D&D MONSTER RANKINGS - SPIDERS

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  • Опубликовано: 16 июн 2024
  • Let’s head into the spiders’ den and see what grotesque and fantastical things are lurking in there.
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Комментарии • 345

  • @jgartrell6972
    @jgartrell6972 Год назад +154

    I'm a big fan of the idea of including monsters from older editions in these rankings!

    • @esperthebard
      @esperthebard  Год назад +30

      I'm glad you liked that, I might have to do more of it in future videos 🕷

    • @dragonlord498
      @dragonlord498 Год назад +5

      agreed 5e really just cut so much from everything, i would also suggest maybe looking into pathfinder for certain lists or videos given they have a fairly good list of monsters and lore some of which surpass even if some are more or less copy paste from their dnd versions while others have been improved

    • @machineknight1875
      @machineknight1875 Год назад +1

      I am as well. Esper introduced me to some interesting monster of 3.5e that I want to bring into 5e...tomb spider

    • @tech9d
      @tech9d Год назад +3

      I was going to say the same thing, this is giving me some awesome ideas for my current campaign. I'll have to look some of them up and try to balance them for 5e but i'm super stoked to use these guys. Thanks Esper! Not only do you help me sleep at night, you give me great ideas!

    • @Amadmaniac1
      @Amadmaniac1 Год назад

      @@esperthebard When you talked about Arasta and Lolth's lengendary actions, it reminded me of this homebrew monster I made up called the Ettercap Mage, it's really more like an Ettercap with double the health, some Druid spellcasting and a few legendary actions to summon spider swarms. I made it a CR 5 creature but it can speak druidic.

  • @Takeda10K
    @Takeda10K Год назад +158

    “Oh great lady fey of the lake, awaken! For the one called Esper the Bard brings us a new tier list of creatures so vile!”

    • @Nestmind
      @Nestmind Год назад +4

      To exterminate them all sure is a quest worthy of the Lady's blessin!

    • @TheMightyBattleSquid
      @TheMightyBattleSquid Год назад +5

      Fey of the lake? Does that make her a feyke?

    • @Nestmind
      @Nestmind Год назад +1

      @@TheMightyBattleSquid an elven goddess in Disguise to be precise

    • @hbsavage0387
      @hbsavage0387 Год назад

      If she hands you a stick it is surely the Zepher blade. So don’t throw it into the center of the lake but towards its.

  • @orangexlightning
    @orangexlightning Год назад +7

    I tried to squish a spider before going to bed, and this is the first thing I see upon waking up. That's not concerning at all LMAO.

  • @georgethompson913
    @georgethompson913 Год назад +66

    I'm surprised DnD doesn't have a Jorogumo monster.
    A spider succubus, would be interesting.

    • @blooddoctor2721
      @blooddoctor2721 Год назад

      You have my attention🧐🧐

    • @TheTrueFeleas
      @TheTrueFeleas Год назад +6

      That's where the Yochlol come from. They were originally Succubi who got transformed by Lolth.

    • @harley8047
      @harley8047 Год назад

      I'd get the *S U C C* from spidey-ho.

    • @deadlight88
      @deadlight88 Год назад +1

      I believe Pathfinder does

    • @wesleymcbride8084
      @wesleymcbride8084 Год назад

      You just want spussy or spideussy? that’s all you want I will bonk you

  • @MarkLewis...
    @MarkLewis... Год назад +61

    We knew Lolth, sure, but... I was so curious if anything else would be on S-tier with her?!
    And she answered and went godsmack on me, and said: "I... stand alone."
    When it comes to ANY DnD content and the best... Esper also stands alone!

    • @ChurchillGeoff
      @ChurchillGeoff Год назад +1

      I don't think Mishka was ever stated but I know but Chris Perkins use the rod as part of his liveplay Storm Kings Thuder

    • @MarkLewis...
      @MarkLewis... Год назад

      @@ChurchillGeoff Do you mean Miska the Wolf Spider in "The Rod of 7 Parts"?

    • @royjaskowski905
      @royjaskowski905 Год назад

      Ungoliant, top tier (or higher).

    • @ChurchillGeoff
      @ChurchillGeoff Год назад

      @@royjaskowski905 problem is no edition would be allowed to publish Ungoliant as an option because of the Tolkien estate which is why halflings are not called hobbits

    • @MarkLewis...
      @MarkLewis... Год назад

      @@royjaskowski905 Yeah, but that's Tolkien lore, not DnD, and her abilities are brief in The Silmarillion.

  • @Cindolintoe
    @Cindolintoe Год назад +14

    Did anybody else start laughing a bit too hard when they realized the Lhosk is a spider monkey?
    On another note, I want all of these ranking videos to include older additions, now. My group doesn't play 5E anymore, but the lore and mechanics of older additions can be so intriguing and inspiring. I feel like modern DnD just couldn't do a spider-gorilla hybrid justice. Between the Lhosk and the web golem, I've got some statblocks to homebrew. Gratitude to the bard, as always.

