List of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition monsters

This is the Index of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition monsters, an important element of that role-playing game.^[1]^[2]^[3] This list only includes monsters from official Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st Edition supplements published by TSR, Inc. or Wizards of the Coast, not licensed or unlicensed third-party products such as video games or unlicensed Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st Edition manuals.

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[2]

[3]

Creature	Other Appearances	Variants	Description
Aarakocra	MC2 – Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989), Monstrous Manual (1993), Dark Sun Monstrous Compendium Appendix II (1995) (Athasian Aarakocra), Polyhedron #121 (1996) (Malatran Aarakocra), Monsters of Faerûn (2001)		Intelligent winged humanoids with an avian appearance. Their wings are described as being more along the lines of pterodactyls or bats than those found on birds or angels, and they are depicted as possessing two pairs of hands—one pair as part of their wings, while the other pair are hidden behind the talons on their feet. In 2020, Comic Book Resources counted the aarakocra as # 9 on the list of "10 Powerful Monster Species That You Should Play As", stating that "As long as they're not wearing heavy or medium armor you have a flying sniper, essentially."^[104]
Achaierai	MC14 – Monstrous Compendium Fiend Folio Appendix (1992), Planes of Law (1995), Monster Manual (2000), Monster Manual v.3.5 (2003), D&D Miniatures: Aberrations set #26 (2004)		Achaierai are depicted as large flightless birds—reminiscent of the kiwi (albeit considerably larger) —with four legs and a raptor-like beak. CJ Miozzi included the achaierai on The Escapist's list of "The Dumbest Dungeons & Dragons Monsters Ever (And How To Use Them)".^[105]
Adherer	White Dwarf #7 (June/July 1978) (as "Gluey"), MC14 – Monstrous Compendium Fiend Folio Appendix (1992)		While the adherer is described as having a mummy-like appearance, it is not technically undead. Instead it is a humanoid covered with loose folds of white skin that is said to secrete an adhesive substance which causes weapons employed against it to be reduced in effectiveness and to stick to its body.
Aleax	Planescape Campaign Setting (1994), Book of Exalted Deeds (2003)		An aleax in Dungeons & Dragons is an avatar of certain gods sent as vengeance for angering the deity. It is only visible to the victim, and has identical characteristics to the target—the same armour, skills and weapons. If the target is defeated, the Fiend Folio states that the victim will be raised from the dead, minus all their treasure and half of their experience. If the target wins, he or she is taken to serve the deity for a year and a day.
Algoid	MC14 – Monstrous Compendium Fiend Folio Appendix (1992)		A colony of algae that appears in the form of a green humanoid.
Al-mi'raj	MC14 – Monstrous Compendium Fiend Folio Appendix (1992)		The al-mi'raj is depicted as a cross between a rabbit and a unicorn—in effect, it is a large hare with a horn protruding from its forehead. Based on Al-mi'raj "in Islamic poetry, a yellow hare with a single black horn on its head."^[26] Counted among the saddest, lamest creatures in Fiend Folio by artist Sean McCarthy, a hybrid creature with physiology resulting from maladaptation rather than evil.^[106]
Apparition^[107]	D&D Companion Rules (1984) (as "Phantom, Apparition"), Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991) (as "Phantom, Apparition"), Monstrous Compendium Fiend Folio Appendix (1992),^[108] Guide to the Ethereal Plane (1998).^[109]		These are described as being undead creatures that lack the ability to interact with the physical world. Instead they attack by suggestion, fooling victims into believing that they are being strangled, even though the Apparition itself is unable to directly inflict physical damage. The apparition appeared in the Tome of Horrors (2002) from Necromancer Games.^[110]
Assassin bug	White Dwarf #12 (1979), Monstrous Manual (1993)		Assassin bugs are described as four-legged insects that reproduce by implanting eggs into living human hosts.
Astral searcher	Planescape Campaign Setting (1994)		The Fiend Folio describes Astral Searchers as creatures that come into existence as a result of certain intense or traumatic events. They seek to possess their victims, and, if successful, the person cannot be saved—even if the Astral Searcher is removed. They are not considered to be undead.
Babbler	Tome of Horrors (2002)		The babbler is a variation on the lizard man—an intelligent reptile reminiscent of a small dinosaur, that lives in marshes and likes to devour human flesh.
Bat, giant	D&D Basic Set (1981), D&D Basic Set (1983), MC1 – Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991), Monstrous Manual (1993)		The giant bat in the Fiend Folio is exactly what its name would suggest—a giant form of bat with a 6' wingspan. White Dwarf reviewer Jamie Thomson commented on the giant bat, noting that it "seems an obvious choice for D&D.^[111]
Berbalang	White Dwarf #11 (1979), Best of White Dwarf Scenarios (1980), MC3 – Monstrous Compendium Volume Three: Forgotten Realms Appendix (1989), A Guide to the Astral Plane (1996), 4th Edition Monster Manual (2008)		A gargoyle-like creature, the Berbalang is described as a bipedal creature with leathery skin and bat-like wings. It spends most of its life in a state of hibernation while its spirit astral travels. For a few days each month, it sends a projection out into the world to kill and feed.
Blindheim	Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Four (1998), Dragon #339 (2006)		A frog-like creature of low intelligence, the blindheim has eyes that emit beams of light. When attacking a victim in its subterranean realm, it opens its eyes, temporarily blinding the target.
Blood hawk	White Dwarf #2 (1977), Best of White Dwarf Scenarios (1980), Fiend Folio (2003)		The blood hawk is, as the name would suggest, a hawk. It is roughly the same size as a normal hawk, but is described as having a "razor sharp beak" and strong talons, with eagle-like wings.
Bloodworm, giant	White Dwarf #12 (1979), Monstrous Manual (1993)		Giant bloodworms are, according to the Fiend Folio, huge (20' long) worms that live in underground pools. While not described as particularly aggressive, when attacking they attach themselves to their victim and drain their blood in a leech-like manner.
Bonesnapper	White Dwarf #6 (1978), MC5 – Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Appendix (1990)		Small carnivorous dinosaurs (5' in height) that decorate their lairs with human jawbones. In the Fiend Folio, the bonesnapper is depicted as being similar in shape to the carnosauria.
Booka	MC5 – Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Appendix (1990)		Booka are described as being small, good creatures who are similar to traditional depictions of faeries. They often help around houses, but can cause mischief when upset.
Bullywug	MC2 – Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989), The Knight of Newts (1993) (appearing in this Basic D&D module as "Newt"), Monstrous Manual (1993) (including Advanced Bullywug), Living Greyhawk Journal #2 (2000) (Bullywug Savant), Monsters of Faerûn (2001), D&D Miniatures: Deathknell set #48 (2005) (Bullywug Thug)		Bullywugs are described as humanoids with the head of frogs. They are usually shorter than a human, with leathery skin and webbed digits. They are very good jumpers, and can jump roughly 30 feet forward and 15 feet vertically. They inhabit temperate to tropical swamps.
