D&D MONSTER RANKINGS - CHALLENGE RATING 5

There are lots of iconic D&D monsters at CR 5 (and plenty of obscure ones too). They run the gamut from simple to complex, lackluster to stellar. In this ranking, I cover a bunch of challenge rating 5 creatures for 5e.
-Monstrous Heroes-
monstrous-heroes-5e-monster-c...
-Links-
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Check out my 5e book and modules: esperthebard.com/shop
-Social-
Discord: / discord
Facebook: / esper-the-bard-6459470...
-Chapters-
0:00 5th level and CR 5 Monsters
3:31 F Tier
4:13 D Tier
10:28 C Tier
22:25 B Tier
31:48 A Tier
41:31 S Tier
43:57 Memories to Last a Lifetime
#dungeonsanddragons #dndmonster #dnd5e

[@genghiskhan6809]

The existence of the bulette implies the existence of a much larger and meaner bulé.

[@esperthebard]

Oh it's down there lurking around somewhere ...

[@aa-yt7wo]

There was a Buell, they made motorcycles

[@TwoKnowingRavens]

In my campaign world there are titans/Kaiju type monsters and the Bulegron is one of them. Most are locked away/not active. Bullettes are the spawn/worker ants of this Bulegron. Which is like an 80ft long 20ft tall Bullette with insane resistances and a pheromone based emotional attacks that confuse and cause hallucinations. (Based on the idea of it being something like a Queen bee/termite)

[@Titan360]

Don't say its name! It can hear you through the layers and layers of earth between the surface and its subterrainian- *RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE* It's coming! Everybody take to the skies! *jumps on hastily constructed rube goldberg helicopter-bicycle and pedals for dear life, disappearing above the cloud cover, leaving you behind to die*

[@1998topornik]

Most likely

[@ninjabreadman22]

Love seeing the Night Hag get the praise she deserves. They have a rich lore and fit perfectly into narratives about enduring and overcoming weaknesses of character. A hag can really invoke some deep emotions such as primal fear, rage, and anxiety within players. The ability to present a challenge that threatens the NPCs characters care about that can't be easily dealt with via combat is so compelling.

[@RustyKeys72]

So glad to be lookin' at ya, Esper. Great video! All the best from down under. Just for the record, I've always found you welcoming. Cheers.

[@esperthebard]

Glad to hear that!

[@thewashwizardrestorationmagic]

As someone who has loved your channel for 6+ years, I really appreciate your attitude about making small adjustments to improve your videos! No criticism or suggestions from me, I love what you do brother. Your content improves my life and mental health in a very real way. Keep it up!

[@esperthebard]

That's great to hear, take good care!

[@florianw.9545]

The power of positivity is inherent in your new style!

[@joze838]

I indeed like your new way to talk.

[@RachDarastric2]

I like the idea of how what you said in the beginning can imply that there are some areas on the map that you can't even begin to hope you will survive until you level up your units to a 1970s era of military technology for non casters alone.

[@hamstsorkxxor]

You should totally do this type of video for bunch of different challenge ratings! CR5 is a good representation of tier 2 monsters, so at the very least I would love to see a similar video of a CR from each tier. Maybe CR3, CR11 and CR17?

[@coda821]

Dude, your delivery is always top notch. It's your best aspect. If you obsess on in U might damage it. Seriously, your in a class of your own. Head above the rest when it comes to speaking ability. Don't worry about it.

[@esperthebard]

Thanks for the reassuring words. It's a fine line between working to improve and obsessing too much.

[@coda821]

@@esperthebard True. You're top quality tho. If you want more reach, perhaps more contacts & connections. There's got to be ppl who would be glad to work with you. Honestly if I could tap into your knowledge I'd be interested in tactics & phases of combat. It would be tricky to share that without giving out too much too players, of course. Phases & tactics of stories, plots, & villainous machinations would be incredible too. So many ideas get hinted at when U do your lore. Good luck with your work, but I must honestly say you've already reached peak quality. I've consumed hours of your work, & don't tire of it. Good luck.

[@BlikeNave]

42:30 I so badly wish for a DnD game where you get to play as the monsters. Imagine playing as a hag and you have to lure and deceive you victims, and establish your base and repel Good type characters who want to clear you out. Or you could be a mind flayer and take over the townsfolk and try to establish your lair, getting stronger creatures and beholders and stuff to defend your lair. Vampires and expanding their influence and members without arousing too much suspicion... or even a dragon increasing its hoard and making deals with evil creatures to defend its lair. I think it'd be so fun and a cool twist on the adventurer narrative that we're all used to.

