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Your Top Three Classic 1st Level Monsters

Started by Lynn, April 14, 2015, 01:28:48 PM

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Lynn

April 14, 2015, 01:28:48 PM
I need to pick out three classic monsters for first level, first adventure adventures for a game related project with a strong OSR flavor. Ive pretty much decided that skeletons and zombies should be involved, but Id like to add in another classic that isn't undead. Any suggestions?

The classic giant rat is good, but is there a better one that has a better "reek" of old school gaming?
Lynn Fredricks
Entrepreneurial Hat Collector

Melichor

#1
April 14, 2015, 01:54:28 PM
I've always looked at the goblin as the default 1st level monster.
If it's old school then orcs too.

Werekoala

#2
April 14, 2015, 02:19:12 PM
Skeletons.

Always skeletons.
Lan Astaslem


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EOTB

#3
April 14, 2015, 02:23:22 PM
Men are the underused 1st level monster.  A cult with a 3rd level leader and lots of 0-level men-at-arms.  A thieves guild with 1st level thieves.  A brigand base, etc.

If you're aiming for total RPG newbie players than yes, I think that something more fantasy/supernatural is better, but for established players men are a much more versatile foe and also one that can be challenging in that it isn't always so easy to know who the enemy is.
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Doom

#4
April 14, 2015, 03:52:25 PM
You gotta have a giant spider in there somewhere, or a giant centipede.
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AnthonyRoberson

#5
April 14, 2015, 04:10:09 PM
My picks:

1. Giant Centipede
2. Green Slime
3. Stirge

Honorable Mention: Kobold

Haffrung

#6
April 14, 2015, 05:14:31 PM
Bandits
Skeletons
Giant Spider
 

Rincewind1

#7
April 14, 2015, 05:16:53 PM
Orcs, skeletons and gnolls.
Furthermore, I consider that  This is Why We Don\'t Like You thread should be closed

Ronin

#8
April 14, 2015, 05:19:14 PM
Giant Rats
Kobolds
Skeletons
Vive la mort, vive la guerre, vive le sacré mercenaire

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Opaopajr

#9
April 14, 2015, 07:19:30 PM
Slime.

It'd go best with your Skeletons and Zombies. Also it challenges different party tactics as Slimes resist bludgeon + pierce, Skeletons resist slash + pierce, and Zombies will likely swarm formations with overbearing. Throw in a few weaknesses, like fire (torches) for Slime, bludgeon for Skeleton, and magic for Zombie.

Allow piercing arrows to soften up Zombies and you should be good as those three covers most tactical bases:

Skeletons = close range bludgeon. close range overbearing finish.
Zombies = long range magic + pierce. close range bludgeon + slash finish.
Slime = mid range fire. close range fire + slash finish.

Helps exemplify the value of good teamwork.
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rway218

#10
April 14, 2015, 08:02:53 PM
Gelatinous cube!!!  It's slow, stupid, and kills first level characters!  Ahhhh memories....

Matt

#11
April 14, 2015, 08:17:43 PM
Shawn, Suleiman, and Marshall were all monsters at first level.  Classic stuff.

cranebump

#12
April 14, 2015, 08:33:49 PM
Lions and tigers and bears! (oh shit!)

Actually...spiders, goblins and CULTISTS!
"When devils will the blackest sins put on, they do suggest at first with heavenly shows..."

nDervish

#13
April 15, 2015, 05:48:16 AM
I think I'd go giant rats, goblins, and skeletons.

Doubling up with both skeletons and zombies feels a bit too undead-centric to me, unless you're specifically going for a crypt or something else deliberately undead-themed (in which case I'd use giant rats for the third, scavenging among the bones).  Also, at 2 HD, zombies might be a bit much for inexperienced players with first-level characters to deal with.

One Horse Town

#14
April 15, 2015, 07:44:36 AM
Quote from: Ronin;825858Giant Rats
Kobolds
Skeletons

This.
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