Bunyip	MC3 – Monstrous Compendium Volume Three: Forgotten Realms Appendix (1989), Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Three (1996)		The bunyip is loosely based on the creature from Australian mythology. They live in lakes, marshes and some rivers, and are mostly playful rather than dangerous, but they do occasionally attack smaller creatures such as dwarves.
Carbuncle	White Dwarf #8 (1978), Best of White Dwarf Scenarios (1980), Tome of Horrors (2002)		Carbuncles are described as being small, armadillo-like creatures with a large ruby stuck into its head. They typically infiltrate groups of adventurers and spread dissent through psychic powers.
Caryatid column	WGR1 – Greyhawk Ruins (1990), Monstrous Manual (1993), Fiend Folio (2003)		The Fiend Folio describes the caryatid column as being very similar to a golem. As with other golems, the caryatid column is an artificial construct animated by magic. They appear to players as columns with fine carving suggesting the shape of a woman holding a sword. When activated, (typically by an event trigger), they transform into "young maidens" and do battle, returning to their original position and state once the threat has been dispatched.
Caterwaul	MC14 – Monstrous Compendium Fiend Folio Appendix (1991)		The caterwaul is a bipedal feline, noted for its ability to climb, hide in shadows and to move silently. When attacking, it is said to emit a high pitched screech that will cause damage to anyone nearby.
Cifal	Polyhedron #145 (2000)		Cifals are described as being a large colony of insects which has massed together into a vaguely bipedal form.
Clubnek	Tome of Horrors (2002)		Large flightless birds, described as "mutated ostriches", that attack with their beaks and claws.
Coffer corpse	White Dwarf #8 (1978), MC14 – Monstrous Compendium Fiend Folio Appendix (1992), Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Three (1996)		Undead zombies derived from corpses that have failed to be fully disposed of, such as funeral barges which have become stranded.
Crabman	MC14 – Monstrous Compendium Fiend Folio Appendix (1992), Monstrous Manual (1993), Fiend Folio (2003) (as "Yurian")		The crabman is a large monstrous humanoid. Crabmen are simple hunter-gatherers and generally peaceful. A crabman is usually neutral and generally lives near warm sea coasts.
Crypt thing	MC5 – Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Appendix (1990), Monstrous Manual (1993), Living Greyhawk Journal #5 (2002), Fiend Folio (2003)		Crypt things are depicted as being undead skeletons that wear brown robes, found within their private lairs. When attacked they will attempt to teleport their attackers to a random location.
Dakon	Dragon #187 "The Ecology of the Dakon" (1992), Monstrous Manual (1993), Living Greyhawk Journal #5 (2002)		Dakons are described as shaggy, intelligent apes with a reasonable grasp of language, that live in jungle settings. A dakon is depicted as being light brown in color, with green eyes and black hands.
Dark creeper	MC14 – Monstrous Compendium Fiend Folio Appendix (1992), Fiend Folio (2003), D&D Miniatures: Underdark set #42 (2005)		Dark Creepers are small humanoids (about 4' in height) that are described as preferring to dwell underground due to their hatred of light. They operate like thieves, extinguishing light sources and stealing small magical items. When killed, the Fiend Folio states that they spontaneously burst into flame.
Dark stalker
Death dog			White Dwarf reviewer Jamie Thomson commented on the death dog, which is "rumored to be a descendant of Cerberus".^[111]
Death knight			A "powerful undead warrior",^[112]^: 167 Shannon Applecline considered this creature created by Charles Stross one of the game's especially notable monsters.^[29]^: 38
Demon			Lolth, the Demon Queen of Spiders (a lesser goddess), is described here
Denzelian			White Dwarf reviewer Jamie Thomson commented on Lolth, as a giant spider-creature "which often appears on fantasy literature".^[111]
Devil			The Styx devil, a greater devil, is described here
Devil dog	White Dwarf #11 (Feb/March 1979)
Dire corby			Black avian humanoid species descended from birds, J.R. Zambrano from Bell of Lost Souls compared it to "a really buff Kenku".^[113]
Disenchanter	White Dwarf #6 (April/May 1978)
Doombat	White Dwarf #13 (June/July 1979)
Dragon, Oriental		Li Lung (Earth Dragon), Lung Wang (Sea Dragon), Pan Lung (Coiled Dragon), Shen Lung (Spirit Dragon), T'ien Lung (Celestial Dragon), and Yu Lung (Carp Dragon).	Dragon contributor Alan Zumwait was pleased by the inclusion of the neutral Oriental dragons, but felt that their descriptions were inferior to those of the dragons in the Monster Manual.^[114]
Dragonfish
Dune stalker	White Dwarf #2 (Aug/Sept 1977)
Elemental Princes of Evil		Cryonax (Prince of Evil Cold Creatures), Imix (Prince of Evil Fire Creatures), Ogrémoch (Prince of Evil Earth Creatures), Olhydra (Princess of Evil Water Creatures), and Yan-C-Bin (Prince of Evil Aerial Creatures).	Bosses on their respective planes,^[115] Ed Greenwood considered the Elemental Princes of Evil "worthy additions to any campaign".^[116]
Elf, Drow (dark elf)			Ed Greenwood noted that the previously published drow were "expected attractions, but good to see nonetheless."^[116] Made famous R. A. Salvatore's Drizzt novels, these dark elves from the game influenced subsequent works of fantasy.^[1] Drow have a gender-based caste system that says "a great deal about attitudes towards gender roles in the real world".^[16]^: 34 Bleeding Cool reviewer Gavin Sheehan considered "the schism between drow and other elves" one "of the most contentious relationships in the multiverse" of D&D.^[117] A drider is a "monster that looks like a centaur only with the bottom half of a spider instead of a horse."^[118]
Enveloper
Ettercap
Eye killer	The eye killer first appeared in White Dwarf #7 (June 1978). The eye killer appeared in the original first edition Fiend Folio (1981).^[107] The eye killer appeared in the Tome of Horrors (2002) from Necromancer Games.^[119]		An eye killer is a creature with a bat-like upper torso on the body of a large snake. Its stunted wings cannot support flight. Its upper body is a dark grey-green while the lower part is a medium green flecked with dully yellow. Its eyes are disproportionately large and apparently lidless. An eye killer dwells in dark places underground. An eye killer will attack creatures by crushing them with its coils, but if an approaching party carries lanterns or torches, the eye killer can use its Death Stare once per day. Its eyes gather the illumination falling on them, amplifying it enormously, and project it back at the light-bearer as a powerful, narrow ray of intense light that kills instantly.
Eye of fear and flame
Firedrake
Firenewt
Fire snake
Firetoad
Flail snail	Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Appendix (1990), Dragon #258 (April 1999) in "The Ecologies of the Flail Snail: The Price of Flailure", Tome of Horrors (2002) p. 138 from Necromancer Games, Misfit Monsters Redeemed (2010) p. 28-33 from Paizo Publishing		The flail snail is an enormous gastropod with six tentacles on its head, each tipped with a mace-like club. Shannon Applecline considered the flail snail one of the "silly monsters" of the game.^[29]^: 38 CJ Miozzi included the flail snail on The Escapist's list of "The Dumbest Dungeons & Dragons Monsters Ever (And How To Use Them)".^[105] Paste magazine reviewer Cameron Kunzelmann found the flail snail an inventive and "super weird" monster beyond the game's staples.^[84]
Flind
Flumph			Ranked among the weakest monsters in the game by Scott Baird from Screen Rant: It only attacks with a stinking liquid, and helpless when turned on its back.^[37] Shannon Applecline considered "the much-satirized flumph" one of the silly monsters introduced in Fiend Folio.^[29]^: 38
Forlarren
