Martial Master
Small or Medium • Humanoid (Monk) • Any Alignment
Armor Class 19
Hit Points 195 (23d8 + 92)
Speed 30 ft.
Initiative +9 (19)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (+3) | 21 (+5) | 18 (+4) | 15 (+2) | 19 (+4) | 14 (+2) |
Saving Throws Dex +9, Wis +8
Skills Athletics +7, Acrobatics +13, Insight +8, Perception +8
Senses blindsight 10 ft., passive Perception 18
Languages Common plus one other language
CR 12 (XP 8,400; PB +4)
Evasion. If the martial master is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, the martial master instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the save and only half damage if it fails. It can't use this trait if it is incapacitated.
Fleeting Steps. The martial master can move along vertical surfaces and across liquids on its turn without falling during the move.
Skilled Fall. The martial master reduces damage taken from falling by 20.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The martial master makes four attacks, using Unarmed Strike and Dart in any combination. If two Unarmed Strike attacks hit the same target, the target is knocked prone. If all four Unarmed Strike attacks hit the same target, Constitution Saving Throw: DC 17, the target. Failure: The target is incapacitated until the end of its next turn.
Unarmed Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +9, reach 5 ft. Hit: 18 (2d12 + 5) bludgeoning damage.
Dart. Ranged Weapon Attack: +9, range 20/60 ft. Hit: 18 (2d12 + 5) piercing damage.
BONUS ACTIONS
Quick Movement. The martial master takes the Dash or Disengage action.
REACTIONS
Deflect And Throw. Trigger: The martial master is hit by a weapon attack roll. Response: The martial master adds 4 to its AC against that attack, possibly causing it to miss. If the attack was a projectile and misses, Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 17, one creature within 30 feet of the martial master that it can see. Failure: 8 (1d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage. If the attack was a melee attack from a creature within 5 feet and misses, Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 17, the attacker. Failure: The target is knocked prone again and can’t get up this turn.
Martial Master
Small or Medium • Humanoid (Monk) • Any Alignment
Armor Class 17
Hit Points 165 (22d8 + 66)
Speed 30 ft.
Initiative +8 (18)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 (+2) | 19 (+4) | 16 (+3) | 13 (+1) | 17 (+3) | 12 (+1) |
Saving Throws Dex +8, Wis +7
Skills Athletics +6, Acrobatics +12, Insight +7, Perception +7
Senses blindsight 10 ft., passive Perception 18
Languages Common plus one other language
CR 9 (XP 5,000; PB +4)
Evasion. If the martial master is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, the martial master instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the save and only half damage if it fails. It can't use this trait if it is incapacitated.
Fleeting Steps. The martial master can move along vertical surfaces and across liquids on its turn without falling during the move.
Skilled Fall. The martial master reduces damage taken from falling by 20.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The martial master makes four attacks, using Unarmed Strike and Dart in any combination. If two Unarmed Strike attacks hit the same target, the target is knocked prone. If all four Unarmed Strike attacks hit the same target, Constitution Saving Throw: DC 16, the target. Failure: The target is incapacitated until the end of its next turn.
Unarmed Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +8, reach 5 ft. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
Dart. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8, range 20/60 ft. Hit: 10 (1d12 + 4) piercing damage.
BONUS ACTIONS
Quick Movement. The martial master takes the Dash or Disengage action.
REACTIONS
Deflect And Throw. Trigger: The martial master is hit by a weapon attack roll. Response: The martial master adds 4 to its AC against that attack, possibly causing it to miss. If the attack was a projectile and misses, Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 16, one creature within 30 feet of the martial master that it can see. Failure: 6 (1d4 + 4) bludgeoning damage. If the attack was a melee attack from a creature within 5 feet and misses, Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 16, the attacker. Failure: The target is knocked prone again and can’t get up this turn.
Martial Master
Small or Medium • Humanoid (Monk) • Any Alignment
Armor Class 21
Hit Points 228 (24d8 + 120)
Speed 30 ft.
Initiative +11 (21)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 (+4) | 23 (+6) | 20 (+5) | 17 (+3) | 21 (+5) | 16 (+3) |
Saving Throws Dex +11, Wis +10
Skills Athletics +9, Acrobatics +16, Insight +10, Perception +10
Senses blindsight 10 ft., passive Perception 18
Languages Common plus one other language
CR 15 (XP 13,000; PB +5)
Evasion. If the martial master is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, the martial master instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the save and only half damage if it fails. It can't use this trait if it is incapacitated.
Fleeting Steps. The martial master can move along vertical surfaces and across liquids on its turn without falling during the move.
Skilled Fall. The martial master reduces damage taken from falling by 20.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The martial master makes four attacks, using Unarmed Strike and Dart in any combination. If two Unarmed Strike attacks hit the same target, the target is knocked prone. If all four Unarmed Strike attacks hit the same target, Constitution Saving Throw: DC 19, the target. Failure: The target is incapacitated until the end of its next turn.
Unarmed Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +11, reach 5 ft. Hit: 25 (3d12 + 6) bludgeoning damage.
Dart. Ranged Weapon Attack: +11, range 20/60 ft. Hit: 25 (3d12 + 6) piercing damage.
BONUS ACTIONS
Quick Movement. The martial master takes the Dash or Disengage action.
REACTIONS
Deflect And Throw. Trigger: The martial master is hit by a weapon attack roll. Response: The martial master adds 5 to its AC against that attack, possibly causing it to miss. If the attack was a projectile and misses, Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 19, one creature within 30 feet of the martial master that it can see. Failure: 12 (1d12 + 6) bludgeoning damage. If the attack was a melee attack from a creature within 5 feet and misses, Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 19, the attacker. Failure: The target is knocked prone again and can’t get up this turn.
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.