[@esperthebard]

I know exactly what you mean! Have you checked out Monstrous Heroes that I linked in the description? It's going to be released soon, and the 5e community is going to have a freakin horde of monstrous race-classes to play.

[@SkyDragon90]

Really like the personal pieces to camera in this vid. Feels like you're actually welcoming us viewers into your Emporium.

[@OMEGAJOENOVA]

In this video you are more entertaining and energetic than your live stream. You are much easier to hear which is great for me because I work outside and that's when I listen to most videos.

[@Spud36]

I’ve been loving your content and have been using your advice and input to help my own games for a few years now. Thanks Esper! :)

[@esperthebard]

Thank you too Potato Dude!

[@chompydood]

NOOOO!!!! NOT MY BOY THE BULLETE!!!! he my favorite monster to run, i just love them so much.

[@Lightzy1]

The hebrews speak hebrew, the arabs speak arabic, the english speak english. Checks out.

[@JeremyNoblitt]

I, as many many other 80s kids, had that same pack of cheap Chinese toys the Bulette and Rust monster were based on..Bulette was shaped like a bullet and Gygax jokingly pronounced it in the french accent. There's a video on KZbin where he explains it. Been playing d&d since the 80s and now I'm making my own game. Great times.

[@redcapetimetraveler7688]

Heyyo Esper and DnD lovers, i got striken by the lightning of inspiration one more time listening to your video... when you talk about the Allip this tortured spirit... you used the word "anguish" (what a scary word!) in my bad behaviour of foreigner i mispelled it "Hang-Wish" ohhhhhhhhhhhh ... what about a ghost ambushing adventurers from the ceilings of grim dark caves or crypts with a rope and psychic terror skills... the victime would have to succeed in wisdom or charisma saving throws to fight back the confusion and focus on breaking free from the tight noose strangling it steadily that the ghost is pulling up laughing sarcasticly... this encounter would hang on a cliffhanger and the tension would be .... breath taking 🤪😧😧😧😧😧

[@chefkochjay]

Kudos on that referral to Esper's Emporium. I would actually live if you made that a standard in your videos - casually dropping an Esper-made monster in these ranking videos. It increases your products' visibility and it is interesting for those who already own them

[@JSGINIOWA]

Love the monster rankings! Prost from Florida good sir!

[@ieatcalamari4595]

Esper, the best of bards, your tone is amazing for all your videos as it stands. I never got to have the D&D experience growing up, just because I didn't have a friend group who would do it, so I was always jealous of those who did. Baldur's Gate 3 thankfully scratched that long harvested itch, and immediately after; I found your videos. I absolutely LOVE your ranking videos. Thank you so much for taking the time to make them for us. Keep it up if possible!

[@skeleton-key]

Talking about French, Tarrasque is a monster from French mythology and there’s actually festivities around it every year in south of France, where they parade one in the town etc.

[@intuitivealchemist]

I like your old style but new as well. I also appreciate you sharing how you use these monsters in encounters when you make these tier videos.

[@mitchryan257]

Another great video, Esper. Thank you.

[@jarbies004]

Im glad you still have ways to make tier list videos and still make them interesting, ive heen watching you since 2018 and i didnt expect the tier list tyoe videos to last very long

[@BDTMack]

Awesome video, Esper! I really enjoyed the style of presents in this one! Your passion for these monsters and the stories they can tell really shines through!

[@viniciusklaussnerfonsecaco1952]

great video, loved it

[@undulatingmistwraith3616]

I've never found your takes offensive, so I doubly appreciate holding yourself to an even higher standard. Making criticisms while being entertaining is a delicate balance, one which you achieve. Very clear you care about the game, your content, and your impact. Love the direction you're taking!

[@AgentJohn2]

Love the new style! It looks like you talk with your hands a lot, so it might be worth trying to get them in frame more. Also, giving yourself something to look at occasionally (maybe the book the monster is from as a prop or a mini of the monster if you have one?) might be nice since the unwavering eye contact, while impressive, is just a tad intimidating lol. Thanks again for the video, it has been a good inspiration as always!