Frost man			The frost man appeared on Geek.com's list of "The most underrated monsters of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons".^[120]
Galltrit
Gambado
Garbug		Black and Violet
Giant		Fog and Mountain
Giant strider
Gibberling			Humanoid "hairy screaming monsters that attack in large groups and seek to devour everything in their path", "little more than mindless beasts". Screen Rant reviewer Scott Baird ranked them among the weakest monsters in the game, which have a scary description, but lack the stats to back up this impression.^[37]
Githyanki	White Dwarf #12 (April/May 1979)		Xenophobic humanoids^[16]^: 20–21 with gaunt stature, leathery yellow skin and fangs. Inhabitants of the Astral Plane, and ancient enemies of the githzerai, githyanki are considered to "boast some excellent twists" as non-player characters, but "little more than dextrous, not to mention ugly, egg layers" as PCs by reviewer Trenton Webb^[121]^[122]^[123] Introduced by Charles Stross^[31]^[29]^: 38 in White Dwarf No. 12, and officially included in the game in Fiend Folio (1981) and featured on its cover.^[6]^{: 127–129} The name was borrowed the name from a fictional race in George R. R. Martin's Dying of the Light. The githyanki/illithid relationship was inspired by Larry Niven's World of Ptavvs.^[124]^[125] The githyanki were voted among the top ten best monsters from that White Dwarf's "Fiend Factory" column.^[126] Shannon Applecline considered the githyanki one of the game's especially notable monsters.^[29]^: 38 Scott Baird of the website TheGamer commented on the nature of the relationship of the githyanki to the mind flayers, to whom they were formerly enslaved: "Despite their wicked reputation, the Githyanki have an important role to play in protecting the Prime Material Plane. The Githyanki despise Mind Flayers and their armies might be the only thing holding them back. The trailer for Baldur's Gate 3 shows just how scary a single Mind Flayer ship can be, and that could happen a thousand times over if the Githyanki aren't around."^[127]^[123] ComicBook.com contributor Christian Hoffer considered "the conflict between the otherworldly githzerai and githyanki" one "of the great conflicts that make up the D&D multiverse",^[128] and praised the expanded lore presented in Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes as "certainly useful as both inspiration and as research material for building a D&D campaign."^[129]
Githzerai			Designed by Charles Stross,^[31]^[29]^: 38 these humanoids are the ancient and fervent enemies of mind flayers, to whom they were formerly enslaved, and the githyanki; they are based on the plane of Limbo. A playable species in the Planescape campaign setting, reviewer Johnny L. Wilson found them a new take on the niche usually occupied by elves.^[122]^[130]^[123] Shannon Applecline considered the githzerai one of the game's especially notable monsters,^[29]^: 38 while ComicBook.com contributor Christian Hoffer counted "the conflict between the otherworldly githzerai and githyanki" among "the great conflicts that make up the D&D multiverse",^[128] and praised the expanded lore presented in Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes as "certainly useful as both inspiration and as research material for building a D&D campaign."^[129]
Goldbug
Gorbel	Tome of Horrors (2002)^[131] Monstrous Compendium Fiend Folio Appendix 2nd edition (1992).^[132] Monstrous Manual (1993).^[133]		A red globe of translucent, thin rubbery material, with six tiny red eyes on short, retractable eyestalks equally spaced around the top of its spherical body, and two short, clawed legs on its underside. When its hide is pierced or slashed, its balloon-like body bursts, releasing a cloud of pyrophoric gas which explodes. A gorbel can also explode if damaged by magic spells, or if it is within the blast range of another exploding gorbel.^[134]
Gorilla bear	Tome of Horrors (2002)^[135]		A creature with the head, body and legs of a gorilla with the sharp teeth and powerful arms of a bear. A gorilla bear has a grizzly bear's aggressive disposition and a cave bear's carnivorous tendencies.^[136]
Grell	White Dwarf #12 (April/May 1979)		"terrifying beaked, tentacled monsters that populate the realm of Underdark".^[73] Tyler Linn of Cracked.com listed the grell among the "15 Most Idiotic Monsters In Dungeons & Dragons History" and found that it's movement by floating contributed to it looking ridiculous.^[58]
Grimlock
Gryph
Guardian daemon
Guardian familiar	White Dwarf #10 (Dec/Jan 1978/9) (as "Familiar")
Hellcat
Hoar fox
Hook horror	White Dwarf #12 (April/May 1979)		The hook horror is described as an aberration that stands about nine feet tall and weighs almost 350 pounds . It has a mottled grey exoskeleton, which is extremely thick and dense, and as difficult to breach as metal armor. Its front limbs end in 12-inch-long razor-sharp, blade-like hooks. These hooks are its primary method of combat. Its legs are similar to those of a bird, and its head is shaped like that of a vulture, including the hooked beak. Its eyes, however, are multifaceted like that of an insect. The hook horror was first published in White Dwarf #12 (April–May 1979), and was originally submitted by Ian Livingstone.^[125] It was voted among the top ten monsters from the magazine's "Fiend Factory" column and reprinted in Best of White Dwarf Articles (1980).^[126]^[137]^[138] Ed Greenwood, in his review of the Fiend Folio for Dragon magazine, considered the hook horror as one of the creatures with "strange appearances and little else; there is no depth to their listings" and that it was one of the creatures which "seem incomplete".^[139]
Hornet, giant
Hound of ill omen	The hound of ill omen first appeared in the original first edition Fiend Folio (1981).^[107] The hound of ill omen appeared in second edition in Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Three (1996).^[140]		A hound of ill omen is sent by one of the gods as a curse to a misbehaving follower.
Huecuva
Ice lizard	The ice lizard first appeared in the original first edition Fiend Folio (1981).^[107] The ice lizard appeared in the second edition in the Monstrous Compendium Fiend Folio Appendix (1992).^[141] The ice drake appeared under the "drake" heading in the Tome of Horrors (2002) from Necromancer Games.^[142]		An ice lizard is a snow-white lizard which appears similarly to a 3-foot long white dragon in its natural form, and has the ability to change its form into that of a full-sized white dragon.
Imorph	White Dwarf #9 (Oct/Nov 1978)
Iron cobra
Jaculi
Jermlaine	Descent into the Depths of the Earth (1978),^[143] Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989),^[144] Monstrous Manual (1993) under the "gremlin" entry, Dragon #262 (August 1999).,^[145] third edition Monster Manual II (2002)^[146]
Kamadan
Kelpie
Kenku			Crow-like humanoids with a tendency for thievery, loosely based on the Japanese tengu.^[147]^[21]^: 56–58
Khargra			The khargra is a type of extraplanar creature. The khargra first appeared in the original first edition Fiend Folio (1981).^[107]
Killmoulis
Kuo-toa			"evil fish-men"^[8]^: 89 Ed Greenwood noted that the previously published drow and kuo-toa were "expected attractions, but good to see nonetheless."^[116]
Lamia noble
Lava children
Lizard king
Magnesium spirit
Mantari
Meazel
Meenlock
Mephit	White Dwarf #13 (June/July 1979) (as "imp": "fire imp", "molten imp", "smoke imp" and "steam imp")	Fire, lava, smoke, and steam	First published in White Dwarf #13 (June/July 1979) under the names of fire imp, molten imp, smoke imp and steam imp, respectively (not including ice and mist mephits), originally submitted by M. Stollery.^[148] These "imps" were voted among the top ten monsters from the magazine's "Fiend Factory" column in 1980.^[126]
Mezzodaemon
Mite	White Dwarf #6 (April/May 1978)
