In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e), players and Dungeon Masters often encounter a wide variety of creatures during their adventures. From dragons and undead to fiends and elementals, each creature type serves a purpose both in lore and gameplay mechanics. One type that frequently causes confusion is the ‘monstrosity.’ Many players wonder whether a monstrosity is considered a creature in 5e, especially when interacting with spells, abilities, or items that refer specifically to ‘creatures.’ Understanding the difference between a creature and a creature type is essential for interpreting the rules accurately and making the most of your character’s abilities.
What Counts as a Creature in 5e?
In the rules of D&D 5e, the term ‘creature’ is broad and inclusive. A creature is defined as any being that is not an object or a structure. This includes:
- Humanoids (like humans, elves, and orcs)
- Beasts (like wolves, bears, and horses)
- Undead (like skeletons and zombies)
- Dragons
- Fiends
- Celestials
- Monstrosities
Essentially, any living or animated entity that can act, move, and participate in combat is classified as a creature. This means that, by default, all monstrosities are creatures. However, not all creatures are monstrosities. ‘Monstrosity’ is a subtype within the broader category of creatures.
What Is a Monstrosity in 5e?
According to the Monster Manual, a monstrosity is a creature type that encompasses unnatural and often terrifying beings that don’t fit neatly into other categories. These entities might have been created through magical experimentation, cursed into their forms, or evolved under bizarre conditions.
Key Traits of Monstrosities
Monstrosities often have the following traits:
- They don’t belong to the natural order of the world
- They may have magical, unnatural, or alien features
- They are typically intelligent or at least cunning predators
- They are not constructs, fiends, undead, or elementals, even though some might share visual similarities
Examples of monstrosities include manticores, owlbears, ankhegs, and the displacer beast. These are not beasts, even if they resemble animals, because they exhibit unnatural qualities that set them apart.
How Monstrosities Interact with Spells and Abilities
One reason why players ask whether a monstrosity is a creature is because of spells and abilities that target ‘a creature’ or a specific creature type. Understanding how monstrosities fit into these mechanics is important for proper gameplay.
Spells That Target ‘A Creature’
When a spell or ability states it targets ‘a creature,’ that includes monstrosities unless the spell specifically excludes them. For example:
- Hold Monster This spell affects any creature that isn’t undead or immune to paralysis, including monstrosities
- Polymorph Can target a creature and turn it into a beast; a monstrosity can be the target of this spell
- Charm Monster Works on any creature type, including monstrosities
Therefore, monstrosities count as valid targets for spells, provided the effect doesn’t specify a more limited creature type like humanoid or beast.
Class Abilities and Monstrosities
Some classes, such as Rangers and Paladins, have abilities that are affected by creature types. For example, Rangers choose a ‘favored enemy’ type, and Paladins may gain bonuses against fiends or undead. If a class feature specifically targets monstrosities, it applies only to those creatures and not to all ‘creatures’ in general.
If a player takes ‘monstrosities’ as their favored enemy, they gain specific tracking and knowledge bonuses related to that category. However, abilities that target ‘creatures’ overall will include monstrosities by default.
Rules Clarifications and Misconceptions
It’s common for players to confuse ‘creature’ with more specific terms like ‘beast’ or ‘monster.’ However, in D&D 5e terminology:
- Creatureis the umbrella term for anything alive or animated that can act
- Monsteris an informal term, often used interchangeably with creature, especially for enemies
- Beastis a specific creature type, usually animals with no magical or supernatural qualities
- Monstrosityis a specific creature type with unnatural features
For example, a player may incorrectly assume an owlbear is a beast because it looks like one. In fact, it is a monstrosity and thus does not qualify for beast-targeted spells like Animal Friendship or Beast Bond.
Why Creature Types Matter in Gameplay
Knowing a creature’s type is more than just trivia it affects spellcasting, resistances, immunities, and interactions with many features in the game. The creature type defines how it can be affected or targeted. Here are a few practical reasons this matters:
- Some spells only affect humanoids or beasts
- Monsters may be immune or resistant based on their creature type
- Magic items can be attuned or effective only against certain types
- DMs may set challenges around specific types to test players’ preparation
So while a monstrosity is definitely a creature, it also comes with specific mechanical interactions based on its unique type classification.
Examples of Common Monstrosities
To further clarify the concept, here are some well-known monstrosities and what makes them stand out:
- Owlbear Looks like a beast but is unnaturally aggressive and powerful
- Manticore A flying predator with a lion’s body and a spiked tail, often considered unnatural
- Displacer Beast Can shift its form and bend light around itself, not a natural creature
- Yeti While it appears humanoid, its abilities and lore place it under monstrosity
These creatures do not fit into natural biological categories and often have magical or mysterious origins. Therefore, they are clearly labeled as monstrosities in official D&D sourcebooks.
How Dungeon Masters Use Monstrosities
For DMs, monstrosities are a valuable type of creature for creating memorable encounters. Because they often lack specific weaknesses associated with undead, fiends, or beasts, they can surprise players and offer unique combat dynamics. They are particularly effective in wilderness areas or ancient ruins where strange creatures might lurk.
DMs also use monstrosities to challenge players who overly rely on beast-specific spells or abilities. For example, a Druid who uses Animal Handling or beast-related spells may be caught off guard when facing an owlbear that is immune to such tricks.
To answer the central question yes, a monstrosity is a creature in D&D 5e. However, it is a specific type of creature that falls outside the natural categories like beasts or humanoids. This classification affects how it interacts with spells, abilities, and game mechanics. Understanding this distinction can help both players and Dungeon Masters use the rules effectively and create more dynamic encounters. So the next time you face a displacer beast or manticore, remember: it’s not just a monster it’s a creature type that brings its own unique set of rules to the game.