D&D 5E Giving monsters more (unlimited?) reactions in one turn

[Chaltab]

The Marilith has the 'Reactive' trait. It doesn't mean she's nuclear, it means she can take a reaction on every turn in combat.

Usually the marilith uses it to either make OAs or use Riposte, but your monster could use it to hit back.

 

[Reynard]

One experiment I have been working on is giving 5E monsters something like Dragonbane's "Ferocity" instead of Legendary actions/reactions. basically, they get 2 or 3 initiative rolls per round, getting their normal full actions on those rounds. BUT, they can forgo their next one to take an immediate reaction. I have not had a chance to playtest it at the table with other people, but have fiddled with it in solo sessions. it has promise, but needs to cook a little more, I think.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

How is this?

Whirlwind. Trigger: A creature in melee range damages the minotaur manhunter in combat. Response: The minotaur manhunter makes a spinning attack with its two-handed sword, doing 11 (2d10) Slashing damage to all enemies in melee range that it successfully hits unless the minotaur manhunter is Incapacitated.

 

[Chaltab]

How is this?

Instead of a successful hit, I'd make it a Dex Save.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Instead of a successful hit, I'd make it a Dex Save.

So:

Whirlwind. Trigger: A creature in melee range damages the minotaur manhunter in combat. Response: The minotaur manhunter makes a spinning attack with its two-handed sword, doing 11 (2d10) Slashing damage to all enemies in melee range that fail a Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 19, unless the minotaur manhunter is Incapacitated.

 

[mellored]

2024 monsters can have multiple reactions.
Green dragon has 3.

 

[Remathilis]

2024 monsters can have multiple reactions.
Green dragon has 3.

It is worth noting that page is outdated and does not reflect what is actually in the Monster Manual.

 

[zakael19]

2024 monsters can have multiple reactions.
Green dragon has 3.

Isn't that just because like as noted first with the Monsters of the Multiverse, WOTC swapped Legendary Actions over to multiple-reactions?

 

[Chaltab]

Isn't that just because like as noted first with the Monsters of the Multiverse, WOTC swapped Legendary Actions over to multiple-reactions?

No? That was a 2025 MM preview. But the final version has LAs

 

[mellored]

Isn't that just because like as noted first with the Monsters of the Multiverse, WOTC swapped Legendary Actions over to multiple-reactions?

Sure. But my point was that there are already official monsters with multiple reactions.


Also, D&D is a game of make believe. So your allowed to make up whatever you want (as long as it doesn't ruin the fun for others).