Best monsters for an arena? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best monsters for an arena? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Eye of the Beholder
12-06-03, 10:49 AM So I've got a d20 Fight Club coming up and was looking for a beastie of around CR 10 to kick things off in the arena before the contestants dig into each other... an 'opening act' if you will. Any favorites? I'm looking for coolness and intimidation factor, a real crowd-pleaser that can take a licking and dish out some massive amounts of damage. Something a group of lvl 6 characters can beat, but only barely (not without significant casualties).

My current thoughts are a Gargantuan monstrous scorpion (MM 3.5), a razorboar (MMII), or a young pyroclastic dragon (Draconomicon and Dragon #300). Other suggestions?
Teron Gorefiend
12-06-03, 02:32 PM How about a Pyrohydra? I think one of those would be pretty damn impressive to see in action.
Brian.C
12-06-03, 06:09 PM Monsters to use in a gladiator setting should follow three rules:

A. They should be very terrifying to look at (so the crowd is pleased).

B. They should not have many lethal extraordinary or superhuman powers (so that the human gladiators have a fighting chance).

C. They should not be very bright (smart monsters are not going to fight for a crowd's amusement - they have pride).

Some good suggestions from the standard Monster Manual include:

Ankhegs
Athachs
Bulettes
Chuul
Digesters
Dinosaurs (smaller ones)
Displacer Beasts
Elementals
Girallons
Gray Renders
Grick
Hell Hounds
Howlers
Krenshars
Owlbears
Shambling Mounds
Any Giant Vermin

Of course, when constructing novelty matches (called "spice matches" by some) monsters can be used in clever ways. A popular spice is the "Basilisk Brawl." In this gladiator match, the opposing gladiators (or teams of them) are required to fight in an arena where a basilisk is chained to a post in the center via a ten foot chain-leash. The gladiators are forbidden from harming it, and doing so results in disqualification. Thus, during the fight, they not only have to worry about their opponents, but must also avoid the creature's gaze.

I've got a million of other examples if you want them.

Note that, when using monsters in a gladitorial match, any smart arena owners will do what is necessary to protect the fans. If a monster's ranged attack results in a spectator dying, this might drive folks away, and result in a sharp drop in profits.

- Brian
Glide
12-06-03, 07:04 PM Tyrannosaurus. Colassal Style. Perhaps a vampire one.... That would entertain me.
WizO_Pony
12-06-03, 07:07 PM I like Umber Hulks myself. But for CR 10 you would need to either advance one by HD or add a template for an Umber Hulk to be a good fight.
A Man In Black
12-06-03, 11:21 PM Dire animals are always a good start, especially if you slap templates like monstrous creature (from Savage Species) on them.

Behirs, chimerae, ettins, golems, a smallish hydra (particularly one without breath weapon), manticores, otyughs (especially if they are kept to eat the dead), and winter wolves are all good "beasts" to have gladiators face off against.

Any flying critters would need to be compelled or crippled to keep them from just leaving.

Mindless undead are a good, flashy challenge, especially big ugly ones. What self-respecting crowd wouldn't love to hear...

"Tonight only! Argak the Horrible takes on not one, but TWO skeletons, both the size of a house!"

Oozes are good for a particularly horrible foe...the crowd would have to be extra bloodthirsty, but a badly wounded gladiator could simply run away and throw himself on the mercy of the crowd.

Centaurs, lyncanthropes, and minotaurs strike me as good professional gladiators, instead of just beasts. Trolls would be ESPECIALLY suited to gladitorial games, particularly as recurring "heels," to use pro wrestler jargon; who better than nigh-unkillable race?
Teron Gorefiend
12-07-03, 09:28 AM I'd forgotten about the possibility of ranged attacks damaging the crowd. However, if whoever organizes the games has access to a fairly high-level spellcaster (a reasonable assumption, given that they are capable of acquiring CR 10 monsters for the fights), then there are plenty of magical ways to prevent the creatures from attacking the spectators.
moosekickedmysisterstoof
12-07-03, 11:00 AM What about an ogre wereelephant or a troll weretyrannosaurus?
polt
12-07-03, 11:30 AM The ultimate Gladitor is the Minotaur, no doubt! Its awesome!
Just advance it a bit.
gooru
12-07-03, 12:45 PM how about a shadow minatuar or three.. 50% chance for you to miss them, but they get to hit you:) well, unless you have a ghost touch weapon.. icky...
ieattrollsforbreakfast
12-07-03, 01:12 PM I think the land wyrms or linnorms or drakes from Draconomicon and MM2 would make great arena monsters. You get all of the ferocity of a dragon, but it cant just fly away!
Oakspar77777
12-07-03, 01:30 PM Giants. Big, ugly, ones.