Necrophidius	White Dwarf #7 (June/July 1978)		Undead consisting of a humanoid skull and giant snake vertebrae, "looks like the skeleton of a Guardian Naga", with venomenous bite and mesmerizing powers; first published in White Dwarf #7 (June/July 1978), submitted by Simon Tilbrook.^[149] In 1980 it was voted the best monster from the magazine's "Fiend Factory" column.^[126]
Needleman	White Dwarf #6 (April/May 1978)		First published in White Dwarf #6 (April 1978), submitted by Trevor Graver.^[150] It was voted among the top ten monsters from the magazine's "Fiend Factory" column and reprinted in Best of White Dwarf Articles (1980).^[126]^[137]^[138]
Nilbog	White Dwarf #6 (April/May 1978)
Nonafel
Norker
Nycadaemon
Ogrillon
Osquip
Penanggalan
Pernicon
Phantom stalker
Poltergeist
Protein polymorph
Quaggoth	The quaggoth first appeared in first edition in the original Fiend Folio (1981).^[107]		The quaggoth is a primitive monstrous humanoid that lives underground, and is frequently enslaved by other more advanced races.
Quipper
Qullan
Retriever
Revenant	The revenant first appeared in first edition in the original Fiend Folio (1981).^[107] It appeared in second edition for the Forgotten Realms setting in the Monstrous Compendium Forgotten Realms Appendix (1989),^[151] and reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).^[152] It appeared in third edition for the Forgotten Realms setting as a template in Monsters of Faerûn (2001),^[153] and in the adventure City of the Spider Queen (2002).^[154] It was added as a fully playable character race for 4th edition in Dragon #376 (2009).^[155]		The revenant is a powerful undead creature that has a strong physical resemblance to a zombie, a far less powerful undead creature.
Rothé
Sandman	White Dwarf #10 (Dec/Jan 1978/9)		The Fiend Folio's illustration of the sandman was used by Richard Garfield in the prototype of the Doppleganger card during the development of his Magic: The Gathering card game.^[6]^: 247
Scarecrow
Screaming devilkin	Tome of Horrors (2002) from Necromancer Games.^[156]		A small creature that resembles a mephit in appearance. It is three feet tall, with a long, muscular barbed tail and leathery wings with a 5-foot span. Its legs and arms are disproportionately small and useless for movement or combat. It always attacks and never willingly breaks off a fight, striking with its cruelly barbed tail, and has a painful howling scream which it uses continuously in the presence of other beings that makes other vocalization inaudible.^[157]
Shadow demon
Sheet ghoul	White Dwarf #11 (Feb/March 1979)
Sheet phantom	White Dwarf #11 (Feb/March 1979)
Shocker
Skeleton warrior			Reviewer Jamie Thomson found the skeleton warriors "beings similar to Tolkien's ringwraiths".^[111]
Skulk
Slaad		blue slaad; death slaad (the Lesser Masters); green slaad; grey slaad (the Executioners); red slaad; Ssendam, Lord of the Insane (slaad lord); and Ygorl, Lord of Entropy (slaad lord).	Ed Greenwood considered the slaad "worthy additions to any campaign".^[116] GameSpy author Allan Rausch described the slaadi as "remorseless reptilian killing machines", but "For many years, slaad were a joke -- because of their artwork", which showed them as "six-foot tall carnivorous frogs". With the Planescape setting they "were reinterpreted artistically to be less frog-like and much more fearsome".^[79] Shannon Applecline considered the githzerai one of the game's especially notable monsters.^[29]^: 38
Snyad
Son of Kyuss
Stunjelly			The Fiend Folio's illustration of the stunjelly was used by Richard Garfield for the prototype of the Animate Wall spell card during the development of his Magic: The Gathering game.^[6]^: 247
Sussurus	White Dwarf #9 (Oct/Nov 1978)
Svirfneblin (deep gnome)
Symbiotic jelly	White Dwarf #8 (Aug/Sept 1978) (as "Chaoticus Symbioticus")
Tabaxi			Described as a "lithe feline" race^[99] and "cat person".^[158] In 2020, Comic Book Resources counted the tabaxi as # 4 on the list of "10 Powerful Monster Species That You Should Play As", stating that "a Tabaxi monk with Boots of Speed and a few other speed buffs can in theory cover anywhere between 320ft per round to 253,440ft per round. Your ability to do this and break the sound barrier in-game entirely depends on how much time and leniency the DM grants you though."^[104] Again referring to the 5th edition presentation, A.V. Club praised the tabaxi as an interesting player character choice, calling that they "view money as a mere tool to be used in finding the real treasure—a good story" a "great character trait,"^[158] while Black Gate reviewer Howard Andrew Jones called them "perennially popular".^[24]
Tentamort
Terithran
Thoqqua (rockworm)
Thork
Throat leech	White Dwarf #6 (April/May 1978)	Appeared in second edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons under the "leech" heading in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989),^[159] and in the Monstrous Manual (1993).^[160]	A throat leech is a small twig-sized creature found in pools, lakes, and streams. If swallowed, it stays in the creature's throat and sucks blood until it becomes fully distended, which causes the victim to choke.
Tiger fly
Tirapheg	White Dwarf #11 (Feb/March 1979) (as "Lauren", "an anagram of 'unreal'")
Trilloch
Troll		giant troll, giant two-headed troll, ice troll, and spirit troll
Tween	White Dwarf #8 (Aug/Sept 1978)
Umpleby	White Dwarf #9 (Oct/Nov 1978)		Trenton Webb, in his review of Monstrous Compendium Annual Two for British RPG magazine Arcane, called the shambling umpleby "without a shadow of a doubt" the star of the book: "Effectively a Bigfoot whose wooly hair generates shocking levels of static electricity, these hulking eccentric simpletons will test any parties patience and ability to save against cuteness." Webb also added that even without the umpleby the book "would be a necessary resource for all mainstream refs. With the shaggy-haired one, though, it rapidly approaches the essential."^[161]
Urchin	White Dwarf #9 (Oct/Nov 1978)	black, green, red, silver, and yellow	First published in White Dwarf #9 (October/November 1978), submitted by Nick Louth.^[162] It was voted among the top ten monsters from the magazine's "Fiend Factory" column and reprinted in Best of White Dwarf Articles (1980).^[126]^[137]^[138] The urchin's illustration from Monster Manual II (1983) was used by Richard Garfield for the "most notorious of the prototype cards", Starburst, during the development of his Magic: The Gathering game.^[6]^: 247
Vision
Vodyanoi
Volt	White Dwarf #7 (June/July 1978)		First published in White Dwarf #7 (June/July 1978), originally submitted by Jonathan Jones.^[149] The volt was voted among the top ten monsters from the magazine's "Fiend Factory" column in 1980.^[126]
Vortex
Whipweed
Witherstench	White Dwarf #11 (Feb/March 1979)
Witherweed	White Dwarf #7 (June/July 1978)
Xill
Xvart	White Dwarf #9 (Oct/Nov 1978) (as "Svart")		First published in White Dwarf #9 (October/November 1978) under the name of "svart", submitted by Cricky Hitchcock and "taken from The Weirdstone of Brisingamon by Alan Garner",^[162] who in turn took inspiration from the Norse myth of the svartálfar.^[139] It was voted among the top ten monsters from the magazine's "Fiend Factory" column and reprinted in Best of White Dwarf Articles (1980).^[126]^[137]^[138] Forgotten Realms author Ed Greenwood considered xvarts to be redundant creatures with no unique or interesting characteristics.^[139]
Yellow musk creeper			Ben Woodard found it an expression of the "seemingly endless morphology of fungal creep and toxicological capacity" within the game.^[97] The Fiend Folio's illustration of the yellow musk creeper was used by Richard Garfield for the prototype of the Regrowth spell card during the development of his Magic: The Gathering game.^[6]^: 247
Zombie, yellow musk

