Monster Variation

Here's a list (in no particular order) that could be used to vary the standard monster types, especially the humanoids. Don't try using whole list at once.


Monster Variation
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- Leaders: chiefs, lieutenants, sergeants, captains, king, princes

- Magical support: wizards, shamen, witch doctors, oracles, magic items

- Servants, slaves, non-combatants

- Elites: heroes, bodyguards, special forces, assassins

- Allies: mercenaries, bounty hunters, allied races

- Creatures: pets, tamed animals, vermin, subdued or placated monsters

- Named/famous: group or individual via deeds, tactics, appearance

- Current Status: excellent/poor--health, equipment, morale, motivation, training, discipline

- Mutation: runts, giants, special attack/defense/weakness, superpowered

- Template: undead, fiendish, were, celestial, feral, demonic

- Society: civilized, savage, militaristic, poor, affluent, tribal

- Martial Tactics: frontal assault, swarm, sniper, traps, encirclement, harassment, hostage-taking, suicidal, defensive shell, subterfuge (surrender, false friendship/betrayal)

- Different motivations: defense, attack, greed, hatred, preemptive strike, revenge, misunderstanding

- Physical characteristics: prominent physical features, scars, wounds, clothing, war paint, tattoos, plumage, hairstyle

- Different weapons/armor: magic, exotic, unique

- Inanimate support: traps, tricks, illusions, wards, symbols, animated/sentient--object/force/artifact, "mine field," quicksand and other terrain hazards

- Attitude Hiding/On the run, Insane, Berserk, Controlled, Fallen/Exalted, Disguised, injured/half-dead, Drug addicted, Zealous, Enigmatic, Seeking vengeance, Hiding dark secret, Swindler/manipulator, Charismatic, Professional

- Weird Conditions: Creates spawn, Hive mind, Evolved/Devolved, Supernaturally afflicted, Time/spatially displaced, Giant-sized/Micro-sized, Adapted to foreign environment, Hyper-specialized to environment, Apparition/Ghostly/Disembodied, Half-breed/Monstrous, Raised from dead, Experimented upon, Odd Body part (brain, head, etc), Cloned, Mechanical

- Professions/Groups: Guardian/Guard, Merchant, Spy, Law/Bounty Hunter, Nobility, Prisoner, Mobster, Politician/Government official, Hunting party, Bandits/Pirates, Mercenaries/Adventurers, Press gang, Scavengers, Army/Mercenaries, Tribe/Clan, Religious pilgrims/Cult, Family, Harem, Angry Mob, Outcasts/Untouchables, Gang, Refugees, Caravan, Gladiators