[@samwhary5498]

I think the defining traits of a cambion are it's direct fiendish heritage and it's unique innate abilities. I made a cambion recently as an NPC. I'll gladly rant if you're interested. Edit: as the list goes on so many beautiful memories come to mind. Thank you for this list Esper. It's causing my nostalgia to kick into overdrive. :)

[@devinpepls]

Esper your new videos are Fantastic !!!! GG sir , keep it up

[@chefkochjay]

Loved it, as always

[@seanrosetta3079]

I always understood the language names to be placeholders to be customized for settings. The same goes for common, thieves' cant, druidic, etc.

[@chrisg8989]

Yes! More tier lists!

[@jrmoneyloser]

Nice work. 👍

[@RokuroCarisu]

"Baguette, Jeanette, Claudette, une Cigarette, et moi, oh la la la la la!" - Black Fööss

[@jakewarman7277]

I like the new vibes in the video. I once ran an alip as a boss monster with legendary actions and I had it attached to a ritual to summon it. There were three cultists and three legendary actions. They figured out pretty quick to take out the cultist first.

[@Gashren]

What's sad about the 5e Challenge Rating system is that for most of those creatures it assumes players used core rules only for their characers. I put a Barlgura plus a mob of lesser demons (dretches and manes mostly) in something that should effortlessly kill the party in an open combat (the intent was they will run away to better position where they can utilize narrow space to cancel the numbers advantage, which was but a short run back), but they took them all out in three to four rounds in an open field, with nary a scratch... Something that, by the book, should be almost 2x deadly encounter (they were level 4 at the time, if I recall correctly). This made them too cocky, and when they encountered the boss (shadow demon and two shadows, which I added specifically to make the battle last a bit longer than two rounds, given the Barlgura encounter I had every reason to assume that a less numerous encounter will be stomped) they just assumed they win that battle too (despite the magical darkness present, which gave the enemies a huge advantage), and they barely survived. That was the adventure I learned you cannot trust the Challenge Rating in this game :)

[@AkodoKusamoto]

Yes. This exactly. CR doesn't take environment, conditions, player experience, minmax builds, broken fests or abilities, unique gear, etc. etc. into account. It's just an analytics calculation; and while that worked great for the Oakland A's, it was very hit or miss for anyone else (ok, except Miami, who made it their religion and it worked).

[@jamesknapp64]

5th Level feels so much more better than anything before it. 3rd level spells or Extra Attack are such big upgrades.

[@Master_E444]

I believe an in universe reason as to why these languages are named for the species who speaks them is due to them usually not being willing to have enough of a civil discussion to actually tell you the name of their language. Some many not even have proper names within their own languages or ones that can't be communicated verbally as at least in a couple cases, they use non verbal communication like Umber Hulks using scent or other cases using body language

[@nyar9556]

Also in french bulette the bu- makes a different sound from the bu-sh sound, it have to spelt boulet like poulet (chicken) to sound like that, which may have been what was intended perhaps

[@Altheniar]

During a fight with a night hag a bard used his inspiration on my glory paladin before got dwoned by the hag. The hag was far away and my paladin and got one las shot, so I burned my channel divinity and cast guiding bolt, I hit and after de damage stoped the DM before he sayed anything, I added the inspiration dice to the dmg and kill the hag whit the power of friendship. Now both chapracters are best friends.

[@Spiceodog]

I love these crs because they’re applicable at most levels

[@dave-bulletrider]

Uuuuuuh! Challenge Rating Time! I love those so much! Thanks a lot, Esper! edit: Oh, btw - where can I find the outro music? Fantastic!

[@esperthebard]

Thank you! The outro music is Silent Partner - Sad Past

[@sko_psy]

Great video, as always. Sorry for lack of critics, but it's a cool video. Thanks 👍🏼

[@azzaelulbrinter]

I wasnt' expecting a small french lesson on my dnd video... but i found it oddly satisfying

[@goblinultra3307]

I see esper, I watch.

[@alexmol6268]

Last session I ran an altered Umbra Hulk against my party of 5 level 3s. They won with only one dead

[@sko_psy]

BTW, noticed this video only due to shorts! Could miss it for some time if not for them. Great thing - shorts of your videos 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@esperthebard]

Oh I'm glad that worked out 👍

[@callumarmitage4828]

Awesome video man! The more approachable method works a treat. I hope this translates to more views and better circulation on the algorithm!