Creature	Other Appearances	Description
Ankhegs	Monster Manual (1977)
Barbed Devil	Monster Manual (1977)
Centaur	Monster Manual (1977)
Constrictor Snake	Monster Manual (1977)
Displacer Beast	Monster Manual (1977)
Frost Giant	Monster Manual (1977)
Ghoul	Monster Manual (1977)
Giant Weasel	Monster Manual (1977)
Grippli	Monster Manual II (1983)	"humanoid tree-frogs" forming "a society of "uncommonly intelligent" humanoid amphibians who were quick to adapt and acquire new skills"; J.R. Zambrano thought of them as a good choice to create a player character race.^[163]
Kobold	Monster Manual (1977)
Lizard Man	Monster Manual (1977)	A player character race in some settings.^[164]^[165] Reviewer Chris Gigoux described them by saying "Lizard Men aren't bad, [...] they're just a simple folks, struggling to survive."^[166] In 2020, Comic Book Resources counted the lizardfolk as # 1 on the list of "10 Powerful Monster Species That You Should Play As", stating that "Along with the ability to manufacture their own weapons from the natural environment around them, they provide an excellent role-playing experience and have some pretty awesome tricks up their sleeve."^[104] An image of a lizard man by Greg Bell functioned as the logo in the early phase of TSR Hobbies,^[6]^{: 42–43, 47, 81} while "the bloodied bodies of lizard men" overcome by a group of adventurers featured on the cover of the 1st edition Player's Handbook, considered "arguably the most iconic piece of art in all of RPGdom" by Reactor magazine commentator Saladin Ahmed.^[167]
Mihstu	Monster Manual II (1983)
Neo-Otyugh	Monster Manual (1977)
Red Dragon	Dungeons & Dragons set (1974), D&D Basic Set (1977, 1981, 1983), Monster Manual (1977), D&D Companion Rules (1984), Dragon #134 "The Ecology of the Red Dragon" (1988), Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991), Monstrous Manual (1993), Monster Manual (2000), Monster Manual v.3.5 (2003), D&D Miniatures: Dragoneye set #55 (2004), D&D Miniatures: Giants of Legend set #71 (2004), D&D Icons: Colossal Red Dragon (2006)
Sahuagin	Monster Manual (1977)
Salamander	Monster Manual (1977)
Treant	Monster Manual (1977)
Triceratops	Monster Manual (1977)
Werewolf	Monster Manual (1977)
Zorbo	Monster Manual II (1983)

