Page 4 - Dragonix - DM Options, Monster Talents II

Introduction Talent Descriptions

Below is the format for talent descriptions:

What are Monster Talents?
Monster Name
onster Talents are extraordinary aspects
The name of the monster followed by its CR and
of a creature’s abilities, background,
the number of talents it can haves. A list of talents
Mpersonality, physique, proficiencies, and
available to that monster will be shown below it.
features. They offer a means for you to improve a
Type: The talent type (Trait, Action, Reaction, or
creature's current existing abilities or provide it
with new capabilities. Legendary Action).
Even if you don't use the Player Options: Talents Talent Cost: The count value of the talent. If this
books, you can still use this as a resource, like entry is absent, it means the talent counts as 1
a DM's tool kit, for creating new creatures or talent. Otherwise, some talents have a cost of 2
or 3. This means they count as 2 or 3 talents if
modifying existing ones to suit your adventures.
you take it. For example, the death kiss can have
Be careful though that giving creatures multiple
a maximum of 4 talents. It if acquires the talent
talents, especially ones that provide extra actions,
Lightning Blood Splash, which costs 2 talents, this
resistances, or improved damage capabilities,
means the death kiss can only have 2 more talents.
can increase their difficulty. You should consider
If it acquires Improved Multiattack, which also costs
increasing their CR by 1 or even 2 after adding
2, then it would end up with only those 2 talents.
talents.
Prerequisite: This could be a monster type, a
certain feature or ability, another talent or talents.
This entry is absent if a talent has no prerequisite.
Types of Talents

nlike the talents presented in the Character
How many Talents does it have?
Options: Talents books, there are only four
Utypes of talents here, each categorized on
how they are supposed to be used. They are Traits, he number of talents a creature has is equal
to one third the creature's CR plus one,
Actions, Reactions, and Legendary Actions.
Trounded down. Consult the table below for
Traits. The most common talent type. They
exact details. Of course, as the DM you can choose
are often characterized as a passive talent, such
to give fewer or more talents. However, giving
as improvements to existing abilities, added
more than what's listed below can be dangerous
resistances, or new ongoing effects like auras.
unless you increase the creature's CR.
Others are features like innate spellcasting abilities,
options that require it to take a bonus action, or
Creature Number Creature Number
even grant a monster Legendary Actions!
CR of Talents CR of Talents
Action. A talent that provides the creature with the
Up to 1 1 16 6
use of an action, such as a breath attack or spell like
2 1 17 6
ability. Some actions can be used each turn while 3 2 18 7
others have charges or limits per day. 4 2 19 7
Reaction. A talent that provides the creature with 5 2 20 7
the use of a reaction. 6 3 21 8
7 3 22 8
Legendary Action. A talent that provides the
8 3 23 8
creature with the use of a legendary action. 9 4 24 9
Legendary actions will always come with a cost. 10 4 25 9
11 4 26 9
12 5 27 10
13 5 28 10
14 5 29 10
15 6 30 11

Chapter 3. Bonus Sampler Stat Blocks 3