Monster Monday: Crystal Brute

RPG monsters

We've been creating monsters based on a gem mine that just so happens to sit on a ley line, which breathes simple life into the crystals there. Miners now have to contend with crystalline monsters that range from annoyance to grave danger.

After creating the crystal wasp and crystal wyrm, let's create a more deadly monster, with a brute. The previous two had simple lightning attacks, and I think this time we'll go with more traditional bashing attacks supplemented with lightning damage.

But let's not stop there! What if the creature can also do an attack similar to that of Colossus in the classic X-Men arcade, where electricity arcs off his body and damages those around him?

Bismuth by dogbomber

For stats, I think the Hezrou is a good starting point: a CR 8 creature that focuses on dealing damage, and resists quite a few damage types. We'll swap out its magic resistance and tone down multiattack from 3 attacks to 2, in return for its "Colossus yell." That'll be a rechargeable lightning attack against all creatures within 10 feet, dealing about half as much damage as the hezrou would if it got all its attacks in.

We'll also keep the same resistances and immunities as the other crystal creatures, as well as their ability to camouflage themselves in their natural environment.

OK, let's do this!

Stat block

Homebrewery stat block:

Crystal Brute

medium elemental, neutral

  • Armor Class 16
  • Hit Points 136 (13d10 + 65)
  • Speed 30 ft.
  • Damage Immunities lightning, poison
  • Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical weapons
  • Condition Immunities poisoned, prone
  • Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)

    Gemstone Camouflage While in a gemstone cavern, a motionless crystal brute is indistinguishable from a normal gem formation.

Actions

Multiattack. The brute makes two slam attacks.

Slam. +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6+4) bludgeoning damage.

Lightning Blast. (Recharge 5-6) All creatures within 10 feet must make a DC 14 Dexterity save, taking 4d10 lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

View the art for this monster here

Next Post Previous Post