  • @Cory2000
    @Cory2000 Год назад +8

    So with the Spider Tier List we can predict some new videos:
    Insect Tier List
    Snake Tier List
    Carnivora Tier List (covers Cats, Dogs, and other sub-tiers lists)
    Winged Tier List (covers Bird and Bats sub-tiers as well as other winged animals)

    • @ananslator3655
      @ananslator3655 Год назад

      That would be interesting perhaps a part three on monstrosities or aberrations

  • @purplehaze2358
    @purplehaze2358 Год назад +4

    Welp, this is gonna be a big trigger for my arachnophobia. I might not make it all the way through, but I'll give it an honest try at least.

  • @starrr_dust
    @starrr_dust Год назад +33

    Yay! New tier list! I like how you included older edition monsters. I miss th' monsters from 3.5 too. Ettercaps used to be able to speak in older editions.

    • @esperthebard
      @esperthebard  Год назад +4

      I was happy to include older editions monsters in there. 3.5 was awesome for sure, though in looking through those entries I realized how much I do not miss how clunky they were to implement. While the 3.5 stat blocks did become more user-friendly over time, they still have you jumping backing and forth between sections, trying to remember feats on every monster, and many features have lengthy inefficient wordings. 4e has sort of the opposite problem, with things being too streamlined and simplified. 5e strikes a great balance between the two, which is one of its strengths.

    • @starrr_dust
      @starrr_dust Год назад +1

      @@esperthebard yes, 3.5 was complicated, but I still miss th' variety and amount of customization options.

    • @Dahaka-rd6tw
      @Dahaka-rd6tw Год назад

      @@esperthebard Do you have 'Creature Codex' or 'Tome of Beasts books'?
      What Is the Most Evil Demon and Demon Lord in D&D?(Kobold Press edition)
      sounds kinda nice.

    • @esperthebard
      @esperthebard  Год назад

      @Dahaka 4444 My local gaming group and I have actually had them for years, though I haven't made any videos that discuss them. Largely this is because I'm not quite sure how to approach the topic. My overall thoughts on the Kobold Press bestiaries are "These books have some interesting monster concepts, but I'm shocked and sometimes slightly put off by their lack of grasp on 5e monster creation. The balance is all over the place, and the wordings are inconsistent." So, I like some aspects, but other aspects are almost unusable.

  • @damianarvizu1095
    @damianarvizu1095 Год назад +5

    This old timer really liked how you mentioned the intelligent spiders from The Isle of Dread. There was a also proto ettercap/chitine: Dragon Magazine had a one off adventure called The Temple of the Chagmat. I thought it was so good that I ran it in 2e and even redesigned it for 5e.

  • @firestorm165
    @firestorm165 Год назад +4

    As luck would have it I'm actually working on a drow partisan campaign so this will be very useful

    • @esperthebard
      @esperthebard  Год назад

      You will have a lot of great spider and drow resources to draw upon. Some of the most developed lore and ecologies in all of D&D.

  • @bskec2177
    @bskec2177 Год назад +7

    22:17 that's the image from "The Isle of Dread" classic adventure, and that's the one I always think of when someone mentions Aranea. I also seem to remember that in Basic it had a body the size of a pony, not just human size, and the were able to cast spells as a 3rd level Magic-User (think Wizard for 5e or AD&D). I like them because they are just intelligent spiders, no human faces or humanoid parts on them, just smart spiders, and that is scarier than anything else.

  • @SampoPaalanen
    @SampoPaalanen Год назад +1

    The nice thing about Lolth is that sure, she's ultimately an evil creature, but she's also intelligent enough that depending on the campaign you could also have her as an ally.
    It could make a very interesting role playing scenario where a mostly good aligned party would have to ally with Lolth to defeat a common enemy, starting with a reason as to why would such a thing happen. Also having a powerful evil creature temp the players to align with her after all is done could lead to nice role playing scenarios.

  • @Spiceodog
    @Spiceodog Год назад +26

    Hey esper, the blade spider actually has a official 5e statblock printed in minsc and boos mini book/pamphlet thingy that they made .

    • @esperthebard
      @esperthebard  Год назад +11

      Ah I just found it now. I had overlooked it because it's named "sword spider" (which I believe is actually the traditional name for this creature). In fact, I even got its image into the video. Here's my rating for it:
      Fantastic illustration, effective features though nothing particularly unique or exciting, a good amount of lore but nothing very original or inspiring.
      Mechanics: 2
      Style: 4
      Roleplaying: 1
      Lore: 2
      Versatility: 2
      Total: 11 (mid D Tier)

    • @Spiceodog
      @Spiceodog Год назад +3

      @@esperthebard would be really cool if they added some battle master maneuvers or a parry . Nothing like fighting what you believed was just a big dumb brute only to realize that they have a near human intelligence, and nest near the training grounds of drow military academies. There they watch and study the drow duelist techniques. These changes Could easily bump the lore and mechanics up a notch and bring it into a mid or even high C tier .