A hill giant makes a good regular gladiator, and will work for gold.

A big nasty formorian giant can be a cloud pleaser.

Also, giants take class level easily.

Don't forget ogres with levels and big trolls.
MightyMightyThundarr
12-07-03, 03:01 PM A troll barbarian or frenzied berzerker would be an awesome combatant in an arena.

Its fearsome, capable of dealing out grevious injury, and can recover from wounds that would kill most other fighters (so they can be used again later even if they lose). At the same time, they are not invincible, and a group of PCs would have a fighting chance at beating one.

If you suspect that a PC pyromaniac will kill it too quickly, give it rings of fire resistance and acid resistance ;)

An ogre mage makes a good arena combatant for similar reasons, but they tend to be too smart to be used as mere muscle in a pit fight.

Depending on who is running the arena, consider using summoned or bound fiends. A bebilith would make for a very impressive show against a team of 6th or 7th level characters.
Brian.C
12-07-03, 03:13 PM Bound fiends are a bad idea. A fiend would be pretty insulted at being made to fight for the entertainment of mortals, and if it ever escaped, it is an insult that it wouldn't forget - at least not in the span of a mortal's lifetime.

But there is a good way to use fiends at least in spirit, if not in body - simply have a wizard use a polymorph spell, on a well-paid gladiator and the crowd might actually believe that they are watching a marilith or glabrezu in the arena. The profits would skyrocket without the danger involved in using real fiends.

- Brian
Mage of Sembia
12-07-03, 03:44 PM The fiend could also summon fiends:devil:
howlingwolf
12-07-03, 04:11 PM Could of course go -real- old style from the books.

Normal beasties. Tiggers. Bears. The almighty raging badger. :D

Just advance them , or do like the above. Add templates, some IQ maybe from fighting other gladiators who weren't so lucky..

Maybe just have loads of them. :smirk:

Or make it even more fun! Don't add any weapons in until later! Be gleeful as the gladiators have to team up to subdue a raging beast, then kill each other as helpful assistants toss weapons down into the arena! Then laugh manically as they scrabble to find one they actually know how to wield! Then scream in horror as the guys in the white coats drag you off for insanity..

What.. Wait.. NOoooo!!!

Sorry. Odd day. Had to vent somewhat. But hey, least it's constructive right!?
Mordenkainen's Rubber Duck of DOOM
12-07-03, 07:00 PM Feeblemind a landwyrm and chuck it in the arena. Or just don't Feeblemind it and keep it on a chain so that it won't go and get away. They're smart little buggers.
green_yawgmoth
12-07-03, 11:15 PM CR 10? From the Book of Vile Darkness: chasme (big flylike thing; meaner'n :censored: ).

eye of fear and flame is CR 8, but still quite nice. Neat effects, would make for definite free publicity as "the most awesometacularest show I've ever seen!"

A kython slaymaster would also provide some sweet, sweet gory entertainment, but it's CR 11.

And if they can't seem to fight off the thing you choose, you can always fudge some rolls. ;)
Pennywise
12-07-03, 11:31 PM Originally posted by green_yawgmoth
eye of fear and flame is CR 8, but still quite nice. Neat effects, would make for definite free publicity as "the most awesometacularest show I've ever seen!"Don't forget that it used to be a madman, most likely well known around the area. What better publicity can you get than "Occisor the Slasher is back from the dead, and this time he's packing!" ?
Wako
12-08-03, 12:48 AM I think the land wyrms or linnorms or drakes from Draconomicon and MM2 would make great arena monsters. You get all of the ferocity of a dragon, but it cant just fly away!

