Forbes gets to preview the rust monster.
Sweet, how timely considering the scenario I posted: The Corrosion of Gedren's Point.
I'll change the rust monster stats I used to reflect the official one in that thread.
Too bad there's a typo in it:
"If the object touched is either metal armor or a metal shield being worn or carried, its takes a permanent..."
Should be:
"If the object touched is either metal armor or a metal shield being worn or carried, it takes a permanent..."
Hoping this isn't indicative of the overall level of proofreading for this book.
Used a tweaked 3.5 one a few weeks ago. Bye bye splint armor.
I'm glad that it doesn't work on magical metal.
The genesis of the rust monster.
http://diterlizzi.com/home/owlbears-rust-monsters-and-bulettes-oh-my/
Saelorn wrote:
Interesting. I like how it exists either to soletly destroy stuff, or to throw into an encounter with other creatures. Because the Antennae deal no damage, and also take an action to use.
But yeah, looks fun. Can't wait to think of neat ways to include this guy in things!
This rust monster is far less scary than its predecessors. The predecessors destroyed nonmagical gear in a single hit, while magical gear was entitled a save to avoid becoming nonmagical (the second hit would subsequently destroy it). I can see why they did this though - they wanted Rust monsters to be used in encounters, rather than wasting away in the MM until an evil DM decided the PCs should lose some gear (or a DM who felt said gear was OP for the current situation).
I like it a lot, has a permanent effect on some non-magical gear, but nothing too crazy.
Rust monster?! Get in there, druids!
Bumamgar wrote:
I really like this Rust Monster because the damage rules are very simple and clear. If it does even -1 to damage on a non-magical weapon or ac-1 on non-magical armor, the characters will likely throw the equipment away after finding a new weapon and armor.
kira3696.tripod.com
Hmmm that second article proves something I always suspected about the rust monster (I had a set of those toys as a kid). I don't recall the owlbear in my set though (and had forgotten the bullette was in it until seeing the pics and explains why the bullette always seemed familiar to me).
Player: Oh man, I've finally saved up enough for plate mail! I can't wait to get into this dungeon and test it out!
DM: 
"Why yes, I'd LOVE to cast mending on your armor, shield, and sword"
"Great! Do it quick, so we can get back out to adventuring!"
"Not so fast! I need your share of the treasure next dungeon..."
Thank_Dog wrote:
I like the general design, but would also like to have the option of a more powerful Rust Monster, having the ability to rust magical gear too. In the same manner (cumulative penalties, salvageable by e.g. mending), I think it would be OK, possibly with a bit more HP, possibly size, and higher CR.
- Vargtass
Regin_Vargtass wrote:
Saelorn wrote:
I've always had a soft spot in my heart for rust monsters (as a DM), but generally not so much as a player.
I like the way this one works, although I agree that it would be nice to have a variant rule to allow it to affect magical weapons.
If magic weapons and armour are rare occurences, most martial PCs will still be afraid of the rust monster because their gear won't be immune to it.
And, if magic weapons and armour are rare occurences, only a surpassingly sadistic DM would have thrown a Rust Monster that could affect magic items at the party in the first place.
Keeping those two things in mind, the change makes sense.
Edited to clarify.
DemoMonkey wrote:
Kommando wrote:
I remember it taking a while for a rust monster to pop up in 4e, and it was relegated to a Dragon issue with the explicit warning of "look, you and I both know this isn't a very fun monster, but people have been asking for it SO here's some ways to include the monster while also not screwing your players over immensely."
I'm glad to see in D&D Next they completely ignored that advice.
EDIT: Nevermind, apparently the Ecology of the Rust Monster article came after MM2.
That said, some quotes from another forum sum this up nicely:
That said the 5e version of this monster is still pretty damn stupid. No no, it doesn't resist nonmagical weapons... it just happens to destroy them. See? Much better! And yeah it leaves wooden weapons alone but there aren't really any good ones. For its CR this is just yet another "screw you for being a Fighter" monster.
The biggest disappointment is magic weapons are immune. I see no reason why the rust monster can not affect any type of metail, unless it has a specific property to resist rust or acid based attacks.
Uchawi wrote:
Do Magic Weapons rust normally in your game?
No? Then why would rust monsters rust them?
And if yes, they probably don't get found very often in classic places like Dragon hoards and ancient tombs, becauase they will have crumbled away long since.
DemoMonkey wrote:
Also keep in mind that just because it can't rust magic armor/weapons doesn't mean it won't try. They can smell the metal, they just can't process it. It's like Rust Monster Sensa.
"Augh! Get it off! Get it off! Why does it keep licking me?!"
Orethalion wrote:
They hear of a nearby cave filled with rust monsters by a traveling merchant. It's a very real threat but one they can handle. He offers to loan them the closest non-metal equivalents for every metal armor and and weapon and holds on to that piece for collateral. After they slay the rust monster threat they find out he's fled with their more expensive armor. I'll make him easy to find but it'll be a reminder to not trust everyone. And if they don't fall for the bait then that's even better.
TheLyons wrote:
Grazel wrote: