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The Witcher Monsters That Fit Best Into Dungeons and Dragons Campaigns

Dungeons and Dragons is ripe with monsters to battle and sentient creatures to meet, but it can be difficult to pin down the best fits for a single campaign. Those that have worked their way through the Monster Manual may be looking for something new to introduce to a campaign.

Luckily, there’s a robust library of fantasy to pull from out there, which can help inspire Dungeon Masters in creative new ways. Those looking for cool new monsters to have their players fight need look no further than The Witcher 3, perhaps the quintessential fantasy RPG of the last seven years or so. With proper care and a little bit of time invested, players can homebrew a number of creatures from The Witcher universe into their Dungeons and Dragons campaign, giving their players a new challenge to overcome.

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Kikimore

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The Kikimore definitely aren’t going to work as an overarching villain for a Dungeons and Dragons campaign – at least probably not out of the box – but they still have an interesting place for Dungeon Masters looking for something new to shake things up. Giant insectoid creatures, they’ve appeared in both The Witcher games and The Witcher Netflix series, even being the first monster that fans see in the latter.

The Kikimore inhabit swamps and live underground, making them a particularly dangerous foe due to how difficult swamps can be to traverse. That’s something that Dungeon Masters can use to their advantage, though. For instance, players could be attempting to complete a trial in the swamplands, forcing them to use their brains and brawn to make it out alive, all the while being hunted by enemies far more dangerous than they are.

Crones

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Those that played through The Witcher 3 will likely be familiar with the Crones of Crookback Bog, as they’re an essential part of one of the game’s longest and most interesting questlines. While they have a few parallels with Dungeons and Dragons’ Night hags, the crones are far more grotesque than what players would normally find in a campaign.

Crones are a great option for a longer-running campaign, one that incorporates the “deep woods” aspect that makes creepy campaigns so effective. Plus, there’s something inherently terrifying about Crones stealing children away for nefarious purposes, which will add a little bit of tension for “good” parties. Crones are ripe with potential for corruption, deception, and just about any other evil mannerism that the DM may feel suits them.

Doppler

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The Doppler, fundamentally, has a lot in common with the Doppelganger from the Monster Manual. However, there are a few unique elements to them that make them a more compelling creature to face off against, which can add some much-needed spice for campaigns where a Doppelganger may have already been encountered.

In The Witcher universe, Dopplers are hunted down, though they aren’t an inherently aggressive species. Time has tempered their ferocity, which aligns closely with their true forms. Those true forms are usually twisted and disfigured, which can motivate them to seek out a different appearance in the first place. What’s special about them is that the transformation is total, so even a Witcher medallion – or the Dungeons and Dragons equivalent to that – is ineffective at finding them. With that in mind, it provides the opportunity for a battle of wits against a Doppler.

Ekhidna

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There’s not a ton to say about the Ekhidna except for the fact that they’re a dangerous foe, and for some parties that will be enough. The Ekhidna is essentially a higher form of a Siren, one with a more aggressive appearance and a bigger bloodlust. They tend to dwell near bodies of water and can give an experienced party of adventurers a run for their money when push comes to shove.

And despite the fact that they’re fairly simple as far as enemies go, there are still plenty of interesting ways to incorporate them into a campaign, especially for those that are spending time near water. Perhaps fishermen spot them and confuse them for mermaids, a bloody mistake that can cost them their life. Or, maybe, they’re disrupting trade routes in a port, leading to hardship inside of a city’s walls.

Sylvan

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Last, but certainly not least, the Sylvan are one of the most interesting aspects of The Witcher universe. To many, they’re believed to be devils, but there’s a lot of depth to them that makes them unique. Sylvan can live upwards of 100 years, have a goatlike appearance, and are surprisingly good in a fight. While humanity typically views them as adversarial, it’s a great opportunity for a campaign-long struggle between the party and the Sylvan.

On the other hand, it’s also possible to go the opposite direction and have the players work to get the other races to accept them into the fold. For Dungeon Masters willing to put in the work, it could even be interesting to homebrew a playable race. It would open up opportunities for players to roleplay, and roleplaying well is a fundamental aspect of making a great Dungeons and Dragons campaign.

There are always new and exciting ways to shake up a Dungeons and Dragons campaign, and looking to franchises like The Witcher is just one way to start. Homebrewing is an essential aspect to performing well as a Dungeon Master, so integrating these sorts of monsters – or coming up with entirely new ones – is the best possible way to keep the campaign flowing and players inspired.

MORE: 10 Things You Need To Know Before Starting Your First Dungeons & Dragons Game

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