:rolleyes:
Read the linnorms please, they are as dangerous, or more, than any dragon. And they can just fly away!
ieattrollsforbreakfast
12-08-03, 05:19 PM Forgot linnorms could fly....my mistake. Ah well, I'll stick by drakes and land wyrms.
How about dire animals? A nice big dire bear or two could do the trick.
Mage of Sembia
12-08-03, 07:40 PM If you need more greater drakes use these. (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=124095) They would all work well, except for the Kavainus. The arsalon would not work well either because of the symbiosis with wasps either. Also, Dragon 284 had some more greater drakes.
LizardRider
12-08-03, 08:42 PM First of all set up things to hide behind that the monsters only know about. Then take a few Kobolds with levels in Barbarian and Rogue and have thaem make traps. Then let them hide and send in the gladiators. Either you could let the crowd watch the kobolds set up or you could let the Kobolds set up and then have the crowd come in and then send the gladiators in.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Eye of the Beholder 12-06-03, 10:49 AM	So I've got a d20 Fight Club coming up and was looking for a beastie of around CR 10 to kick things off in the arena before the contestants dig into each other... an 'opening act' if you will. Any favorites? I'm looking for coolness and intimidation factor, a real crowd-pleaser that can take a licking and dish out some massive amounts of damage. Something a group of lvl 6 characters can beat, but only barely (not without significant casualties). My current thoughts are a Gargantuan monstrous scorpion (MM 3.5), a razorboar (MMII), or a young pyroclastic dragon (Draconomicon and Dragon #300). Other suggestions?
Teron Gorefiend 12-06-03, 02:32 PM	How about a Pyrohydra? I think one of those would be pretty damn impressive to see in action.
Brian.C 12-06-03, 06:09 PM	Monsters to use in a gladiator setting should follow three rules: A. They should be very terrifying to look at (so the crowd is pleased). B. They should not have many lethal extraordinary or superhuman powers (so that the human gladiators have a fighting chance). C. They should not be very bright (smart monsters are not going to fight for a crowd's amusement - they have pride). Some good suggestions from the standard Monster Manual include: Ankhegs Athachs Bulettes Chuul Digesters Dinosaurs (smaller ones) Displacer Beasts Elementals Girallons Gray Renders Grick Hell Hounds Howlers Krenshars Owlbears Shambling Mounds Any Giant Vermin Of course, when constructing novelty matches (called "spice matches" by some) monsters can be used in clever ways. A popular spice is the "Basilisk Brawl." In this gladiator match, the opposing gladiators (or teams of them) are required to fight in an arena where a basilisk is chained to a post in the center via a ten foot chain-leash. The gladiators are forbidden from harming it, and doing so results in disqualification. Thus, during the fight, they not only have to worry about their opponents, but must also avoid the creature's gaze. I've got a million of other examples if you want them. Note that, when using monsters in a gladitorial match, any smart arena owners will do what is necessary to protect the fans. If a monster's ranged attack results in a spectator dying, this might drive folks away, and result in a sharp drop in profits. - Brian
Glide 12-06-03, 07:04 PM	Tyrannosaurus. Colassal Style. Perhaps a vampire one.... That would entertain me.
WizO_Pony 12-06-03, 07:07 PM	I like Umber Hulks myself. But for CR 10 you would need to either advance one by HD or add a template for an Umber Hulk to be a good fight.
A Man In Black 12-06-03, 11:21 PM	Dire animals are always a good start, especially if you slap templates like monstrous creature (from Savage Species) on them. Behirs, chimerae, ettins, golems, a smallish hydra (particularly one without breath weapon), manticores, otyughs (especially if they are kept to eat the dead), and winter wolves are all good "beasts" to have gladiators face off against. Any flying critters would need to be compelled or crippled to keep them from just leaving. Mindless undead are a good, flashy challenge, especially big ugly ones. What self-respecting crowd wouldn't love to hear... "Tonight only! Argak the Horrible takes on not one, but TWO skeletons, both the size of a house!" Oozes are good for a particularly horrible foe...the crowd would have to be extra bloodthirsty, but a badly wounded gladiator could simply run away and throw himself on the mercy of the crowd. Centaurs, lyncanthropes, and minotaurs strike me as good professional gladiators, instead of just beasts. Trolls would be ESPECIALLY suited to gladitorial games, particularly as recurring "heels," to use pro wrestler jargon; who better than nigh-unkillable race?
Teron Gorefiend 12-07-03, 09:28 AM	I'd forgotten about the possibility of ranged attacks damaging the crowd. However, if whoever organizes the games has access to a fairly high-level spellcaster (a reasonable assumption, given that they are capable of acquiring CR 10 monsters for the fights), then there are plenty of magical ways to prevent the creatures from attacking the spectators.
moosekickedmysisterstoof 12-07-03, 11:00 AM	What about an ogre wereelephant or a troll weretyrannosaurus?