[@ananslator3655]

34:41 you should do a yuan-ti ranking video

[@OMentertainment]

"I know that you can be overwhelmed, and you can be underwhelmed, but can you just be whelmed?" Me: I think you can in D&D (Points if you get the reference)

[@esperthebard]

Water elemental Overwhelm: Hits you so much you are left helpless. Whelm: Hits you so much. Underwhelm: Doesn't hit you much at all.

[@miguelmialichi6367]

Everybody gangsta till the bbeg gets a gun that shoots bulette

[@DrVikingrMD]

Voice sounds great!

[@Darby-qu6hz]

To relax, you're gonna put me to sleep.

[@MoonGoblin]

thats interesting gorgons are also scaled bulls in Heroes of Might and Magic

[@nettlesandsnakes9138]

Maybe one day you’ll finally do the beasts tier list. It will probably be a while because most beasts are just animals and have simple mechanics and no role-playing hooks. I would like to see a dog though.

[@esperthebard]

I've thought about a beasts tier list. They are much simpler creatures, so they would struggle to have high tier entries. It might be worth it though. Let's see.

[@nettlesandsnakes9138]

@@esperthebard I think the highest tier animal I can think of is an octopus. It’s more mechanically more interesting than most creatures of that creature type, It’s somewhat social and anywhere where is water There is a fantasy octopus.

[@davidm6387]

Good video. WotC probably doesn't have the legal right to use the Bulette.

[@MegaPokefan97]

The Oblex reminds me of the Master from Fallout

[@LordDany]

yeah objective chalenge levels independant of what the party level is yes yes yes beware though to have the group be able to know somehow where are they getting themselvs in cause the agency for fleeing or not going there is important

[@AGS363]

About the languages: English speak... english French speak...french Japanese speak... japanese Languages with special names happen bur are not the default. (And while you can say that the Romans spoke Latin, you also have to accept that the Latins spoke...)

[@esperthebard]

You could just as easily say Indians speak Hindi and Tamil, Afghans speak Dari and Pashto, and Chinese speak Mandarin and Cantonese. Japanese actually speak Nihongo. Though this actually reinforces my criticism. Humans don't speak Human, we speak our various ethnic or cultural languages.

[@k90001234]

@@esperthebard I think it works from the perspective of civilised races in a fantasy world analysing these monstrous civilisations. Like the humans/dwarfs/elves etc will just say that an umberhulk can communicate in "umberhulk" because it's never been considered to learn, study and integrate into a wider, shared culture, the creature simply doesn't warrant it. Sure, if you wanted to get in depth and managed to speak to a Sahuagin that speaks another language maybe they would be able to elaborate on what they call their own language(s), but then the DM can take that under their own creative control. I see the languages as the way they are interpreted by common society.

[@michaelmurphy19]

What would you do to improve upon the tlincalli?

[@rezonpokemon3854]

On the crystal dragon being Chaotic neutral not fitting its friendly demeanor. Keep in mind chaotic neutral are not just exclusive to scoundrels beserkers. You can be a fun individual with some dark undertones. And it dosen't mean your moral compass is gone completely. It can be a spectrum. Look at the two main characters from the movie the Road to El Dorado. They are tricksters and con artists. But they mostly con sketchy sailors in gambling games in alley ways, not really conning a kid of their food money for the month. And when on the city of gold, they are very much against anything that could lead to straight up cruelty and murder. Those two are good example of good leaning chaotic neutral characters. Still selfish, but are disgusted if actual inhuman cruelty is done to innocent people (like potential slavery). While also enyoing peoples good company and fun (mostly the blonde dude on that lady one, man's basically a bard)

[@reimardahlstrom4765]

I once again request an abominations ranking. They are an often overlooked creature type, so overlooked 5e doesnt even have them.

[@esperthebard]

Hmmm I vaguely remember abominations from 3e and 4e. If I recall they were fairly different those two editions. Might be a good video topic.

[@LuxuriaU]

I've always found you to be an opinionated guy, but so am I. I don't think that's a bad thing, even if I don't always agree with said opinions. Like your owlbear disdain. But then I agree with others. Like how Strixhaven is a very difficult theme to get into from a sword and sorcery standpoint. I personally hate it and all the cutesy (I like my cute in small bites) stuff, though I can appreciate that others like that kinda of setting. Don't change, have opinions. But if it makes more sense for you to cite "OPINION" heavily for the sake of your channel, go for it. But don't stop being you in the process!

[@esperthebard]

Much appreciation!