    • @indiana47
      @indiana47 Год назад

      I got the monster manual expanded and it has a CR 5 sword spider which is great since it is good for a high level moon druid.

    • @Spiceodog
      @Spiceodog Год назад +2

      @@indiana47 yeah I have that book too. It’s great for Druids as it gives some new options where there weren’t many before . I also use the tpk beastiary that can make powerful legendary versions of any beast or beast like monster , increasing there cr by 9

  • @landremon
    @landremon Год назад

    My favorite format of dnd content on youtube thanks Esper

  • @JeriDro
    @JeriDro Год назад +1

    Esper, you are an awesome narrator, love just kickin' back and learning more about D&D.

  • @geoaltman9344
    @geoaltman9344 Год назад +2

    Wooooooot! I always love settling to bed and see there's a new tier list. Absolutely wonderful E man!

  • @ZorgoXorgon
    @ZorgoXorgon Год назад +5

    Please back Esper's Kickstarter! It's a great addition to any table. Useful for both players and DMs!
    I have backed, but my RUclips account email is different from my KS account. Just in case that skews your numbers. I'm really looking forward to the new book!

  • @brettonalwood4173
    @brettonalwood4173 Год назад +8

    I really enjoyed the additional of third and fourth edition entries. The tomb spider really got me thinking of developing a whole Egyptian, Mayan society with these creatures acting as a sort of sacred beast while lolth worshippers nurture them and Revere the spider husks the creat. Sort of the proto version of the more modern drow.

  • @cristianvazquez759
    @cristianvazquez759 Год назад +2

    I LOVE your tier lists Esper. Unironically some of the most inspirational videos that I've ever seen for DMing.

    • @esperthebard
      @esperthebard  Год назад +1

      Well that is awesome to read, thanks so much!

  • @deadsparrow132
    @deadsparrow132 Год назад

    Love it! Learned a lot about spider monstrosities in this video. Finally, something to build up my arsenal!

  • @samuelmeasa9283
    @samuelmeasa9283 Год назад +1

    I forget where I heard the idea from. But it took a Drow you faced and brought them back as a Dryder(mini Boss). This was because while on their trial from Lolth, your party came along and defeated them. This gave them an extra intensive to kill the party.

  • @seanmulvany7449
    @seanmulvany7449 Год назад +5

    Great job on all your Videos! Huge help and inspiration.

  • @jamesadamsfl
    @jamesadamsfl Год назад +1

    Lolth is a great villain and a major element in a lot of DnD lore. I feel like the discussion of her is incomplete without mentioning Eilistraee and Vhaeraun or that she and Corellion were once an item. The divine family drama at play here opens a lot of avenues for roleplay and exploration.
    I can't believe Lolth was ever considered a "lesser goddess." Wow, have things changed.

  • @pant0sand0hat
    @pant0sand0hat Год назад +2

    What a beautiful distraction from the world. I appreciate you.

  • @valiensr1037
    @valiensr1037 Год назад +11

    I like you using other editions for this list. I don’t know if this is the first time you’ve done this for a tier list, but I hope you do this for all future lists. 😁 Keep up the awesome work

    • @esperthebard
      @esperthebard  Год назад +2

      That's great to hear! A couple others have also left similar comments, so I'm feeling even more interested now.

    • @valiensr1037
      @valiensr1037 Год назад +1

      @@esperthebard Glad to hear I’m not the only one! It’d be nice to hear some revised lists that include creatures from past editions. Not to say I’d prefer that over new stuff, just food for thought. 😄

  • @justinwhite915
    @justinwhite915 Год назад +1

    That was freaking amazing. Great work Esper!

  • @Skrighk
    @Skrighk Год назад

    I just watched the mimic video, and now am watching this. I REALLY love you giving attention to previous edition gems. I legit might buy a book just to get the 4e stats for the tower core and a few things here

  • @bcodero6713
    @bcodero6713 Год назад +9

    Just backed the Kickstarter. Esper’s Emporium of Esoterica was great so I’m excited to see what you’ve come up with here.

    • @esperthebard
      @esperthebard  Год назад +2

      Thank you! Glad you liked EEE so much, this new one will be full of great features to sink your teeth into for a long time to come!

  • @ronincalderon2247
    @ronincalderon2247 Год назад

    It's funny that I found this video while researching different spiders for my campaign with Lolth as the BBEG. Thanks for the inspiration.

  • @peggle09
    @peggle09 Год назад +2

    Eddercap lore is kinda fun, Not sure if it was you but there was one about Eddercaps being Druids that went to far in the way of the Spider and became Eddercaps

    • @vopetas
      @vopetas Год назад +1

      Think it was jorphdan or ajpickett, but yeah. Good lore.

  • @matthewhumphrey496
    @matthewhumphrey496 Год назад

    I'd love more this style video, its wonderful to watch.

  • @AlphaCocoAudio
    @AlphaCocoAudio Год назад

    I'm happy to see another tier list!

