D&D 5E Wights....problem with RaW...

[Plaguescarred]

I've never considered them incorporeal. Very solid. I find describing a black vapour emanating off them evocative...and the players get (rightfully) scared of it. Builds up tension.

Oh you mean Barrow-wights? Yeah they are not incorporeal i was thinking of other undeads in LoTR.

''The barrow-wights are evil spirits that are inhabiting dead bones, and are found in the Barrow-downs of Eriador. ''

 

[Casimir Liber]

I just remembered - I was watching "Legends of Vox Machina" and they had that thing where undead were attacking people and they'd get this black goo oozing from them, and I was thinking, "Hell yeah! Great way to depict lvl/energy/ability drain!!" too.

 

[Lanefan]

I've never considered them incorporeal. Very solid.

In 1e Wights were visually indistinguishable from Zombies, which is what made them a real threat - you'd wade into combat expecting pushover Zombies and get a hella surprise when these much-tougher things started whacking your levels out of you.

 

[Mannahnin]

In 1e Wights were visually indistinguishable from Zombies, which is what made them a real threat - you'd wade into combat expecting pushover Zombies and get a hella surprise when these much-tougher things started whacking your levels out of you.

Which seems like a pretty classic screwjob from Gary's more adversarial days.

 

[jgsugden]

1e Wights were visually indistinguishable from Zombies, which is what made them a real threat - you'd wade into combat expecting pushover Zombies and get a hella surprise when these much-tougher things started whacking your levels out of you.

If you mean AD&D, the wight was not described physically in text. All we had to go on was the picture:

That picture did not have a normal human face, was hunched, and had definite claws. To me, that picture did not match the description of the zombie. I don't recall ever seimng

 

[Mannahnin]

If you mean AD&D, the wight was not described physically in text. All we had to go on was the picture: View attachment 157259

That picture did not have a normal human face, was hunched, and had definite claws. To me, that picture did not match the description of the zombie. I don't recall ever seimng

They're both described as corporeal corpses, and while the MM doesn't specify one way or another, the idea that they basically both just look like animate dead people is stated explicitly in at least a couple of modules, to my recollection.

 

[jgsugden]

They're both described as corporeal corpses, and while the MM doesn't specify one way or another, the idea that they basically both just look like animate dead people is stated explicitly in at least a couple of modules, to my recollection.

The wight description doesn't use that terminology, but does say they're undead humans (similar to how ghouls are described)

I'd be interested in seeing any of those module references. As it conflicts with the artwork representations, it surprises me. Anyone know where any of those statements are?

 

[Mannahnin]

The wight description doesn't use that terminology, but does say they're undead humans (similar to how ghouls are described)

I'd be interested in seeing any of those module references. As it conflicts with the artwork representations, it surprises me. Anyone know where any of those statements are?

Trying to recall specific references. Is there one in B2? I'm pretty sure I recall one in Caverns of Thracia.

@Lanefan , do you have any more specific recollections?

 

[Lanefan]

Trying to recall specific references. Is there one in B2? I'm pretty sure I recall one in Caverns of Thracia.

@Lanefan , do you have any more specific recollections?

I've seen it referenced, that wights and zombies are indistinguishable, but I'm really not sure where now. Not in B2 - there's loads of zombies in that but I don't recall any wights or other level-drainers. There's a bunch of wights in Tomb of the Lizard King, maybe it was there?

Thinking about it, I suspect it does come from a module...but which one?

 

[jgsugden]

Trying to recall specific references. Is there one in B2? I'm pretty sure I recall one in Caverns of Thracia...

I didn't see it in a quick skim through the books. B2 isn't AD&D - Keep on the Borderlands is Basic. And there is no reference there.

A google search isn't turning up anything either. Are you sure it was in a product and not just the interpretation of your group?