[@brettonalwood4173]

Where would you track the Kruthik Hive Lord? It's a cr 5 monster but I didn't see it in your video despite the mention in your community post.

[@esperthebard]

-Kruthik Hive Lord- High D Tier Mechanics 3/5 Style 3/5 Roleplaying 2/5 Lore 2/5 Versatility 2/5 Pretty cool beastie. I'd like to create a dungeon that kruthiks made with their tunneling. It looks a bit more like a sci-fi creature than fantasy.

[@purplehaze2358]

What was the name of the track that played at the start of the video? Because it went kinda hard and I wanna listen to it on its own.

[@esperthebard]

Quincas Moreira - Chtulthu

[@purplehaze2358]

@@esperthebard Thank you. (:

[@davidburnett5049]

Karnaths king was one of the cooler parts of Eberron.

[@MrNomis1999]

I fall asleep to these videos, so the calm sound is way better. I would personally prefer if you cut out the intro music as well as any other loud music

[@HenriFaust]

I thought succubi produced Alu-fiends? Wizards of the Coast even published an entire novel series, _The Empyrean Odyssey,_ starring an Alu-fiend named Aliiza. Are we just going to pretend all of that doesn't exist now? Yeesh.

[@RokuroCarisu]

They are technically the same. Males are called Cambion and females Alu-fiends.

[@OMentertainment]

Bro brought out the French phlem

[@yossiharr]

i guess allips created by Suicide got to harsh for the nannys

[@theblueflame2221]

Just out of curiosity, think you'll do a 6 levels of Good video? I think that's still interesting as compared to the 6 levels of evil video you made. Cheers

[@esperthebard]

Good question. It's something I was looking into back when I made the video about the six levels of evil. I might still. One thing that's interesting is that good and evil are not symmetrical. They sort of are in things like D&D and Star Wars, but in reality, good is greater and larger, as evil cannot exist by itself, but rather as a parasite on that which is good.

[@theblueflame2221]

@@esperthebard Interesting indeed! To capture the essence of being good however is something that I simply don't see anywhere. I think you're the guy who can do it if you want to naturally. The best we get is this boring unrealistic stereotype of the foolish do gooder who has a heart of gold and everything is great all the time forever where he goes. But never a tale about how hard it really is to be a good person in a world full of... neutrals for example. How taxing it can be to break free from the mold and decide you break through.. generational trauma or fight off the bad guy putting a target on yourself among the herd who cower. Or the swindlers who'll come in droves to take advantage of the do gooder's generosity etc. The hard moral choices of taking or sparing a life and to combat cruelty. Get people motivated to better themselves. Good being the hard path. Anyways, I digress. I would surely enjoy such a video, but either or. Doing great work man!

[@Skyharpy123]

Do all these exist in your West March World?

[@ananslator3655]

Wait a brontosaurus is a CR5 i’d expect that to be a bit stronger CR8 maybe 9

[@esperthebard]

If they were more mobile, had ranged attacks, and were intelligent enough to employ tactics, then maybe.

[@DrLipkin]

Esper: "I'm going to be more positive." Also Esper: "What's with all these languages named the same thing as the creature that speaks it?" You'd prefer "Sahuaginish?" Probably too much of a mouth full, even if it would better fit the trend set by "Elvish" and "Dwarvish." The thing is, I think if humans were only capable of speaking and understanding a single language, we'd probably just call it "the human language" too.

[@ScythianGryphon]

Purple Dragon should return in its glory 🐲 Maybe it was hiding in a far realm, making its plots. Fungus dragon should be a different creature, not related to Purple Dragon.

[@williamredmond8128]

Meth Sorbo Rocks

[@arnijulian6241]

An odd fact most don't know is a badger up to 20 feet per minute in real life. Many species of ants & beetles as small as they are can burrow 10 to 15 per minute which imagine if they were not under a about 2 inches long in size. Damage is not the aim in digging & people would be amazed what little critters are capable of compared to the machinery engineers like myself produce. look at flesh burrowing arachnids like select species of mite as some can get though the dermis before the person can even try to pull them out or claw at them. Never underestimate natural world lad for animals are capable of some feats we Engineers have only just got sense of or have no idea how to replicate! The best boring machines can do about 32 meters or 105 feet per day. it isn't really the machines lack of speed but that the material has to be transported from the dig site & structural integrity as well as reinforcing frames have to be fitted continually in stages as it progresses. If you made a boring machine that could reinforce the tunnel & remove the debris behind it at the same time the distance that could be burrowed would increase about a dozen fold at least.