  • @Jackolantirn
    @Jackolantirn Год назад +1

    I was playing Baldur's Gate 1 yesterday for the first time. Came across a spider nest where an NPC named Centeol lived. Centeol is a powerless, ugly, morbidly bloated woman who relies on spiders to feed her and keep her alive. She was once a beautiful sorceress, who lusted over only one man, but that man was in love with his wife. So Centeol plotted, had his wife killed, and attempted to get him for herself. But the man learned that she killed his wife, so he cursed Centeol , and trapped her in the body she is in now. She has since lost her mind, and after you defeat the spiders, she begs for a mercy killing.

  • @internetcatfish
    @internetcatfish Год назад +3

    The flavor text in the rankings of this video was probably my favorite set. Just down there in f tier like "hey stoopid".

    • @esperthebard
      @esperthebard  Год назад

      It actually took me a while to figure out which band/singer to go with on this one, but found the perfect one ;)

  • @TheSlasherJunkie
    @TheSlasherJunkie 9 месяцев назад +1

    Note on Volo's Guide: If you try looking these up in D&DBeyond, you'll see it registered as Mordenkainen's Monsters of the Multiverse. Reason being they're fundamentally the same book, which is why you can't get digital copies of Volo's or a hard copy of Mordenkainen's. The only difference, and I do mean only, is that Mordenkainen's features Aberrations in remarkable detail- so unless you're running Out of the Abyss or Descent into Avernus, the hard copy would suffice. Of course I learned this after buying both.

  • @lordeppiothe1
    @lordeppiothe1 Год назад +6

    maybe for roleplaying options if you really want spiders to be important in your campaign, give one of the players a custom wearable item that gives it the ability to speak with specifically spiders either as long as they wear it, or a set time per day. This can give even boring spiders a chance to stand out as they chatter amongst each other and about the party. Similar like in the hobbit to when bilbo put on the ring in murkwood and could understand the giant spiders. it gives spiders personality and gives a good roleplay chance for the dm and players, and gives the players a chance to deal with the spiders more creatively other then just kill them on sight.

  • @jemleye
    @jemleye Год назад

    Always love these rankings! Are you considering expanding into other systems some time, like Pathfinder? Maybe even comparative rankings?

  • @thelonelystoner4676
    @thelonelystoner4676 Год назад

    Love these videos not only for the creatures but also cause I like to sea how many of the artworks shown are mtg original card art

  • @arandomzoomer4837
    @arandomzoomer4837 Год назад

    The children of time series really made me love spiders. Where I am currently staying it is their breeding season, you can see they're such good mothers, they're carrying these big egg sacs while their actual abdomens are very small which means they've basically been prioritizing caring for their little babies over finding food. I like to have a playable race of full-blown sentient spiders in my world that trade with other civilizations and have beautiful glistening web architecture

  • @philswiftdestroyerofworlds1988
    @philswiftdestroyerofworlds1988 Год назад +1

    I used the Dhampir race and reflavoured it for a spider-like character
    The thirst was him just drinking creatures innards
    He was a rogue/fighter multiclass that just climbed everywhere

  • @elanorheinz7787
    @elanorheinz7787 Год назад +1

    This tier list is amazing, but I will vouch for the low-ranking unaligned predators. Lack of sapience isn't parallel to a lack of sentience, and there are a lot of non-combat based, even rewarding interactions you can have with something as unique as the humble spider.

  • @LivingShdw
    @LivingShdw Год назад +1

    I just want to give a shout-out to the Fang of Lloth prestige class from Song and Silence (3.0)
    Basically, it turns the character into a half-spider while giving some rogue progression.

  • @HenryHeimlich
    @HenryHeimlich Год назад +3

    Excellent list! Really works my arachnophobia! I will say, though, I wish that the Red Widow from Ravenloft made it to the list. She always struck particular fear in me: A spider that disguises itself as a beautiful red haired woman that seduces men so that she can copulate with them to fertilize her eggs, then at his "release" shift into her spider form to devour her lover. A truly horrific monster!

  • @demiurgusgodofform8589
    @demiurgusgodofform8589 Год назад +1

    As an arachnophobe, I hate that you made this list, but as a Fantasy TTRPG enthusiast, I understand why you made this and appreciate it.

  • @mossy3565
    @mossy3565 Год назад +2

    I'd argue that a giant wolf spider is a really great alternative to Goblins. Goblins are such a joke nowadays that they're usually just easy xp...
    But a giant-ish spider scuttling out of the floor like a trapdoor spider and grabbing the Druid's leg? Oho, that'll keep things fresh when your players get bored

  • @redleafgaming3335
    @redleafgaming3335 Год назад

    I've been waiting for this for so long

  • @meekalefox2703
    @meekalefox2703 Год назад +1

    I’d make it so phase spiders travel in packs, maybe eight to nine in a group. Then they could stalk your players and mess with them by quickly appearing and disappearing just in their peripheral, or even appearing suddenly in front of them, only to vanish just as quick. It gives them some RP value and makes for a creepy encounter out of an otherwise unremarkable creature.