Creature	Other Appearances	Description
Galeb Duhr	Monster Manual II (1983)
Gelatinous Cube	Monster Manual (1977)	"D&D's large variety of monstrous oozes and slimes took their original inspiration from Irvin S. Yeathworth Jr's The Blob" movie. In the artificial dungeon environment of the game, they function as a "clean up crew". The gelatinous cube, "a living mound of gelatinous jelly",^[22]^: 138 was considered especially suited for that role, as it fit exactly in the standard grid for tactical combat. Considered an "iconic monster".^[1]
Giant Scorpion	Monster Manual (1977)
Goblin	Monster Manual (1977)
Gold Dragon	Monster Manual (1977)
Hill Dwarf	Monster Manual (1977)
Hill Giant	Monster Manual (1977)
Hippogriff	Monster Manual (1977)
Ixitxachitl	Monster Manual (1977)
Land Urchin	Monster Manual II (1983)
Roper	Monster Manual (1977)
Sabertooth Tiger	Monster Manual (1977)
Satyr	Monster Manual (1977)
Spectre	Monster Manual (1977)
Stone Golem	Monster Manual (1977)
Thri-kreen	Monster Manual II (1983)	Anthropomorphic preying mantis
Troglodyte	Monster Manual (1977)	Based on the stock character of the primitive caveman, Gary Gygax portrayed the troglodyte in the game as more monstrous, with chaotic and evil behaviour, offensive smell and lizard-like characteristics.^[168] The troglodyte was among the monsters featured as trading cards on the back of Amurol Products candy figure boxes.^[6]^{: 161, 163}
Type V Demon	Monster Manual (1977)
Tyrannosaurus Rex	Monster Manual (1977)
Umber Hulk	Monster Manual (1977)	Subterranean predators with iron-like claws that enable them to burrow through solid stone, and their eyes cause a dangerous confusion in opponents. Present in the game since the earliest edition,^[6]^: 45 and considered "a classic D&D monsters" by academics Greg Gillespie and Darren Crouse.^[54]

