Divok’s Pamphlet of Epic Mini-Boss

Monsters
Aren’t you tired of using that same old Gnoll?

Epic Monsters are a variety that fall just short of Legendary status. They aren’t quite as powerful, but use
similar mechanics to keep combat interesting even outside of your BBEG. These mostly take the form of
monsters that you will see out in your campaign, that have become stronger than normal, allowing you to
slot these beasts into almost any campaign.

by Divok

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast, Forgotten Realms, the dragon ampersand, Player’s Handbook, Monster Manual, Dungeon Master’s Guide, D&D Adventurers League, all other Wizards
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Coast. This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without the
express written permission of Wizards of the Coast.

©2016 Wizards of the Coast LLC, PO Box 707, Renton, WA 98057-0707, USA. Manufactured by Hasbro SA, Rue Emile-Boéchat 31, 2800 Delémont, CH. Represented by Hasbro Europe, 4 The Square,
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Includes Artwork from the following Artists - Nathanaël Roux; Brian Vander Veen;
How They Work
“Mankind are the most legendary monsters I’ve ever
encountered. I guess I’ll have to demote these powerful
beasts to epic status.”
—Koisk, Personal Journal
Epic Actions
These are weaker legendary actions that are designed to
keep combat interesting and flowing despite the Epic Mini-
Boss usually being outnumbered.
Stronger With Time
Epic actions can be used once per round, after an enemy’s
turn, much like Legendary actions. The key differences being
Epic actions are in a locked order as they start of weaker and
typically grow to scale the battle and raise tensions.
This was largely inspired by the work of Matt Colville and
his Action Oriented Combat, only it has been developed so
as to allow you to use these monsters on a more regular
basis.
Example: The Banshee of Belnatow
Lady Belnatow was beautiful… before.
Epic Action 1: Draining Touch
Once during the first round of combat the Banshee of
Belnatow can perform a regular melee attack, but heals for
half of the damage done
Epic Action 2: Draining Reach
Once during the second round of combat the Banshee of
Belnatow can make a melee attack against 2 simultaneous
targets, within 10 feet of her, and heals for half of the
damage done
Epic Action 3: Consuming Touch
Once during the third round of combat the Banshee of
Belnatow forces one melee target to make a constitution
saving throw. On a failure they drop to 0 hit points and the
Banshee heals for 2d6 points. On a success the target takes
3d6 poison damage and the Banshee heals for half of the
damage done.
I omitted much of the actual figures from the example as the
numbers are not the focus here. In fact with many of the
monsters in this pamphlet you can scale their numbers up or
down to make use of the Epic Mini-Boss regardless of your
PC’s level.
Always Outnumbered
Giving your players a challenging single creature to fight is
never easy. This is due to the way the action economy
works. For each player, they get an Action, Bonus Action,
Movement, Special Actions and Reaction. A singular monster
that is not Epic or Legendary only gets one set of these.
This is not a big problem against small groups of players,
but in larger groups you are forced to give your monster
devastating one-hit-kill potential attacks just to balance the
fight.
Epic actions let you have at least two attacks throughout
the round, and you can choose when one of those happens.
As a result you can give your players an engaging, fun, and
challenging fight, without always being in danger of a TPK.
On To The Monsters!
I have shared each of my monsters on dndbeyond too. Click
the Monster's title and it will take you to their stats on the
site.
Just remember you can always edit my monsters slightly to
best fit your setting. They were developed in a Forgotten
Realms campaign, but have been designed so as to be easily
moulded into anything!
The monsters included in this pamphlet are:
 CR3 Dream Eater
 CR8 Corrupted Knight
 CR9 Goblin-Mounted Treant
 CR7 Epic Summoner
 CR5 Dominated Lamia
 CR9 The Great Kappa
 CR4 Epic Jumping Spider
 CR12 Epic Kitty Cat
 CR14 Petrampine
This is the point where you flip to the next page…
 Epic Action 1: Terrorize. The Dream Eater
Dream Eater emits nightmarish visions on any number of
Medium aberration, any evil alignment
targets within 20 ft. Each target must succeed
on a DC 14 wisdom saving throw or submit to
Armor Class 15 their nightmares. If the target fails they are now
Hit Points 50 (8d10 + 10) considered frightened.
Speed 30ft
Epic Action 2: Dream Feast. The dream eater
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA can wake any target affected by Terrorize
12 (+1) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 18 (+4) 6 (-2) removing the frightened condition from them.
At the same time, restore 1d8 hit points for each
terrorized target freed and deal 1d8 psychic
Saving Throws CON +5, WIS +6 damage to each of those targets.
Damage Resistances Bludgeoning, Piercing, and
Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks Epic Action 3: Dream Reader. The dream eater,
Condition Immunities Charmed, Frightened, having feasted on yet more dreams, becomes
Restrained better at reading them. All damage it deals is
Senses Passive Perception 16 increased by 1, and any wisdom saves against it
Languages All will now be made at disadvantage. You may
Challenge 3 (700 XP) start the Epic Actions again next round

Actions
Multiattack. The Dream Eater can make 2 claw
attacks

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5ft.,

one target. Hit: 6 (1d12) psychic damage.

Dream Walk (Recharge 5-6). The dream eater

magically teleports up to 40 feet to an
unoccupied space it can see, and then make a
Claw attack.