  • @rachdarastrix5251
    @rachdarastrix5251 Год назад +2

    1:55 Interesting point of view here, a Giant Spider coming for a winged horse. You can't help but feel bad for him. He is completely out matched. It is a completely unfair encounter.
    For the spider.
    Because you would have to remember, while in modern interpretations a winged horse just has normal horse stats with human intelligence plus can fly, the original ancestor of all winged horses, Pegasus, was a demi god.

  • @DrLipkin
    @DrLipkin Год назад

    I used spider monsters in a random encounter that seriously unnerved my players.
    Two ettercaps with web garrotes inside of a disguised trapdoor. Beneath the trapdoor is a vertical tunnel lined with webs, at the bottom of which is a choldrith. One of the PCs was standing watch in the desert at night, failed a perception check, and got dragged into the trap door. The players were immediately agitated, because everyone but the sentry was asleep. So they had to make perception checks with disadvantage to see if they heard him get grabbed. Then once they woke up, they had to make more perception checks to locate the trap door. All while the sentry is being strangled and making constitution checks to stay conscious.
    Eventually one of the PCs located the trap door and threw it open, leading to a battle to was on a vertical plane instead of a horizontal one. Once everyone was conscious and working together, the battle went pretty quick (especially when someone cast Wall of Water at the bottom of the tunnel). But the panic I inspired in my players is something I cherish to this day.

  • @heathharris2545
    @heathharris2545 Год назад

    I had forgotten about the tomb spider! My PC's are going to hate you. Thank you for reminding me!

  • @jarbies004
    @jarbies004 Год назад +4

    your kickstarter is so cool!!

  • @Mikhander
    @Mikhander Год назад

    Oh I remember the spider king from the Out of the Abyss. He had to bribed so that he allowed players to go on, good memories :)

  • @davidkoudelka10
    @davidkoudelka10 Год назад +1

    15:26 Honestly I think the blackspawn stalker has some real horror potential, and perhaps showing a more horrific side to the Cult of Tiamat other than the usual "dragons×10" stuff.

  • @negatron313
    @negatron313 Год назад

    For my own OSR game using the Hyperborea system I created two kinds of giant jumping spiders, the first are German Shepherd sized, can leap 90 feet, have a paralytic venom, and a reat chance at surprising, the second are worse yet, these are either long-jawed or greater and have all the first did, but higher damage dice, more hit-dice, and even can take player lvls and be spell casters. My party was rather surprised when they found out that they had to deal with one that was a Priest and further surprised when another that was an Illusionist that knew Invisibility.

  • @gre3nishsinx0Rgold4
    @gre3nishsinx0Rgold4 Год назад

    I'd love to see more dnd spider tier list. Dnd Spider Lore and the characters have a special place in my heart. With my very first character being an arachne (half humanoid, half spider).

    • @gpes2410
      @gpes2410 24 дня назад

      I'm trying to do that as well, can you tell me about your build?

  • @Hallowoct313
    @Hallowoct313 Год назад +1

    Improved fey spider. It’s a small spider that can mimic voices and sounds like a mocking jay. These voices emit thru the ethereal. A false haunting is what i call it a house infested with these is the perfect surprise twist to a ghost busting mission. They mimic screams also they can knock over objects as they appear and dissapear acting like a poltergeist

  • @bleach-kun
    @bleach-kun Год назад

    I once ran a ranger that had ptsd from a spider attack when he was a boy, which manifested as his Favored Foe. His Arachnophobia literally gave him strength lmfao

  • @Weirdoid
    @Weirdoid Год назад +1

    A few cool ones from earlier editions.
    Planar Spider (mystara) intelligent phase spiders.
    Head Hunter (ravenloft) their razor sharp webs sever limbs and they wear victims heads.
    Red Widow (ravenloft) they assune human form to lure in prey.
    Mishka the Wolf Spider: demon lord

  • @ded2thaworld963
    @ded2thaworld963 Год назад +2

    “it’s just a human sized spider.”….man what!?

  • @ryanjones8096
    @ryanjones8096 Год назад

    Got on that Kickstart, last 9 hrs before it eneded, so let's gooo!!!

  • @keylimepython641
    @keylimepython641 Год назад

    Could you please do something covering 3e's epic handbook monsters? Those things are wild, really cool, and I don't think they're talked about enough.

  • @ErikVonStrix3
    @ErikVonStrix3 Год назад +1

    I used to think that drider was a really creative name for a monster... And then years later I realized it's just a portmanteau of DRow and spIDER.

    • @MySerpentine
      @MySerpentine Год назад

      I think Eberron or something has a scorpion varient that's called a scorrow, so . . . yeah.

  • @krafthelvedemand
    @krafthelvedemand 7 месяцев назад

    There are also the Chwidencha which are grotesque masses of spidery legs and come into existence when a less powerful drow is tested by Lolth and fails.