Creature	Other Appearances	Description
Androsphinx	Monster Manual (1977)
Blink Dog	Monster Manual (1977)
Carnivorous Ape	Monster Manual (1977)
Carrion Crawler	Monster Manual (1977)	A worm-like cephalopod that scavenges subterranean areas, feeding primarily upon carrion, whose tentacles paralyze creatures. The carrion crawler was included in the short list of monsters which were included in the core product identity and not protected from use by other companies in the System Reference Document.^[54]
Efreeti	Monster Manual (1977)
Ettin	Monster Manual (1977)
Giant Slug	Monster Manual (1977)
Gnoll	Monster Manual (1977)
Grey Elf	Monster Manual (1977)
Jaguar	Monster Manual (1977)
Locathah	Monster Manual (1977)
Mummy	Monster Manual (1977)	Based on the creature from Gothic fiction and appearances in more contemporary entertainment, a typical denizen of the Ravenloft setting.^[28]^[101] In his review of the Monster Manual in the British magazine White Dwarf #8 (August/September 1978), Don Turnbull noted that the mummy was revised from its previous statistics, and could now cause paralysis on sight (as a result of fear).^[36]
Nycadaemon	Fiend Folio (1981)
Peryton	Monster Manual (1977)
Sea Wolf	Monster Manual II (1983)
Silver Dragon	Monster Manual (1977)
Sylph	Monster Manual (1977)
Tunnel Worm	Monster Manual II (1983)
Wemic	Monster Manual II (1983)	A lion-centaur
Will O'wisp	Monster Manual (1977)

