Dungeons & Dragonshasno shortage of incredible monstersto use in your games, but the true Dungeon Master is always on the lookout for new and interesting creatures to throw at your players. What better place to look to for monsters than Monster Hunter?
Whether your players have been playing Monster Hunter Wilds and would love the inclusion ofits ferocious beasties, or you just want something they’ve never seen before, the game is full to the brim with monsters you can use in D&D. Read below to find examples of some of the best ones you could incorporate.
8Chatacabra
Mimic The Mimic
The Chatacabra might be the first real monster hunt you experience in Wilds, but that doesn’t make it any less of a great one to use in D&D. A defense-heavy creature with a thick hide, crushing jaws and sticky tongue is far from unheard of in D&D.
The humble Mimic is already quite close to this. Swap out its ability to disguise itself for some extra HP or AC, and you have a fairly good stand-in for a Chatacabra ready to try and take a bite out of your player’s characters.
7Uth Duna
Wet And Wilds
If you’re looking for a fight that has the scale of a dragon without using a dragon, the Uth Duna is an interesting replacement. This large monster is primarily aquatic but will emerge from the water to seek out prey.
Uth Duna regularly creates a protective veil around itself, so consider making this an ability that recharges on the roll of a 5 or 6 on a d6. This is how dragons' breath weapons work, and using it for a defensive ability might catch your players off guard.
6Rey Dau
Feeling Blue
Rey Dau is the perfect analog for a Blue Dragon. Both are draconic flying monsters with lightning breath, so this is a great example of how you can take inspiration from a game like Monster Hunter without literally using the monster.
Rather than use the Rey Dau specifically, take elements from it to improve your description of your Blue Dragon. The mandible-like structures the Rey Dau uses to charge its lightning attack are a great descriptive flourish, so include them and watch your player’s eyes light up.
5Lala Barina
Every Rose Has Its Thorns
D&D already has plenty of giant spiders, but nothing quite like Lala Barina. This dancing arachnid adds narrative flair with distinctive red webbing but also has a unique feature and ability your players wouldn’t expect unless they’re already Monster Hunter fans.
The Lala Barina can bloom its body into a shape resembling a rose and spray paralyzing florets across the battlefield. This helps make the fight mechanically unique, but the reveal is sure to get a reaction at your table.
4Ajarakan
Ape Strong
Monsters with fancy tricks are all well and good, but sometimes you just want to send a juggernaut hurtling towards your players. That’s where the Ajarakan comes in handy, a powerful ape-like creature imbued with fire.
The Goristro is a great set of stats to use as a base when porting an Ajarakan into D&D. It just needs a little more emphasis put on the Ajarakans fiery nature. Keep in mind, though, that this will lead to a very dangerous monster. Use it with caution.
3Nu Udra
Anything Is Cephalopossible
The Nu Udra, a giant cephalopod that spews fire, which covers itself in oil so it can engulf itself in flame, isn’t quite like anything already in D&D. It might take a little work to recreate it for the tabletop, but it would make for a fantastic encounter.
When using the Nu Udra, don’t forget the ability it displays in Monster Hunter Wilds to squeeze through the smallest of spaces. This can offer your beloved monster a means of escape so it can be used again later or to get somewhere it shouldn’t be and launch an ambush.
2Guardian Monsters
This Is The Upgrade
As you progress through the story, Monster Hunter Wilds introduces the idea of Guardian versions of existing monsters. It’s a great reminder that you can do this, too; there’s always the option to bring back an amped-up version of a monster your players have already encountered.
You can call it a Guardian version, a Dire version, or anything to denote that this is a more serious example of an earlier monster. Tweak the stats, and you’re good to go, letting you double-dip on the fights your players enjoyed the most.
1Arkveld
Feel The Chain
Arkveld is the poster monster for Monster Hunter Wilds and with good reason. It has an excellent design, isone of the toughest to beat, and would make a great addition to any D&D game, even if your players aren’t familiar with Monster Hunter.
The key thing is the chain-like appendages the Arkveld has. You can use these to give your Arkveld extra attacks, bludgeoning its foes, but using them to grapple or restrain players will lead to a far more interesting and dynamic encounter for everyone at the table.
