D&D 5E Underrated Monsters

[Clint_L]

What 5e monsters don't get enough, respect, in your opinion?

I nominate the humble, CR2 Peryton. A trio of them, from a random wilderness encounter, just gave a level 7 party fits. Between flyby, resistance to non-magical attacks and a really nasty bonus to their dive attacks (which was all of their attacks, thanks to flyby) they eventually had the party running to seek shelter. It was hilarious.

Who do you nominate?

 

[MockingBird]

I feel like a really cool campaign could be made with the Star Spawn. Probably not an underrated monster. I just think the concept is cool and I don't think I've seen them used.

 

[Quickleaf]

Quicklings. They may surprise you. They've a fair chance of going first. They're coming for your backline for stabbity-stabbity, and stopping them is hard. And they're vicious tittering fey. We hates them. But they're awesome.

 

[Ogre Mage]

Intellect devourers (CR 2) and banshees (CR 4) are much deadlier than their low CR suggests. However, I think many 5E players know that.

 

[BookTenTiger]

Quicklings. They may surprise you. They've a fair chance of going first. They're coming for your backline for stabbity-stabbity, and stopping them is hard. And they're vicious tittering fey. We hates them. But they're awesome.

Yes I agree with this one! Quicklings became a dreaded and feared enemy in my last campaign.

 

[Azzy]

Flameskulls. Those are some vicious little bastards.

 

[MockingBird]

Intellect devourers (CR 2) and banshees (CR 4) are much deadlier than their low CR suggests. However, I think many 5E players know that.

The banshee encounter in lost Mines was nearly a TPK when I first ran it.

 

[iserith]

Nilbog.

 

[Clint_L]

The banshee encounter in lost Mines was nearly a TPK when I first ran it.

Same - only one party member made the saving throw. Fortunately, it was the bard, and they had healing word, but it was a really near thing.

 

[Oofta]

I feel like a really cool campaign could be made with the Star Spawn. Probably not an underrated monster. I just think the concept is cool and I don't think I've seen them used.

Yeah, I've been using them myself. The idea that these cultists actually want to be turned into aberrant monstrosities is just too fun. That and the cult leader being just a normal guy until they turn into a lesser and then greater star spawn emissary? Tons of surprises and enjoyment. For the DM anyway.