There are plenty of different genres of adventure a Dungeon Master can run inDungeons & Dragons. Each of them has its own appeal, not to mention different monsters to fight, varying tones, and even different plots that are popular.
It all just depends on what kind of adventure your players want to have. But, if they’re looking for a gritty, realistic, and often eerie campaign, then look no further than the genre of grimdark. If that sounds like a fun time for you and your friends, then check out these monsters that are perfect for a grimdark campaign.
10Oathbreaker Paladin
No Loyalty Here
The grimdark setting is perfect for harsh folk who have run afoul of the powers that call the world home. What better way to show this off than withan Oathbreaker paladin? They can be a great encounter all to themselves, not to mention a mini-boss or BBEG.
A Paladin who has eschewed the god they once served is a powerful foe and one that some of your characters may have some background reasons for defeating. Look to the classic fantasy dark knights for any inspiration here.
9Zombies
Grimdark campaigns are often grueling and bloody, and Zombies are a great enemy to show off that side of things. Not only do they strike fear into the hearts of those who see them, but in a group, they can be a real menace despite their low stats.
There are a handful of ways to play a Zombie or even a horde. Make sure to understand how they got there and what the stakes are of coming in contact with one. Contagious or not, they’re gory enough to be a memorable enemy.
8Mimics
They’re Everywhere
No one says you have to ignore the classics when going with a different genre of D&D campaign. Mimics are not only a classic D&D monster, but they’re also one of the more despicable ones out there for players to run into.
In a fair fight, they don’t do much, but when they catch a party by surprise, they can be devastating. By using them early on, your party will instantly feel on edge and untrusting of the areas they travel through, perfect for a grimdark campaign.
7Fiends
They’re Called That For A Reason
Often grimdark campaigns fall in line with the low fantasy genre for being less magic-oriented and more focused on combat. That doesn’t mean, though, you may’t tap into some of the more magical portions of D&D, like the Fiends of the Lower Planes, for example.
These powerful entities are also a great way of explaining why your setting is so dark and uninviting. Maybe a high-ranking Fiend has cursed the mortal realms? Regardless of which type of Fiend you choose, they definitely won’t be wishing your party well.
6Bandits
A Classic Encounter
No matter what adventure you want to run in D&D, it feels amiss to leave out the classic Bandit encounter. They’re so universally evil, or just uncaring, that they fit into nearly any campaign. So why not your grimdark one, too?
Whether they’re a consistent threat or just a one-off group of highwaymen, Bandits don’t have any qualms about picking a fight. They’re also great because of the wide range of goals and grouping you can have in your encounter. Archers, melee fighters, mages, or all the above!
In a grimdark setting, it isn’t a bad idea to beef up your average Bandit encounter to raise the stakes a bit.
5Hags
Not Your Average Witch
Cruel, gruesome, and definitely evil,Hags won’t seem out of placein a grimdark adventure of any kind. Hags sometimes get overlooked for some of the more creative or classic monsters out there, but they’re quite a creature to come across.
Whether solo or in a coven, Hags employ plenty of magic abilities, not to mention they usually have a solid HP pool to boot. You don’t even have to begin with combat, as Hags often like to try and trick their quarry before resorting to fighting.
With all the different types of Hags, it can help to do some research about what each specializes in and where they are often found before settling on any specific kind.
4Boneless
All Skin And, Well… Skin
One of the monsters fromVan Richten’s Guide To Ravenloft, the Boneless is a monster that no one will forget any time soon. Sort of the opposite of an evil skeleton (except still evil), Boneless are keen on ambushing their prey at any chance they get.
They may not be the sturdiest monsters, but they pack a punch and are surprisingly resistant to damage, on top of being able to squeeze into small spaces. They’re gross creatures, which makes them perfect for your next grimdark setting.
Nearly any monster from Van Richten’s Guide To Ravenloft is a great fit for any grimdark setting if you need more ideas.
3Rust Monsters
Watch Your Weapons
There are few monsters out there in the various source books that draw as much ire as the Rust Monster. If you don’t know much about them, then at first glance, they seem like nothing more than a medium-sized insectoid monster.
Which is true, they are that. But, their abilities are where things get interesting. They eat nonmagical metal items and have the ability (Rust Metal) to instantly degrade your metal weapons and armor on contact, which makes every encounter with them high-risk.
This is a great monster for showing your players the stakes of a grimdark adventure, but it can be kind to teach that lesson at low levels, at first, where weapons can be replaced more easily.
2Black Pudding
Not So Delicious
It’s an odd name for a monster, but Black Puddings should not be overlooked by a GM or players. They are oozes, much like Gelatinous Cubes and similar monsters, but they pack a bit more of a punch than your typical ooze.
Its Corrosive Form ability makes it quite similar to the Rust Monsters, which means any non-magical equipment is in danger, but they also do a pretty severe amount of damage to living beings with their pseudopod attacks in addition. A single Black Pudding is enough to change the tone of an entire encounter.
1Elder Brain
Wise, And Deadly
Illithids often strike fear into any player that encounters them. Elder Brains are doubly scary for a handful of reasons. The obvious part of this is that they’re giant tentacled brains, which tonally makes them a great BBEG for your grimdark adventure.
They also very much want the brains of your entire party. Deadly psionics, the ability to telepathically manipulate and speak to monsters for hundreds of feet, and the fact that they often have entire Illithid clans backing them means they’re a plotline in and of themselves.
