Explorer
Small or Medium • Humanoid • Any Alignment
Armor Class 13
Hit Points 16 (3d8 + 3)
Speed 30 ft., climb 20 ft.
Initiative +2 (12)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 (+2) | 14 (+2) | 13 (+1) | 10 (+0) | 12 (+1) | 10 (+0) |
Saving Throws Dex +4
Skills Animal Handling +3, Investigation +2, Nature +2, Perception +3, Survival +5
Gear leather, dagger, shortbow, shortsword, rope
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages Common plus two others languages
CR 1/4 (XP 50; PB +2)
Seasoned Traveler. The explorer ignores difficult terrain caused by natural environments. Additionally, the explorer always knows which direction is north.
Tireless. The explorer’s carrying capacity is doubled.
ACTIONS
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4, reach 5 ft. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4, range 80/320 ft. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
BONUS ACTION
Quick Rescue. The explorer stabilizes an unconscious creature that has 0 hit points without needing to make a Wisdom (Medicine) check.
REACTIONS
Evasive Maneuver. Trigger: The explorer is targeted by a spell or ability that has an area of effect. Response: The explorer moves 10 feet without provoking opportunity attacks, possibly leaving the area of effect.
Explorer
Small or Medium • Humanoid • Any Alignment
Armor Class 11
Hit Points 5 (1d8 + 1)
Speed 30 ft., climb 20 ft.
Initiative +0 (10)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 (+0) | 11 (+0) | 12 (+1) | 10 (+0) | 12 (+1) | 10 (+0) |
Skills Investigation +2, Perception +3, Survival +3
Gear dagger, shortbow, rope
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages Common plus two others languages
CR 0 (XP 10; PB +2)
Seasoned Traveler. The explorer ignores difficult terrain caused by natural environments. Additionally, the explorer always knows which direction is north.
Tireless. The explorer’s carrying capacity is doubled.
ACTIONS
Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +2, reach 5 ft. Hit: 2 (1d4) piercing damage.
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +2, range 80/320 ft. Hit: 3 (1d6) piercing damage.
BONUS ACTION
Quick Rescue. The explorer stabilizes an unconscious creature that has 0 hit points without needing to make a Wisdom (Medicine) check.
Explorer
Small or Medium • Humanoid • Any Alignment
Armor Class 15
Hit Points 58 (9d8 + 18)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
Initiative +3 (13)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (+3) | 16 (+3) | 15 (+2) | 10 (+0) | 14 (+2) | 10 (+0) |
Saving Throws Dex +4
Skills Animal Handling +4, Investigation +2, Nature +2, Perception +4, Survival +6
Gear studded leather, dagger, shortbow, shortsword, rope
Senses passive Perception 14
Languages Common plus two others languages
CR 2 (XP 450; PB +2)
Seasoned Traveler. The explorer ignores difficult terrain caused by natural environments. Additionally, the explorer always knows which direction is north.
Tireless. The explorer’s carrying capacity is doubled.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The explorer makes two attacks, using Shortsword and Shortbow in any combination.
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5, reach 5 ft. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage.
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5, range 80/320 ft. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage.
BONUS ACTION
Quick Rescue. The explorer stabilizes an unconscious creature that has 0 hit points without needing to make a Wisdom (Medicine) check.
REACTIONS
Evasive Maneuver. Trigger: The explorer is targeted by a spell or ability that has an area of effect. Response: The explorer moves 10 feet without provoking opportunity attacks, possibly leaving the area of effect.
QUICK REFERENCE
USING MONSTER VARIANTS
Monster variants allow the GM to adjust encounters to better match the party’s strength, narrative needs, or world-building logic. A weaker variant may represent a juvenile, wounded, or lesser specimen, while a stronger variant can serve as a leader, champion, ancient creature, or apex predator.
Variants can be used to fine-tune difficulty without changing the core identity of the monster, making them ideal for scaling encounters, reinforcing hierarchy within a faction, or creating memorable boss-style enemies. You can even use the same stat block but different variants in the same encounter if you want.
Design Note. Each monster is primarily balanced around its normal version. Weaker and stronger variants are derived adjustments and may not always preserve every tactical nuance or “feel” of the original creature. GMs are encouraged to review variants carefully and adjust abilities or tactics as needed to best suit their table.