  • @gavinruneblade
    @gavinruneblade Год назад

    If you look into even older editions, then BECMI has some really cool options. The deity Korotiku is a spider trickster and philosopher as well as shapeshifter who makes a great patron for a good aligned character who likes spiders.
    The Aranea have a truly amazing civilization in the Kingdom of Herath deepening their lore significantly and resulting in many cool NPCs who get story appearances in the Voyages of the Princess Ark. Aranea in BECMI have three terrifying variations, the mages of Herath have the ability to become invisible and gain innate magical powers called legacies from a curse they unleashed on their neighbors. The Arasheem is an undead Aranea that was powerful enough to "survive" failing the attempt to become a lich, and still retains at least 12-level wizard capabilities on top of all the normal Aranea powers. The Yeshom is a successful Aranea Lich which has become a black ooze spider of pure evil and is ridiculously powerful magically, they have all the abilities of a lich a black pudding an aranea and an 18th level wizard plus a wide selection of special powers from the red curse with none of the drawbacks other lesser entities suffer. In BECMI, Aranea and their kingdom of Herath are absolutely terrifying.
    The Neh-Thalgu or Brain Collector is a BECMI original that appeared in many other editions and is a denizen of the dimension of nightmares that steals brains and then can use all the memories and abilities of all the brains it has stolen and embedded into its abdomen (dimensions are not merely planes, each dimension is a complete multiverse itself with copies of all planes in the main multiverse, so the dimension of nightmares has a parallel abyss, celestia, aethereal sea, etc.). The Planar Spiders of BECMI are intelligent spellcasting merchants.
    Shroud spiders are the apex spiders among BECMI's beasts, with glowing eyes, immunity to non-magic weapons, and webs that aren't sticky but instead have a paralytic venom coating them. Sand spiders are the trapdoor variant 5e is missing. The Rhagodessa is a 10-legged spider with suction cups on the extra limbs instead of webs. The crab spider color shifts like a chameleon, and the tarantella has a poison that makes you dance until you die of exhaustion. Even the basic huge wood spider is a little cooler in BECMI as they are most often encountered as the trained mounts of Wood Imps who are fey that lost their immortality and magic and live among the spiders as petty tyrants and bandits.

  • @Dudeamis17
    @Dudeamis17 Год назад +1

    Maybe demons are resistant to fire and poison because of Bebiliths, developing a natural defense against their predators, and the Bebilith have yet to develop new hunting techniques.

  • @adamwelch4336
    @adamwelch4336 Год назад +2

    You forgot the astroid spider from Spelljammer 🕷️🕸️

  • @owlthemolfar4690
    @owlthemolfar4690 Год назад +2

    Thank you for the video!

  • @nachschub4836
    @nachschub4836 Год назад +1

    Their is just nobody who does as great rankings as you do! I love that you look at so many diffrent things and like you sad it is a roleplaying game.
    I get your rating for the wolf spider but it is actually much better in my opinion not because it is earning more then you rated it but because it is one of the cooler and better animal companions a ranger can get which makes it pretty useful as a creature. The next character I want to make is a beastmaster goblin using the wolfspider and writing into battle on it^^.

    • @nachschub4836
      @nachschub4836 Год назад

      PS: the same of course goes for the normal spider because it can be a familiar so it can be a very useful creature with tons of personalty but that of course is what we make of it as players and dm's and not the statblock itself.

  • @rippertrain
    @rippertrain Год назад

    I received my espers emporium hard cover today!!! It's beautiful!!!!! Top quality book. Great illustrations. You must have had to hire an artist? Wow what a great 5e book. I'm surprised dungeons and dragons haven't hired you.

    • @esperthebard
      @esperthebard  Год назад

      Thank you Rob! Yes, I hired many artists and did some illustrations myself.

  • @zannrazor8569
    @zannrazor8569 Год назад

    There was also Yarnspinner the spider archfey from Domain of Delight , he like to read stories to woodland critters

  • @EnnuiElpis
    @EnnuiElpis Год назад +2

    On the Drow and their related monsters, I always thought that the transformation into a Drider being a punishment never made any sense. Looking at it, it’s purely an upgrade to be turned into one of those things.
    I would instead replace their position with the Chitine and Choldrith, which actually make sense as a cursed punishment.
    On the Drider, give them the ability to transform into fully humanoid drow, as well as into full giant spiders. Basically, they’d be Lolth’s take on lycanthropy. Only female Drow would be turned into them, and it would be said in lore that it was a gift. for marrying Lolth, who would have many Drider wives. All Matron Mothers would be one of these, as well as certain high ranking priestesses. That’s how I would do Drow society.

    • @EnnuiElpis
      @EnnuiElpis Год назад

      Oh, one more thing. The Drow Matron Mother’s Fickle Favor ability needs a rework. At present, it actually helps the party more than the enemies. It should really last a minute, and the damage it deals shouldn’t be automatic, but rather be something that triggers and ends the advantage effect if the drow it is used on misses an attack or fails an ability check or saving throw while it is in effect. That would make it much more dynamic and more interesting for parties to play against.
      On the Driders, you could even add a lot more variety to them by having there be different types based on different types of spiders, each of which have their own unique abilities and hunting strategies.

