Greatest D&D monster that never existed

[@MadWorlds97]

Oncigam On cigam No magic Love the name

[@CardinalSpirit]

"Just blame Jim Murphy" is actually something that we've adopted at our table quite often lol. Whenever I spring anything on my players that really throws them for a loop or an encounter starts going south for them and they start directing their ire at me, I comically wave my fist in the air and spout something to the effect of "Damn you Jim Murphy, you wily trickster!" at some point. On some level we've all just accepted that the Game Methuselah is attempting to thwart their efforts from the shadows while I, the DM, am just on their side fighting the good fight. We have a good time.

[@jimmurphy1591]

ForEvergreenCS I’m such a bastard

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

With a name like "Jim Murphy" it's a cinch he's trying to wedge his way into the source for "Murphy's Law"... dubious, but justifiable. ;o)

[@jimmurphy1591]

gnarth d'arkanen my evil plan has been found out

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

@@jimmurphy1591 OH... Hi, Jim! How long have you been lurking around this thread? (lolz) ;oP

[@RichardKurbis]

My fave "monster" that I made was a symbiotic doll. It attaches itself to a character that touches it (even with gloves on). I had it in the ruins of a wizards former abode. One of my players, rummaging through the shelves, grabbed the doll off the shelf and threw it over his shoulder, which caused himself 1d4 damage. (being that he was a Wizard, this was not good). The Symbiotic doll was a sentient cursed item, any damage to is is transferred to the attached victim. Of course the player needs a high level remove curse. Slowly (as each time the doll "takes" damage) if its accumulated damage exceeds the victims current max HP, it will doppel overnight as the character (and the player becomes the cursed doll) The former doll will attempt to escape the group to resume its former life, as it too was once a character that was consumed by the curse.... The player (as the doll) can return, if he/she can attach to a new victim, and repeat the curse/process... It added so much greatness to the player's roleplay. Each time the doll took damage, the player noticed the doll morphing incrementally into a likeness of himself. Enjoy!

[@jimmurphy1591]

Richard Kurbis home brew stuff is always good, because you bring your charm to it

[@baltsosser]

I love this one. Sounds brutal as hell, with a big surprise thrown in.

[@andythedestro12]

*takes notes furiously* I can't wait until I'm 5 years dming veteran with 5 years of running and 5 years of all the badass monsters from Jim and Matt. My players will be as exhausted as their characters when they emerge from combat.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Andrew Matsiev be merciful

[@andythedestro12]

@@jimmurphy1591 I haven't had any PC deaths yet in my games. Though I routinely throw deadly encounters at my PCs, they also encounter lots of magic items. And they play relatively smart.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Andrew Matsiev it is much harder to die in the newer D&D version. But I’m sure you players are working hard

[@ethan_g709]

Great to have you back Jim, can't wait to hear about your trip. Those tank videos were great motivation to get back to work on my bolt action army.

[@jimmurphy1591]

CMD__Shepard I live to serve, 👊😈👿👊👁🤬✌️

[@seanhillman1016]

Fantastic. These monster mambos are excellent.

[@JonnyC3]

Imagine a group of these lead by a magic user... They go in, the enemy drops a fireball on the group AND the Oncigams, leveling them up!

[@Bluecho4]

Preferably, the magic user would only do this once it's clear the PCs have figured out what's going on. Every time an Oncigam absorbs a spell, it's another opportunity for the PCs to catch on. But when they've done so - when they suddenly stop attacking the Oncigam with magic, the NPC magic user is free to break out the big spells.

[@emessar]

@@Bluecho4 Um, if I'm a magic user allied with a group of oncigam, why would I not leave town with them for a month and power them up to level 90 before taking over the planet?

[@Bluecho4]

@@emessar As a matter of personal headcanon, I assume that Oncigam _lose_ the power they've absorbed over time (1 "level" per day, until they hit their baseline). Otherwise, there would be nothing stopping one from becoming a Physical God and conquering the world. Assuming this, the magic user _might_ have spent the better part of _yesterday_ boosting his Oncigam buddies, so they'd have as much extra strength as possible _today._ On the other hand, that only works if the magic user knows when they'll need their power, which is not always possible. Enemies (including wily PCs) could attack at any time. From the magic user's point of view, they can't afford to dump all their spell slots on a given day, lest they be caught flat-footed and have no spells to defend themselves with. (Yes, a magic user COULD rely solely on the Oncigam for protection...as if any magic user _would_ trust their safety entirely to others).

[@darklightstudio]

@@Bluecho4 Good head canon,, and I agree. However, what about those pesky unlimited cantrips? :( That kinda breaks things, unless the DM doesn't count them at all.

