Since its humble beginnings in 1974, the Dungeons & Dragons franchise has accumulated a myriad of unique monsters. Whether evoking fear or wonder, these fantastical creatures play a critical role in every campaign. Such remarkable oddities can act as stalwart allies or nefarious foes.

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Unfortunately, not every monster is transposed to new Dungeons & Dragons editions, even those that deserve to be. In truth, there are many venerable creatures from prior editions that do not appear in 5e. Such creatures boast compelling lore, formidable abilities, and distinct mechanics, meriting the return of these phenomenal monsters in 5e or future editions.

7 Astral Stalker

Dungeons & Dragons Astral Stalker
  • Editions: 3e, 4e
  • Type: Humanoid
  • Alignment: Lawful Evil
  • CR: 12

Astral Stalkers are extraplanar humanoids with a primal desire to hunt, a drive that dictates the course of their lives. These somewhat alien entities measure their worth through the number and prowess of prey they have successfully slain. As such, Astral Stalkers search relentlessly for a worthy quarry, whom they will hunt with unyielding ferocity. Many will even offer their services to other creatures in hopes of being tasked with a worthwhile target. The savage nature of Astral Stalkers belies their admirable adherence to law and order. They uphold a strict code known as the Rules of the Hunt, guidelines meant to maintain honor among their ranks.

Astral Stalkers are unlike any monster featured in D&D 5e. They are ruthless hunters who will pursue targets across entire realms of existence. Astral Stalkers pose a threat that only a few other monsters can boast, and would bring excitement to 5e or future editions.

6 Athach

Dungeons & Dragons Athach
  • Editions: 2e, 3e
  • Type: Humanoid
  • Alignment: Chaotic Evil
  • CR: 8

Athachs are gigantic, disfigured humanoids with penchants for violence, gems, and jewelry. These malformed beings live brutal lives in which they are constantly fighting or vying for food. The only passion that Athachs share is a love for jewels and adornments, which they haphazardly use to decorate their bodies. This desire is the only thing that can counteract their barbaric tendencies and sense of survival. Otherwise, Athachs are savage and merciless fighters that pose a challenge to even the most steadfast adventurers. Their numerous appendages, immense strength, and sheer unpredictability make them a formidable threat.

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Athachs resemble D&D 5e giants in many ways, but they boast a fair share of distinct aspects. They are unintelligent, senseless, and impulsive creatures, yet they are exceedingly dangerous. Athachs are capable of combating giants and demolishing villages, all without reason. Their unbridled brutality is unmatched by any monster currently in 5e.

5 Aurumvorax

Dungeons & Dragons Aurumvorax
  • Editions: 1e, 2e, 3e
  • Type: Beast
  • Alignment: True Neutral
  • CR: 7

Aurumvoraxs are rodent-like beasts with an unusual diet consisting of meat and metal, predominantly gold. These gold-furred creatures must eat precious metals, lest they die within a week. While seemingly a hindrance, Aurumvoraxs' extravagant diet comes with numerous benefits. They possessed highly corrosive saliva meant to dissolve metals and harm assailants. In addition, the precious metals that Aurumvoraxs consume strengthens their hides, granting them protection against toxins, blunt weaponry, and extreme heat.

No beast in D&D 5e is quite like the extraordinary Aurumvoraxs. Their impressive offenses and defenses make them a significant threat. Nearly everything about these metallic creatures is otherworldly, in a wondrous yet somewhat unsettling way. Aurumvoraxs pose a significant threat to all, at least any who hoard large sums of metal. Such unique monsters deserve a reintroduction.

4 Baernaloth

Dungeons & Dragons Baernaloth
  • Editions: 2e, 4e
  • Type: Fiend
  • Alignment: Neutral/Chaotic Evil
  • CR: N/A

Baernaloths are legendary fiends that possess a significant deal of ambiguity. Rumors claim that these dull spindly entities created yugoloths, demons, devils, and the like. As such, Baernaloths receive more reverence than most other fiends, despite their unimpressive abilities. Although they adamantly seek to sow chaos and misery, Baernaloths do not have an end goal or motivator for doing so. They seem to wreak havoc and inspire suffering for no greater purpose, much like a golem mindlessly following orders. The emotionless and enigmatic nature of the Baernaloths makes them all the more terrifying.

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Few monsters in D&D 5e possess the unfathomable qualities of Baernaloths. These creatures aim to bring misfortune for no reason, not even for personal pleasure. Their eerie existence poses a danger not only to the Material Plane, but the multiverse at large. These horrific and incomprehensible monsters would be a welcome addition to horrific campaigns.

3 Bonedrinker

Dungeons & Dragons Bonedrinker
  • Editions: 3e
  • Type: Undead
  • Alignment: Chaotic Evil
  • CR: 6

Bonedrinkers are a truly repulsive undead with, as the name implies, an insatiable hunger for literal bones. These vile, revolting monstrosities come into being through a ghastly ritual. The ceremony utilizes goblinoid corpses, which undergo a dramatic transformation from monstrous humanoids into harrowing abominations. Bonedrinkers roam dark and secluded parts of the world populated with anything possessing a skeletal structure. Should a creature fall victim to these sinister monsters, its bones will be liquefied and drained. The longer a Bonedrinker goes without feasting on bones, the more its body deteriorates, resulting in the appearance of sores.

Bonedrinkers are revolting monsters unlike anything witnessed in 5e. Their voracious hunger and lethality prove to be overwhelmingly dangerous, making them a significant threat against even the most capable adventurers. Such a frightening and murderous creature deserves a place in Dungeons & Dragons 5e or future editions.

2 Hive Mother

Dungeons & Dragons Hive Mother
  • Editions: 2e, 3e
  • Type: Aberration
  • Alignment: Lawful Evil
  • CR: 16

Hive Mothers — or the "Ultimate Tyrants" — are hubristic aberrations regarded as the queens or the sole rulers of Beholders. These domineering monstrosities oversee broods of Beholders, which they command through their inborn abilities and imposing presence. This widespread control makes up for Hive Mothers' lack of common Beholder traits, such as various devastating eye beams. Should a brood spawn act out or bear any abnormalities, they will be swallowed whole by the Ultimate Tyrant. Hive Mothers' broods typically reside in the vast expanses of space, but can rarely be found on the Material Plane.

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Hive Mothers have a disconcerting presence about them, distinct from other creatures seen in D&D 5e. They rule over one of the franchise's most venerable and feared monsters without issue. The Hive Mothers' status among the arrogant Beholders is remarkable, terrifying, and potentially disastrous. Considering the iconography of Beholders in the D&D world, the tyrannical creatures that rule them are more than deserving of a return.

1 Krinth

Dungeons & Dragons Krinth
  • Editions: 3e
  • Type: Humanoid
  • Alignment: Chaotic Evil
  • CR: 1

Krinths are disparate humanoids native to the Plane of Shadow, better known as the Shadowfell. These corrupted entities were born through the union of humanoids and shadow demons. The unique ancestry of Krinths allows them to survive the barren and lifeless wastes of the Shadowfell without issue. Their demonic blood and unforgiving environment have shaped them into chaotic, evil creatures. As such, Krinths are without fear, control, or a sense of morality. Such qualities complement their heightened strength, endurance, and attunement to the Shadowfell.

The supposed evil races of Dungeons & Dragons 5e all pale in comparison to the malevolent Krinths. They are humanoids with unmatched ferocity and a penchant for wreaking havoc. A Krinth opponent is an imposing adversary capable of dispatching seasoned fighters and mages alike. Such a fearsome and maniacal humanoid would be a worthwhile addition to plenty of campaigns.

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