  • @mr.watson3237
    @mr.watson3237 Год назад

    Aw man I missed the kickstarter!😢 Looked like a really cool project too.

    • @esperthebard
      @esperthebard  Год назад +1

      Don't fret, just preorder ;) monstrous-heroes-5e-monster-classes.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders

  • @sassyviking6003
    @sassyviking6003 Год назад

    Fun idea I like to use. Goblins and giant wolf spiders etc don't have to be weak or boring. If you want to spice them up a bit I love to mount goblins on worlf spiders. Then then mounted goblins can ride the spiders onto the ceiling of the cave or whatever you're fighting in, one of melee reach, and will have a reasonable excuse for all their weapons to be poisoned with giant wolf spider venom. Takes an otherwise bland encounter and somewhat ljterally flips it on it's head (cause the ceiling goblins will be upsidedown).

  • @IANRoberts-ug6sq
    @IANRoberts-ug6sq Год назад

    Cool video.
    One I think you missed is Ravenloft's Red Widow. Female spider Lycanthropes who breed with humanoids with horrifyingly predictable results

  • @georgemercer402
    @georgemercer402 Год назад

    My older sister is well versed in Lolth because her first character was a half-drow, so she might be able to help me set something up for a close encounter with Lolth. Also, the Lloskh (sorry if misspelled) reads the literal appearance of a spider-monkey

  • @stuffstuff6932
    @stuffstuff6932 Год назад

    Great vid as always though this would be a hard one to eat dinner to.

  • @idesofmarch143
    @idesofmarch143 11 месяцев назад

    I always liked the idea that demons are resistant to fire and poison as adaptations to help stop predation by bebiliths.
    For ettercaps, there was an article in Dragon Magazine #343 that vastly expanded their lore as corrupted druids and gave more statblocks.

  • @ckmishn3664
    @ckmishn3664 Год назад

    Re: Aranae
    "They're typically neutral aligned" he says while showing the Isle of Dread stat block at 22:28 that labels them as "Chaotic". Also, yes they "keep to themselves" in the sense that they don't hang out with other species, but they are definitely social with each other.

  • @mattnerdy7236
    @mattnerdy7236 Год назад

    Hey Esper, as soon as I seen the thumbnail I knew I had a spider for you, lol. "I am the Spider!" Please let me know what you think if and when you have the time 😊. My conversion below.
    Quest for the Silver Sword (BECMI).
    White Widow Spider: use giant spider upper stat block.
    ACTION.
    Bite.
    Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 7 (1d8 +3) piercing damage, and the target must make a DC 11 Constitution saving throw against cryotoxin or be instantly frozen, indefinitely. The target appears dead to all outward inspection. Only magic will reveal that the target is still alive, a lesser restoration spell will end the Effect on the target.
    Web (Recharge 5-6).
    The white widow spider can spray her web upto 60 ft. away, filling a 20 ft. square, webbing doesn't require an anchor between two solid masses (such as walls or trees). The white widow's webbing is not used to trap prey, it instead whistles or hums in the wind. The webbing plays magical harp music. The white widow's webbing appears as sparkling strings of ice or jets of water frozen in midair. As an action a creature can make a DC 14 Strength check, bursting the webbing on a success. The webbing can also be attacked and destroyed (AC 12; hp 5; vulnerability to bludgeoning; immunity to cold, poison, and psychic damage).
    Whistling Web.
    Every Humanoid and Giant within 30 ft. of the web that can hear the music must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be Charmed until the music ends. The music ends if the web is destroyed. While Charmed by the music, a target is Incapacitated. If the Charmed target is more than 5 ft. away from the web, they must move on its turn toward the web by the most direct route. It doesn't avoid Opportunity Attacks, but before moving into damaging terrain, such as lava or a pit, and whenever it takes damage from a source other than the White Widow Spider, a target can repeat the saving throw. A creature can also repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns. If a creature's saving throw is successful, the Effect ends on it. A target that successfully saves is immune to this web's whistling music for the next 24 hours.
    Thanks for the video you have a wonderful day!

  • @Oddmanoutre
    @Oddmanoutre Год назад +1

    21:13 Well, the sages might be wrong about the bebeliths being older than the other demons; alternately, maybe the bebeliths are the reason that demons have fire and poison immunities (survival of the fittest).

  • @Mare_Man
    @Mare_Man Год назад +1

    Something I've always wondered; if Lolth and her worshippers love spiders so much, why does she make turning them into Driders a punishment instead of the ultimate reward?

    • @user-vm9xz4kv9z
      @user-vm9xz4kv9z Год назад +1

      AFAIK it's because it means you were so weak, that Lolth needed to give you a buff so you'd be less of an embarrassment.
      Also, it means you were getting helped by someone, which is looked down upon in Drow society
      Also, the transformation sterilizes you

    • @esperthebard
      @esperthebard  Год назад

      That's a great question. The impression I got was that the drider form is a big downgrade for the powerful drow who failed the proving test.
      Its appearance is so unique that drow instantly recognize it as one of the rejected, cursed ones. They despise it not because it's part spider, but because Lolth depsises it.