[@MrFleem]

You finally get the players calmed down enough that they admit the magic absorption was a clever idea and they kinda enjoyed the challenge... Then you let them know they're only getting XP for CR4 monsters.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Fleem Q Swipes you can give them extra xp for the horror.. a first encounter should be a level maker if the party survives

[@MrFleem]

@@jimmurphy1591 Indeed. I was mostly joking. Awhile back, I challenged my players with some clever werewolf infiltrators and gave extra experience for surviving the ruse.

[@dustinmackerman2469]

Love the Holiday Conifer set trees! Got mine from a Michael's or Home Depot set. I don't even have any deciduous trees yet.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Dustin Mackerman those pine trees are so inexpensive

[@justinharkleroad7294]

Love your mobo combos Jim thank you

[@fhuber7507]

And the most evil DM ever thinks... Oncigam Door Mimic

[@jimmurphy1591]

F Huber LOL, ok you win

[@gerardofrivia8413]

Welcome back, Jim. Thanks for another great video.

[@planetchain]

Hi Jim. I'm happy you enjoyed your trip. I look forward to the video about it. Thank you for sharing this great mambo. It's so surprising - a two for one. Oncigams that look like Grell (or some other sinister beastie). Wow! And, of course, thank you to Bruce Schleckbern (totally misspelled) for designing it :)

[@jimmurphy1591]

planetchain see how sneaky I am

[@planetchain]

@@jimmurphy1591 Sneaky in the best, most amazing way :)

[@TheNerdySimulation]

I remember you mentioning these elsewhere (possibly on Twitter or the DM Interview on Matt's channel?) and I'm really glad you not only presented them, but finally brought us the long awaited Grell Mambo! :D

[@wolfknight75]

Fun video Jim. Glad to have you back safely from your trip. I’m glad to hear you had a great time. Looking forward to you doing a video sharing your trip. Love the Grell, I have since the 1e Fiend Folio. Crazy idea with the Oncigam rolled into it. Definitely reminds me of the old days and some goblin-like creatures called Nilbog. Also from the Fiend Folio if I remember correctly. Love that book. Great job as usual and looking forward to some more content from you as well as crossing the 10K mark of subscribers. Take care

[@DeadAnimalOnMyDesk]

I once did something similar with a roper dangling from the ceiling. One year later and my players still hate me for it.

[@jimmurphy1591]

RasendeGurke if they hate you, your doing a good job

[@DeadAnimalOnMyDesk]

@@jimmurphy1591 it's true, we introduced a new player recently and she was greeted by the words: "Prepare to feel all five stages of trauma on one evening." In the end they all enjoyed the session, but it was stressful for them 😅

[@elgatochurro]

I think a great tip off is that it doesnt even bother trying to avoid the spells, it doesnt make a dexterity check, it let's fire bolt hit its ac (unless it's a nat 1)

[@jimmurphy1591]

elgatochurro it will be a big tip off

[@jeremyseldomridge5297]

You mentioned your vacation to England. I went to Spain on.my honeymoon as well as the Canary Islands. My brief stay in Madrid was ... I might say... enchanting. The buildings alone were older than our nation. My head was on a swivel the whole time in Madrid.

[@catpeterson4922]

Great friggin Mambo! Can't wait to throw these at my players. I love that oncigams can be literally any creature. The PCs will learn fear at the hands of all foes once again!

[@jimmurphy1591]

C Penn yes, it can be very mean

[@aaronhearst784]

I like the premise of this, but would likely embody the magic absorption effect as either a curse targeted at a specific caster, or more likely as an aura, which dissembles spells as they are formed. The caster summons the magic to form the spell, but they feel it fall apart before it can properly manifest. I prefer the aura, as it will encourage the Oncigam to chase down the casters, making them feel threatened, yet without realising that they aren't in danger (yet).

[@awesomedude255]

Great video! Definitely going to try them on my party.