Creature	Other Appearances	Description
Axe Beak	Monster Manual (1977)
Black Dragon	Monster Manual (1977)
Bombardier Beetle	Monster Manual (1977)
Bugbear	Monster Manual (1977)
Dire wolf	Monster Manual (1977)
Gorgon	Monster Manual (1977)	"iron plated bull", based on early modern bestiaries, with only the name being derived from the Classical counterpart.^[25]^[26]
Halfling	Monster Manual (1977)
Hippocampus	Monster Manual (1977)
Hybsil	Monster Manual II (1983)	A stag-centaur
Korred	Monster Manual II (1983)
Leucrotta	Monster Manual (1977)
Merman	Monster Manual (1977)
Obliviax	Monster Manual II (1983)
Rust Monster	Monster Manual (1977)
Stone Giant	Monster Manual (1977)
Succubus	Monster Manual (1977)
Su-monster	Monster Manual (1977)
Vampire	Monster Manual (1977)
Weretiger	Monster Manual (1977)
Wind Walker	Monster Manual (1977)

List of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition monsters

Monsters in the 1st edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons

TSR 2009 – Monster Manual (1977)

TSR 2012 – Fiend Folio (1981)

Monster Cards (1982)

TSR8009 - Set 1

TSR8010 - Set 2

TSR8011 - Set 3

TSR8012 - Set 4

TSR 2016 – Monster Manual II (1983)

Other sources

TSR 2021 – Dragonlance Adventures (1987)

TSR 2023 – Greyhawk Adventures (1988)

Dragon magazine

See also

References

Wikiwand - on

Creature	Other Appearances	Variants	Description
Aboleth			Ancient and powerful aquatic beings, aboleth in the game use their telepathic powers to influence and enslave mortals from behind the scenes in their bid to restore the position of dominance they lost through the rise of the gods themselves. SyFy Wire contributor Lisa Granshaw included them in her 2018 list of "The 9 Scariest, Most Unforgettable Monsters From Dungeons & Dragons" due to their impressive abilities and vengefulness.^[169]
*Afanc (/ˈeɪfæŋk/ AY-fank)^[170]*	afanc (gawwar samakat): City of Delights boxed set (1993); afanc and young afanc: Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume One (1994)^[171]		The afanc appeared in Tome of Horrors 3 in 2005, by Necromancer Games.^[172] The entry was updated for the Pathfinder game rules and appeared in The Tome of Horrors Complete in 2011, by Frog God Games.^[173]
Agathion
Annis
Ant lion	Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989),^[174] Monstrous Manual (1993),^[175] Sandstorm: Mastering the Perils of Fire and Sand (2005)^[176]		An ant lion is a huge insect that preys on other giant insects. Ant lions dig tapering pits in areas of sand and gravel, which can like cave or lair entrances; creatures entering these traps slip down the loose sides to land at the bottom, where the ant lion lurks.^[177] A line of lead miniatures from TSR included a set of a piscodaemon and an ant lion.^[178] The giant ant lion appeared in the Kingdoms of Kalamar books Forging Darkness (2001), and Midnight's Terror (2001), in the Tome of Horrors (2002) from Necromancer Games,^[179] and in Paizo Publishing's book Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary 3 (2011), on page 17.^[180]
Ascomoid
Aspis	Slave Pits of the Undercity (1981), Greyhawk Monstrous Compendium Appendix (1990),^[181] Dragon #260 (June 1999).^[182]	Drone, Larva, and Cow
Atomie
Aurumvorax			Rob Bricken of io9 identified the aurumvorax as one of "The 12 Most Obnoxious Dungeons & Dragons Monsters", being "a particularly terrifying monster in that it eats that gold the players have so carefully accrued".^[34]
Azer
Baku
Banderlog			The Banderlog is a monstrous humanoid
Barghest
Barkburr		Direburr	Barkburrs are spontaneously occurring animated plants that emerge within forests to serve as natural defenders. Their anatomy resembles that of limpets, featuring a tough, woody outer shell that provides strong protection, while concealing a much softer interior beneath.
Basidirond
Basilisk, greater			Based on the creature from medieval bestiaries.^[1] In the original Monster Manual it is described as a reptilian monster whose gaze can turn creatures to stone.^[183]
Bat		Ordinary and Mobat
Bat, fire
Bear, northern (polar bear)
Bee, giant		worker honeybee, soldier honeybee, and bumblebee
Beetle, giant		death watch beetle and slicer beetle
Behemoth
Behir
Bloodthorn
Boalisk
Bodak
Boggart
Boggle
Boobrie
Bookworm
Bowler
Buckawn
Cat		Domestic and Wild
Cat lord
Catfish, giant
Cave cricket
Cave fisher
Cave moray			Dangerous cave-dwelling slug-like creatures hiding in groups at rock surfaces.^[54]
Centipede		Huge and megalocentipede
Cheetah

Creature	Other Appearances	Variants	Description
Beastman
Cactus, Vampire
Camprat
Changecat
Crystalmist
Dragon, Greyhawk
Grung			"selfish, simple-minded frog people"^[227] based on poisonous frogs^[241]
Ingundi
Nimbus
Sprite, Sea
"Swordwraith" (Stark Mounds Undead Spirit)
Wolf, Mist
Zombie, Sea ("Drowned Ones")

Monsters in the 1st edition of Advanced Dungeons &amp; Dragons