), whatever, get creative!]



                            Since you are new as a DM your friends hopefully will know not to poke at every small logical hole your story may have.






                            share|improve this answer












                            This answer is basically also "stay vanilla" but with an interesting addition:



                            Instead of modifying wolfes (which will be too hard probably) simply take other vanilla monsters of similar difficulty and flavor them to be wolves.
                            So copy the stats and attacks from the Monster Manual but ignore ALL the text that is not a description of mechanics.



                            Need something ranged?
                            Take a goblin archer, but say it's a semi werewolf throwing stones.
                            That way you have what you want - a different wolf - but with balanced stats.
                            Just make sure that you describe said wolf in a way that lets the players expect a ranged attack from him.
                            [Analogue for bosses, caster (sentient wolf-shaman?), many disposable enemys (young or degenerated wolfes), whatever, get creative!]



                            Since you are new as a DM your friends hopefully will know not to poke at every small logical hole your story may have.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered Nov 29 at 10:46









                            Hobbamok

                            1414




                            1414






























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