[@Lurklen]

Hey, great content as usual. Thanks for the cool monster idea. I have couple questions Jim, if you don't mind: First, what does the natural form of a Oncigam look like, and how is it statted? You said it is a kind of Doppelganger, so would using that stat block make sense? Perhaps just changing it to be able to change to different creatures. When it gains levels and hp from spells, is it only the transformed creature's stats that go up, or would its base form go up too, or a new form if it changed shape mid combat? Second, what are the Oncigam's limits when it comes to transformation? Can it turn into ANY other creature? Is their a type, or size limitation? What happens when its hp drops to 0, does it go back to its original form? Does the creature always start as a level 1? And last, does it keep the levels forever? Or are they lost when it transforms, or on its next rest? Oh, and can it turn off its magic absorption ability? like if it wanted to be invisible or something. Could it be a spell caster itself? You mentioned fireball, does this mean it absorbs area of effect spells as well as those that target it? Can it just keep leveling up forever? Thanks again, hope these questions aren't too much of an irritant. Take care. (Edited to ask question about area effect spells and level cap)

[@jimmurphy1591]

Lurklen I thought a doppelgänger or slime or alike. Start at base monster level with their stats. Loses gains after a long rest(day). I would normally limit to brutal melee creatures. Intelligent creatures with lots of skills could go crazy fast, they cannot cast spells or alike, just naturally abilities. Even these Grell are a stretch

[@Lurklen]

@@jimmurphy1591 Yeah those limits make sense. I thought about as a level cap (because with a caster heavy party they could hit twenty pretty fast) that if they go over a certain threshold they explode in a big burst of magical energy. But the suckers are so greedy for that magic they just keep trying to get spells thrown at them. Could be another hint to the players. When the thing you are throwing magic at starts glowing and pulsating, maybe you better stop. Thanks for clarification. My players are going to hate you.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

@@Lurklen The disturbing bastard in me wants to put the "cap" at around 30 or 50 levels... AND...I'd base that "burst of magical energy" on some kind of weird but basic "fireball" of equivalent (+ish) level. Chances are, by the time it gets to that point, the PC's will have figured out something is "horribly wrong" already, and they won't be close... so the resulting "big F' Boom" won't do too much harm. ...and as you pointed out, that thing's going to get to 20 so fast with a magic heavy Party, it's not even funny. ;o)

[@Lurklen]

@@gnarthdarkanen7464 I know, I'm sitting on the razor wire between wanting to throw a few of these at my party just to watch the fireworks and confusion (they have been a bit fireball happy the past few sessions, and while its burning bridges when it comes to faction relations, they are tough enough that they have been knocking enemies down pretty steady) and y'know, not wanting to tank my game because I killed everyone with a magic eating shape shifter. Yeah the fireball being tied to level sounds great, maybe make the damage something else, fire is great, but doesn't scream "magic overload" like say radiant or force. Maybe after a certain point, like say 20, the creature has to make a save, could be CON, or maybe a mental stat as those don't usually change with shape shifters, with a rising dc based on level that it has to beat, or the thing blows. If it's flagged properly it shouldn't actually get anyone killed as like you say by then it should be obvious something is wrong. Honestly the critter's pretty dangerous on its own, this is just flashy icing on the cake. And who doesn't love when an enemy goes BOOM at the end of a fight?

[@bocconom]

Wow Jim, so close to 10,000 subscribers! When I joined you were under a 1000. Another wonderful video.

[@jimmurphy1591]

bocconom thanks

[@sath2749]

This reminds me of a Giggleblitz. Not exactly in what it did, but in what it can do to the party. They eat magic. Every time they attack a person they steal a spell (starting at high levels first) or they eat a magic item (making said item useless.) This was something thrown at us in LARP. The only way you could effect it was to take off a shoe and stand only on that foot. (Really funny to see) Yes, magic users hated them but it was worse for non-magic users who had magic items. People ran in terror until they could remove a shoe and stand barefoot on one foot.

[@MasterTalon]

I still want to see a Mambo of the Bulette.

[@FilmshooterOH]

This is evil. Fun, but evilness for your party.

[@DrossPedantic]

Last night I informed my group that I wouldn't be prepped for tonight's session; they suggested I just hit them with a combat encounter or two. Enter the Oncigam trolls.

[@jimmurphy1591]

DrossPedantic must have loved that

[@DrossPedantic]

@@jimmurphy1591 They definitely thought they were illusions before realizing the situation. Every member of the party is some sort of gish, so they all had at least decent martial options. They're usually pretty fast and loose with spell-slinging though; so, even though I clued them in during the first round, one of the two leveled-up seven times + alot of cantrip healing, with two of the party members spamming Eldritch Blast. They were lucky the 5th-level spell missed the second one. I think my players' favorite part was my description of the oncigams' true form, which they reverted to upon death, as looking like the Greendale Human Beings.

[@lewdkingdomdoujinshi8801]

Thats crazy! What a great idea I love it

[@jimmurphy1591]

Team Sneakerhead thx

[@ddesouz6]

The Getty Museum is having an exhibit called “the book of beasts” the bestiary of the medieval world. Thought you’d like to know. May 14 - August 18. Haven’t gone yet but I definitely plan on taking the family.

