A change to two classics Dungeons and Dragons Monsters shows how the game designers are making monsters feel more unique in the new ruleset. October 29th marks the launch of Descendants of Elemental Evila new mini-adventure made for games organized in stores and conventions. The new adventure will send players to the infamous Temple of Elemental Evil to face an Elemental Evil fanatic and her followers. Descendants of Elemental Evil will also serve to highlight some of the upcoming rule changes in Dungeons and Dragons, including in the next Dungeon Master’s Guide.
Descendants of Elemental Evil also uses several updated creature stat blocks from next year’s revised version Monster Manual. D&DThe game’s designers have previously said that they sought to update several monsters to bring them in line with their challenge ratings, especially in terms of their various abilities and attacks. Many of these changes are rebalanced attack damage and more flavorful abilities. However, the changes in the incubus and succubus suggest Even bigger changes are in store for some monsters.
How Dungeons & Dragons is Changing Incubus and Succubus
Different Statblocks and skills need knowledge
The incubus and the succubus are classics Dungeons and Dragons monsters taken from traditional demonological lore. Both types of demons are used to tempt mortals into evil acts, with incubi taking male form and succubi taking female form. Inside Dungeons and Dragons Tradition, incubi and succubi are referred to as separate creatures, but can switch between forms at will. But although the 2014 stat blocks for incubi and succubi included their ability to shapeshift, they could only mechanically transform into humanoids. Since all demons are considered demons, the two creatures had no way of actually transforming between forms.
The 2024 Incubus and Succubus stat blocks correct this error by giving both the specific ability to shift between Incubus and Succubus forms at the end of a long rest. Although the 2014 stat blocks for incubi and succubi were identical, 2024 stat blocks give both monsters different abilities.
The incubus’ stat block is geared more towards direct conflict, with a Nightmare Touch attack that deals 3d6+5 psychic damage and a bonus Nightmare action that can deal 4d8 psychic damage or leave a creature unconscious for an hour. The succubus, in turn, has access to an eighth-level Dominate Person spell at will that can be used to set up her Draining Kiss ability. Thanks to the succubus’ multiattack ability, the succubus can now cast Dominate Person and use Draining Kiss in the same turn.
What these changes show for the future of Dungeons & Dragons
Expect monsters to hit harder with more interesting abilities
The changes to the incubus and succubus show how Wizards of the Coast is approaching its monster revamps. Firstly, monsters can now mechanically match their lore. The succubus and incubus can now explicitly do what their lore says they can docorrecting an oversight in the 2014 report Monster Manual. Additionally, both monsters now have specific abilities that only one form can access, providing more options for DMs when creating encounters.
Secondly, both monsters are much stronger than the 2014 versions. The 2014 versions of both monsters could only deal the expected damage based on their Challenge Rating if they could use their Draining Kiss skill, which required a turn to set, as it requires a target to be enchanted. The incubus can now deal an average of 30 damage per turn with his Nightmare Touch attacks.
The succubus deals an average of 19 damage, but can also activate her Draining Kiss ability every turn thanks to her access to Dominate Person every turn. If a target makes a saving throw against Draining Kiss, the succubus can still land two Fiendish Touch attacks and not lose a turn.
To put it bluntly, the Incubus and Succubus are much more usable with their 2024 stat blocks. These creatures were unbalanced in their 2014 incarnation. Their Draining Kiss ability could potentially kill a player in one fell swoop, but required multiple shifts to be configured. The new statblocks are much more stable, with more consistent damage output and a toned down draining kiss which can still be deadly under the right circumstances.
DMs can now choose between stat blocks if they want, or throw both monsters into the same encounter to make things even more interesting. If every monster in Dungeons and Dragons received similar changes, so both players and DMs will enjoy more intense encounters in the very near future.