[@esperthebard]

Excellent information here. Cool to get this insight. Could badgers tunnel through solid stone? I used to live by a creek with gypsum bed, which is a fairly soft stone, so maybe something like that, but no way it would get through much at all in 6 seconds.

[@arnijulian6241]

@@esperthebard Rock badgers or rock hyrax also called rock rabbit can burrow through solid stone in Africa. European badger & similar species avoid solid stone as loam, clay & silt exist which is far less effort. Rats can burrow through basically anything even steel as they have a 24,000PSI =12 ton bite. Many rat species burrow but never go below 4 feet as they have no real reason to. When I use to work on the railway you would find 1 to 2 inch holes though service hatch walls in concrete, steel hatches & all sorts of infrastructure due to the rats. Some items purposely had pre drilled holes so the rats went through the path of least resistance rather then something that could be important. when you opened service areas or moved cables that heated from active power you got a flood of rats come out & many did not stay on the job for days or even a week while I did it for about a year & 1/2. Trick was you botted the 1st rat coming towards you & then the rest parted like the red sea. Worse thing most did was scream & climb up the walls as any animal can sense fear. I like the little critters. No wonder they invested every land we went as they hitch hiked on our ships. pigs later boars & rats are some of the most adapted creatures that can decimate most other ecosystems.

[@arnijulian6241]

@@esperthebardI'm a bit of an odd fella as I I wear a 'jacketed' jacket that has a mesh of wire sawn in between the fabric as it is blade & rat proof. or I wear a thick unstretched leather coat. I only wear boots when about & when I was on the rail I had gaiters I made of chicken wire just in case. Health & safety lot often moaned about what I wore but I never got bitten by rats like other that got very ill from Leptospirosis. I might be overly cautious but it is best to in my mind. I did use to own a sports cup/ crotch cup for my nackers. when I was on the rail I had a set of gaiters made of chicken wire. Neck, groin & ankles are 3 area's you really don't want to sustain an injury as you won't be around for long with blood lose. Hard hat, puncture proof gloves & high visibility vest is all they supplied which I never thought was sufficient. Mind no work place really cares about safety as they just don't want to fined or imprisoned for poor conduct etcetera.

[@alex-uw4mm]

Werebears are fren shaped

[@THEFabianValenzuela]

Bump

[@ananslator3655]

33:05 wait kobald dragons are metallic

[@esperthebard]

Cobalt

[@nettlesandsnakes9138]

@@esperthebard by the way, I found out recently that despite being metallic in some regards that dragon is evil; very lawful but evil.

[@wesleyvalk9129]

We have a very different taste in monsters, I for one hate tanarukk and cambion, no way they are better then bulette and trolls for me personally.

[@kmgenius]

Calmer is for sure better.

[@AkodoKusamoto]

My God. Accurate lore? Unique, useful D&D long- form content? Great campaign advice? And finally...David Bowie, the closest thing to Elvis our generation had (and some would say superior to him), quotes to open? You have my sub with no further questions, Sir. I still think CR is garbage, though. Seeing a CR 2 rip through a level 4 party, while a CR 5 loses to a bunch of level one noobs, says something is wrong fundamentally with the calculations. Not to say the info you give here is bad, mind you. Great video. CR itself just needs a rework, IMHO.

[@JMSouchak]

The French speak French, the Italians speak Italian, the Elves speak elven, and the dwarves speak Dwarven... 😮

[@esperthebard]

You could just as easily say Indians speak Hindi and Tamil, Afghans speak Dari and Pashto, and Chinese speak Mandarin and Cantonese. Though this actually reinforces my criticism. Humans don't speak Human, we speak our various ethnic or cultural languages.

[@JMSouchak]

​@@esperthebard ...And humans speak common, and many elementals have their own sublanguages. Regardless this weakens your criticism and shows a place that you might consider looking into (history of languages) because, in the real world, for example, most languages are named after the people who speak them, but of course not always. For example, Cantonese was spoken and named by the people of Canton (Guangzhou), and Hindi was spoken by people in the region called Hindustan. These regions were later absorbed by larger entities, something is easy to overlook and easier yet to forget, which is why their languages are named differently today.

[@esperthebard]

@@JMSouchak But that is what I'm saying. Our languages are not called the exact same word as our species. They are named after cultures, ethnicities, values, and legendary figures.