[@jimmurphy1591]

ddesouz6 thank you, I’m going!

[@Bluecho4]

If I were running an Oncigam encounter, I'd pair it up with heavily armored buddy. Specifically, an Eldritch Knight, equipped with the Protection fighting style and the Shield Master feat. Maybe also with armor or some sort of equipment that gives the Fighter resistance to magic damage. Lastly, I'd give the Eldritch Knight an ability like what the Goblin Boss has: as a reaction, it can make an ally take a hit instead of itself. The point of this exercise is thus. The Eldritch Knight sees value in pairing up with the Oncigam. But he doesn't want to die, and knows a lot of spells will be coming their way. That's what stuff like Shield Master and the magic resistant equipment are for. No one engages in the thick of fighting without some sort of "out" for themselves, because most creatures don't want to die. The ability to substitute an ally for himself is used by the Fighter when he's targeted by magic attacks, so he can get his buddy to absorb magic. In turn, the Protection style is there to keep the Oncigam protected from mundane attacks. All the while, the two are almost certainly going to be targeted by area-of-effect spells, because they're bunched up so close. Which is exactly what they want. The Oncigam just absorbs the magic and grows stronger, while the Fighter has taken steps to protect himself as much as possible. And in later rounds, when the PCs have (hopefully) figured out the Oncigam's gimmick, the Eldritch Knight can always cast his OWN spells. Spells like Burning Hands, preferably catching both the Oncigam AND one of the PCs.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Bluecho4 am, so your more evil than me

[@Bluecho4]

@@jimmurphy1591 Obviously, it's the sort of thing I'd break out for a high level party. Otherwise, this setup is just _mean._

[@jimmurphy1591]

Bluecho4 which is there normal stomping grounds

[@marshallsonsteby3862]

What a nasty creature! I love it so so much.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Marshall Sonsteby use it sparingly. One encounter will keep everyone on edge fo years

[@marshallsonsteby3862]

@@jimmurphy1591 that's good feedback! I am trying to figure out in my head how the party will win vs. just running away.

[@jebgordon8391]

I used this idea in my game recently. It was great. The players assumed it was a grell and just kept throwing spell after spell at it.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Ooops

[@EricSchwartz02]

Very cool!! I had two questions though: 1) what would it look like in its native form (I assume that is what it would revert to when it is killed)? 2) What about magical weapons? If they absorb magical spells, it would be natural to assume they have immunity, or at least resistance, to magical weapons. Or is that a bit much? Thanks.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Eric Schwartz a sculpture doll. Form, no features. Unless you have a better idea. Doppelgänger

[@antanasgudynas5968]

omg i am so using this ;D cheers

[@rickeymariu1]

Can we have more of these?

[@enochromero122]

Wooooo new video

[@nathankelley1466]

A Nilbog for magic users.

[@daveford5683]

I knew that was the reason for level 5!

[@emessar]

A few questions ... Do the oncigams still suffer the effects of the spells cast on them? (take damage, etc). Do they retain those levels permanently, or lose them over time? Is there a maximum level? How intelligent are they?

[@jimmurphy1591]

Michael Roach no spell effect, revert after a long rest or a day

[@BLynn]

How do Cantrips work against these beasties? Half level for each attack or no effect?

[@jimmurphy1591]

B Lynn d3 hit points

[@BLynn]

@@jimmurphy1591, thanks, sorry if I missed it in the video, I am listening on headphones at work so some times I miss things.

[@hypocriticaltroll9471]

Hey Jim, would your Oncigam absorb Paladin smites like wizard spells? I’m definitely using this against my team. Thanks for the inspiration! 🙏🏻🙌🏻

[@jimmurphy1591]

Hypocritical Troll no, only arcane

[@hypocriticaltroll9471]

Jim Murphy - Thank you, sir!

[@baltsosser]

These critters do well when spells are used targeting them. How do they do with Area of Effect spells?

[@jimmurphy1591]

V Star 1300 Adventures if it effects them, it well fail and level according

[@2112-e1s]

Ed Greenwood has a monster like this chase Elminster around.

[@arisseferiadis2225]

This reminds me of the old 3.5 template Spellwarped creature. www.realmshelps.net/monsters/templates/spellwarped.shtml

[@jeroenimus7528]

Next time you'll cross the pond you should come north of the border and come have a wee dram.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Jeroenimus trike adventures be in Scotland next year for the Goblins of Mordor meet up, game and paint week.

[@jeroenimus7528]

​@@jimmurphy1591 can't see exactly which castle this is (I see a picture but not a name and there's too many castles here to know 'm all) but I'm sure it's doable to get from there to here or the other way around. Let me know when it's closer to date and I'll have some whisky ready for you.