  • @raff3486
    @raff3486 Год назад

    Older edition's monsters are always good to see, no matter what the editions is!

  • @redleafgaming3335
    @redleafgaming3335 Год назад

    DM: Only loth can see thru the darkness
    Players: I have dark vision

  • @nightingaleseraph
    @nightingaleseraph Год назад

    I appreciate the MTG spider art. so many of the spiders in that game are criminally slept on and I wish I had prints of all of them.

    • @esperthebard
      @esperthebard  Год назад

      Any favorite mtg spiders? I've used deadly recluse quite a bit, it's a great cheap defensive creature.

  • @LordDuddy77
    @LordDuddy77 Год назад

    Excuse me Esper but what is the pic at 1:42 of the Giant Spider coming out of a mountain reading a book to the wild life critters from? Mtg? D&D? But also love your monster rankings hope to see more in the future 👍

    • @esperthebard
      @esperthebard  Год назад

      Thanks Dustin! It's an illustration from Wild Beyond the Witchlight. I haven't actually played the module, but the image was great for this.

  • @Sgt-Wolf
    @Sgt-Wolf Год назад

    "Spiders, why did it have to be spiders?" - Ryu 2011

  • @lujoviste
    @lujoviste Год назад

    Hey Man. Would you do a list for the best homebrew for monsters and races? Think that would be interesting

  • @paragonmythwonders8117
    @paragonmythwonders8117 Год назад +1

    The tomb spider is true nightmare fuel.

  • @TKDB13
    @TKDB13 Месяц назад

    You missed my personal favorite D&D spider! Though I don't blame you -- it's from a fairly obscure setting-specific bestiary, the Dangerous Denizens supplement for the Kingdoms of Kalamar setting. The bouncing spider is a giant spider with a unique combat trick: It can use its webbing as a sort of bungee cord, letting it leap in from a considerable distance to snatch up prey and yoink it back to its web thanks to the springy web tether. And they will absolutely use this ability tactically to divide and conquer groups of intruders in their territory: They're intelligent, with a respectable 11 Int and an actual society and culture hinted at in the book.

  • @walterroche8192
    @walterroche8192 Год назад

    I agree with your point on Phase spiders. They need more intelligence to make better use if their abilities.
    I need to point out something that is often missed about Lloth and that is her origin points towards her being God Cursed. She is quite literally one of the VERY few who were personally cursed by a Greater God. One who is considered only second in power on Torill & the D&D universe.

  • @DeadwardDiesinger
    @DeadwardDiesinger Год назад

    Ah! you missed my personal favourite, the ol' Spider Horse

  • @ROYBGP
    @ROYBGP 9 месяцев назад

    The Phase Spider is my go-to monster for either new players or low level bad ass scary monster. It's just so weird, scary, and *brutal.*

  • @PhyreSpore
    @PhyreSpore Год назад +2

    I wish I'd known about Arasta's art before my players had reached our Big Boss fight. It was a magic spider that had infected the God of Dreams. Arasta's art is way more fitting than Sheoldred's.
    This was a fun video. Full of neat monsters I'd never heard of and not too rambly about each one.

    • @esperthebard
      @esperthebard  Год назад

      It is some amazing art, by Jesper Ejsing.
      Also thanks, I made a concentrated effort this ranking not to get too long-winded.

  • @thenightvulture7321
    @thenightvulture7321 Год назад +1

    Wait a minute, hold up, roll back the cart. You're telling me that you're just gonna stand there hold up the torch while me and the rest of the guys are gonna go down in this dark dungeon. Completely covered in spirit webb's probably a temple of Lolth or what ever eight legged unholy creatures? Yes. Ok i see how it is but remember our partys name Orkin! And if we make it out alive we are charging you a hazardous fee.

  • @reifuTD
    @reifuTD Год назад

    Wow it would be fun to do a spider campaign where you write the story to make the players run into the next spider on the list until they have to strongest monsters at the top.

  • @HurricaneDDragon
    @HurricaneDDragon Год назад +1

    As a sufferer of arachnophobia, this will be a struggle. 😬🕷️

  • @canceresbunny
    @canceresbunny Год назад

    The stat scores symbols make me think of the tag the Digichosen had in Digimon.

  • @deathhimself4676
    @deathhimself4676 Год назад

    Great video.

  • @jemleye
    @jemleye Год назад

    There's a bit of speculative lore around the Ettercaps that they might be originally druids from long long ago who worshipped spiders and eventually lost any semblance of their original humanity and civilization in their pious worship, becoming lesser monsters. That story alone really bumps Ettercaps into the A-tier for me, just coz of how cool that story has proven to be in practice with my games, especially when dealing with druid players :)