[@JMSouchak]

@esperthebard In D&D generally races are essentially used as if they as-if they are just cultures, it's only in more modern D&D settings where the "big" overall world building is done that there is now time for finer details and we are starting to see more unique cultures like the drow not being all Lolth worshippers for example that we are going to see subcultures were the need for unique non-racial themed languages might arise. On the other hand, when travel between the planes is possible and migration is constant, I wonder if the societies would develop more homogeneous languages instead of unique ones with just differences in local slang.

[@Edrogrimshell]

The English speak English, the Spanish speak Spanish, the Germans speak German... Monsters speaking languages that are named after themselves is par for the course for most people.

[@esperthebard]

Yes, that it my point. Humans don't speak human. We speak languages named after cultures, ethnicities, regions, or figures.

[@bowlingvanjapan4099]

Just be yourself. Being natural is always better and fire Is more entertaining than being cowed into toeing some imaginary line of acceptability.

[@NisGaarde]

I think you should be you. And your opinions should be as unfiltered as possible.

[@santiagoestevez2092]

About the language and races in Dnd... it's not that strange. The Spanish speak Spanish, the English speak English, the Germans speak German, the Japanese speak Japanese...

[@esperthebard]

You could just as easily say Indians speak Hindi and Tamil, Afghans speak Dari and Pashto, and Chinese speak Mandarin and Cantonese. Japanese actually speak Nihongo. Though this actually reinforces my criticism. Humans don't speak Human, we speak our various ethnic or cultural languages.

[@sohkaswifteagle2604]

you know the CR and the encounter builder (easy, medium, hard deadly) are meaningless, they are worth NOTHING. I could build an encounter blindfolded throwing dart on the monster glossary and build a more appropriate encounter for my party then what the encounter builder will give you. compare the griffon and the Gryck for example (2 CR 2 monster that are close by in the monster manual) The gryck have 2 more AC then a griffon (10% more chance to dodge an attack), but half the HP One fly 80ft, the other climb 30ft Griffon got 2 attack both with a +6 to hit, one dealing 1d8+4 the other 2d6+4 GRyx got 2 attack with a +4 to hit (10% less chance to hit)one dealing 1d6+2 the other 2d6+2 The griffon is consistently way stronger then a Gryck, but somehow they are both a CR2? Then the encounter builder was "balance" for a team of character made using the 2014 SRD. SO you only have access to 4 classes with 1 subclass each (champion fighter, life cleric, thief rogue and evoker wizard) no multiclass permitted, no feat (just ASI) only 4 race options with 1 subrace each (lightfoot kinder, mountain dwarf, non-variant human (the one who receive +1 to all stat and no feat) and high elf and no magic item. So obviously when your bugbear gloomstalker/assassin build approach with pass without trace and surprises everyone with sharpshooter and crossbow expert and a +2 hand crossbow, he obliterate the 3time deadly encounter in a single round...

[@internetcatfish]

Is it just me, or do the asides seem distracting?

[@Tyrysly]

Please take this as constructive criticism. In your video you expressed that you are trying to rework your interaction with your audience, trying for a more inclusive comfortable experience. What struck me most about your video is your knowledge, bravo, but the second is that you stare right into the camera and your blinking is almost non-existence -- this is aggressive and uncomfortable for the viewer, even though unintentional. Try to work on looking away from camera in a natural way, rather like when you talk with someone. This is harder than it sounds since you are just sitting there with a camera. Your expertise with AD&D is impressive and you are pleasant to look at, but the eye contact needs softening. All my best and thank you.

[@esperthebard]

I had some issues with blinking too much in prior videos, and I seem to have over-corrected 😆

[@Tyrysly]

@@esperthebard It takes a lot of work to be comfortable on stage or on camera, I couldn't do it so I applaud all your efforts.

[@level9drow856]

Any way you could talk about other fantasy TTRPGs? Shadowdark, Paladium, etc... A lot of the old guard have moved on from Hasbro/WotC Dungeons and Dragons to other less politically correct, and pop-culture TTRPGs. I love your mind, your imagination, your suggestions, your lore and your gaming style, but after 35 years I just don't like D&D any more.

[@esperthebard]

I need to play some Shadowdark so I can check it out and review it. I'll have to see if someone will run an adventure at some point.

[@neilpacheco622]

These monsters are all classics!