[@haveswordwilltravel]

That’s an awful lot of math for the DM to do. I may just give +5 temporary hit points per level of spell cast at them. Great Idea though.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Sven Helgrim make it work however you like.

[@Blindeyes1431]

That's the most broke thing I've ever heard. Really, really poor sportsmanship monster that breaks immersion in my opinion. How come pcs don't level up that easy? Can they just beat each other up in an inn each day and get xp for defeating whatever kind of monster they'd be? Better be full xp with no strings attached either. Everything you've said thus far has been great advice but that right there, I might stop talking to my friend who put that in a game, but if they weren't my friend...

[@jimmurphy1591]

Blindeyes1431 I think your right. There are many BS monsters in RPGs. But then, no one puts a gun to the head of DM’s. Please explain the poor sportsmanship? It’s not competitive or a sport. It’s a living story with you writing it. In any event, 👍. To you to challenge. That’s how we all move forward.

[@Blindeyes1431]

Jim Murphy It's poor sportsmanship to have an encounter where you can specifically point at half the party and tell them they can sit out for an hour while everyone else has fun, but not only that but in the process of finding out, those players become a detriment. That's pretty bad but what's worse is if it just happens out of no where. You can't tell and they're just happily sitting around with other monsters of the same type. Now as a spellcaster I have to question every monster, every square, every wall, and no one is going to have fun, just because I can't trust my DM. Because that's not a monster that can just exist in D&D, that is a monster made to spite the player because if it existed it would break the universe. Thinking about these monsters for more than a minute, they'd have to be common knowledge unless this party is the very first people to ever witness them (which would make it doubly unfair since they'd have zero chance to know beforehand what they do). Because if there were any notable power on this world, they would have devoted generations into taming one of these creatures enough to weaponize them as soldiers. You have 2 or three of these creatures and an entire army of spellcasters just saturate the battlefield with magic. That's enough to win any fight, probably even defeat a Tarrasque given enough time, especially since they can change forms to whatever they want. They just don't fit, at least not in any D&D I would play.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Blindeyes1431 I love that you defend your position so passionately and clearly. I think we might have a different perspective on what is fun, fair and alike in RPG. I am weaving a epic with the help of all my players. It’s not a one off dungeon crawl for “murder hobos “. There are lots of monsters that will put players out of the action, have you not seen this? I know that my “old school” vision is not always in step with the “no lose” games I see a lot. There is nothing wrong with playing whatever you want. But know that’s not the only view of the game.

[@Blindeyes1431]

@@jimmurphy1591 I hope I don't come off as overly abrasive. I have no problem with how you run your game, I just feel it would encourage toxic behavior with the way I run mine and I've only had egotistical DMs who have done things similarly. I think no lose games have stemmed from the stigma 4E brought where that edition was seen as anti-Gygaxian and then a lot of killer dms came out of the woodwork denouncing 4E and missing the point of old school difficulty in games and were killer dms out of egotism, one upping players when they felt their monsters weren't being respected. That's why I say it's poor sportsmanship because it conjures that loathing I have for those games run by those DMs.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Blindeyes1431 I’m sorry to hear that. I good DM can make games, even unbalanced ones magic. Keep looking for better players. If the game falls apart the biggest offender and loser in time and energy is the DM. Your not abrasive, your right to have an opinion

[@lordzaboem]

Jeez! One level of spell equates to one level od experience. Capture that thing and reverse engineer it. The PCs will be gaining several XP levels each within minutes. Heck, polymorph into one, and you don't even need to invest any time into research. The whole 1 spell: 1 XP level seems way, way out of proportion to me.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Scott Gastineau would would you think is fair for a forty plus year old monster. No senior discount?

[@lordzaboem]

@@jimmurphy1591 Ooookay, I only just discovered your channel, and I was honestly trying to give you a fair chance. I think that I was blunt but fair in explaining the flagrant problem involved here. We both know that the age of a homebrewed monster has nothing to do with game design nor the math which results from it. If you are going to act immature like this, instead of a subscriber, you earn a block, Mister Murphy.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Scott Gastineau there was no math 40 years ago. XP was hit dice, gold and any bonus. I don’t care if you use this, just want DMs to think about it. Thanks for responding with you option

[@EricSchwartz02]

Well that escalated quickly. 🤨

[@jimmurphy1591]

Eric Schwartz have to love the passion, sometimes the tone is a little rough. But that just seems like the new world

[@OneFingerYT]

You keep making a smacking noise when opening your mouth.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Martin Pedersen so sorry