polt 12-07-03, 11:30 AM	The ultimate Gladitor is the Minotaur, no doubt! Its awesome! Just advance it a bit.
gooru 12-07-03, 12:45 PM	how about a shadow minatuar or three.. 50% chance for you to miss them, but they get to hit you:) well, unless you have a ghost touch weapon.. icky...
ieattrollsforbreakfast 12-07-03, 01:12 PM	I think the land wyrms or linnorms or drakes from Draconomicon and MM2 would make great arena monsters. You get all of the ferocity of a dragon, but it cant just fly away!
Oakspar77777 12-07-03, 01:30 PM	Giants. Big, ugly, ones. A hill giant makes a good regular gladiator, and will work for gold. A big nasty formorian giant can be a cloud pleaser. Also, giants take class level easily. Don't forget ogres with levels and big trolls.
MightyMightyThundarr 12-07-03, 03:01 PM	A troll barbarian or frenzied berzerker would be an awesome combatant in an arena. Its fearsome, capable of dealing out grevious injury, and can recover from wounds that would kill most other fighters (so they can be used again later even if they lose). At the same time, they are not invincible, and a group of PCs would have a fighting chance at beating one. If you suspect that a PC pyromaniac will kill it too quickly, give it rings of fire resistance and acid resistance ;) An ogre mage makes a good arena combatant for similar reasons, but they tend to be too smart to be used as mere muscle in a pit fight. Depending on who is running the arena, consider using summoned or bound fiends. A bebilith would make for a very impressive show against a team of 6th or 7th level characters.
Brian.C 12-07-03, 03:13 PM	Bound fiends are a bad idea. A fiend would be pretty insulted at being made to fight for the entertainment of mortals, and if it ever escaped, it is an insult that it wouldn't forget - at least not in the span of a mortal's lifetime. But there is a good way to use fiends at least in spirit, if not in body - simply have a wizard use a polymorph spell, on a well-paid gladiator and the crowd might actually believe that they are watching a marilith or glabrezu in the arena. The profits would skyrocket without the danger involved in using real fiends. - Brian
Mage of Sembia 12-07-03, 03:44 PM	The fiend could also summon fiends:devil:
howlingwolf 12-07-03, 04:11 PM	Could of course go -real- old style from the books. Normal beasties. Tiggers. Bears. The almighty raging badger. :D Just advance them , or do like the above. Add templates, some IQ maybe from fighting other gladiators who weren't so lucky.. Maybe just have loads of them. :smirk: Or make it even more fun! Don't add any weapons in until later! Be gleeful as the gladiators have to team up to subdue a raging beast, then kill each other as helpful assistants toss weapons down into the arena! Then laugh manically as they scrabble to find one they actually know how to wield! Then scream in horror as the guys in the white coats drag you off for insanity.. What.. Wait.. NOoooo!!! Sorry. Odd day. Had to vent somewhat. But hey, least it's constructive right!?
Mordenkainen's Rubber Duck of DOOM 12-07-03, 07:00 PM	Feeblemind a landwyrm and chuck it in the arena. Or just don't Feeblemind it and keep it on a chain so that it won't go and get away. They're smart little buggers.
green_yawgmoth 12-07-03, 11:15 PM	CR 10? From the Book of Vile Darkness: chasme (big flylike thing; meaner'n :censored: ). eye of fear and flame is CR 8, but still quite nice. Neat effects, would make for definite free publicity as "the most awesometacularest show I've ever seen!" A kython slaymaster would also provide some sweet, sweet gory entertainment, but it's CR 11. And if they can't seem to fight off the thing you choose, you can always fudge some rolls. ;)
Pennywise 12-07-03, 11:31 PM	Originally posted by green_yawgmoth eye of fear and flame is CR 8, but still quite nice. Neat effects, would make for definite free publicity as "the most awesometacularest show I've ever seen!"Don't forget that it used to be a madman, most likely well known around the area. What better publicity can you get than "Occisor the Slasher is back from the dead, and this time he's packing!" ?
Wako 12-08-03, 12:48 AM	I think the land wyrms or linnorms or drakes from Draconomicon and MM2 would make great arena monsters. You get all of the ferocity of a dragon, but it cant just fly away! :rolleyes: Read the linnorms please, they are as dangerous, or more, than any dragon. And they can just fly away!
ieattrollsforbreakfast 12-08-03, 05:19 PM	Forgot linnorms could fly....my mistake. Ah well, I'll stick by drakes and land wyrms. How about dire animals? A nice big dire bear or two could do the trick.
Mage of Sembia 12-08-03, 07:40 PM	If you need more greater drakes use these. (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=124095) They would all work well, except for the Kavainus. The arsalon would not work well either because of the symbiosis with wasps either. Also, Dragon 284 had some more greater drakes.
LizardRider 12-08-03, 08:42 PM	First of all set up things to hide behind that the monsters only know about. Then take a few Kobolds with levels in Barbarian and Rogue and have thaem make traps. Then let them hide and send in the gladiators. Either you could let the crowd watch the kobolds set up or you could let the Kobolds set up and then have the crowd come in and then send the gladiators in.