Epic Actions
You may take one epic action per round of
combat at the end of an enemy's turn. They
must be used in the order given.
Corrupted Knight Epic Actions
Medium Humanoid, lawful evil
Swap Balor. As a bonus action flip the
Armor Class 18 (Plate) greatsword activating the other set of runes.
Hit Points 91 (14d8 + 28) This changes the blade from Cold Damage,
Speed 30ft Balor's left hand, to Fire damage, Balor's right
hand, or visa-versa.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

16 (+3) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 14 (+2) 14 (+2)
Saving Throws CON +5, INT +5, WIS +5
Senses Passive Perception 12
Languages Common, Infernal
Challenge 8 (3900 XP)
Spells
Innate Spellcasting (Infernal). The knight’s
innate spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell
save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks). It can
innately cast the following spells, requiring no
components:
3/day each: jump, misty step, nondetection (self
only), tongues
1/day each: plane shift, telekinesis
Actions
Multiattack. The knight makes two greatsword
attacks with his flaming blade, 3 runes carved
out of it glow intermittently.
15 (+2)
Epic Actions
You may take one epic action per round of
combat at the end of an enemy's turn. They
must be used in the order given.
Epic Action 1: Perthro. A spikey Capital E
without middle dash. Any blood on the blade
seeps into this rune and into the blade creating
a red glow from the hole. Set one ally on fire,
granting them 1d6 fire damage to anyone
ending their turn next to them, and restoring
2d6 health at the start of their turn.
Epic Action 2: Raido. A Capital R using straight
lines only. Any blood on the blade seeps into
this rune and into the blade creating a blue glow
from the hole. Imbue every ally's weapon within
30 feet with an extra 1d6 cold damage as all
weapons begin to glow a frosty blue.
Epic Action 3: Xye. An X with 3 vertical lines,
one at either end, one in the middle. Any blood
on the blade seeps into this rune and into the
blade creating a dark purple glow from the hole.
The sword gains sentience, the will of Balor
overtakes the blade. It gets its own initiative,
30ft movement, AC 16, and the saving throws
for a Balor. The Knight is now left with spells
alone.

Balor's Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to

hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6)
slashing damage plus 10 (3d6) fire damage if
you are in fire mode or 10 (3d6) cold damage if
you are in ice mode. This is a magic weapon
attack.

Goblin-Mounted Treant
Huge Plant (goblinoid), Chaotic Evil
Armor Class 14 (Treant Natural Armor)
Hit Points 138 (12d12 + 60)
Speed 40ft
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
23 (+6) 8 (-1) 21 (+5) 8 (-1) 14 (+2) 12 (+1)
Damage Vulnerabilities Fire
Damage Resistances Bludgeoning, Piercing
Senses Passive Perception 13
Languages Druidic, Sylvan, Goblin
Challenge 9 (5000 XP)
False Appearance. While the treant and goblin
remain motionless, it is indistinguishable from
a normal tree.
Siege Monster. The treant deals double damage
to objects and structures.
Under Control. While the Goblin is mounted,
the Treant does as it wishes. Without the Goblin,
the Treant goes into a wild rage, acting
randomly. If the party try to hit the Goblin only,
its an AC20, anything between 14-20 hits the
Treant instead.
Actions
Multiattack. The treant makes two bludgeon
attacks with its makeshift metal and wood
weapon.
Bludgeon. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (3d6 + 6)
bludgeoning damage.
Bonus Actions
Goblin Shot. Ranged Weapon Attack: +10 to hit,
range 60/180 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1)
piercing damage.
Epic Actions
You may take one epic action per round of
combat at the end of an enemy's turn. They
must be used in the order given.
Epic Action 1: Entangle. The Treant punches
the ground, sending out vines and breaking the
earth between it and its target. The target makes
a DEX 15. On a success there is no effect, on a
fail they are grappled.
Epic Action 2: Mass Entangle. During round 2
repeat Epic Action 1, only target up to 5
creatures.
Epic Action 3: Enraged Leap. During round 3,
the goblin riding the Treant becomes desperate
and pokes the Treant with fire. This enrages it,
and it leaps up to 60ft punching one target near
its landing spot into the ground.
Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 21 (3d10 + 6) bludgeoning damage.
The target makes a STR 15 saving throw. On a
success there is no further effect. On a failure
they are knocked prone.
Epic Summoner Epic Actions
Medium Humanoid, any evil alignment
You may take one epic action per round of
Armor Class 15 (Leather) combat at the end of an enemy's turn. They
Hit Points 56 (9d8 + 7) must be used in the order given.
Speed 30ft
Epic Action 1: Daggaz Rune. Mark on a surface
the Daggaz Rune. It looks like two parallel lines
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA with a cross connecting them. The rune burns
9 (-1) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 11 (+0) 12 (+1) 17 (+3) red when finished, and makes a duplicate
underneath one target within 60ft. DEX Save 12
dealing 3d6 fire damage. On a successful save
Saving Throws CON +5, INT +3, CHA +6 take half damage. As a gout of flame bursts up
Skills Arcana +6, History +6 from the copy of the rune.
Senses Passive Perception 12
Languages Common + Any 3 Languages Epic Action 2: Algiz Rune. Mark on a surface
Challenge 7 (2900 XP) the Algiz Rune. It looks like a Y but with the
central line continuing upwards. The rune burns
white when finished, and makes a duplicate
underneath one target within 60ft. DEX Save 12
Spells dealing 3d6 cold damage. On a successful save
take half damage. As a geyser of icy wind bursts
up from the copy of the rune.
Innate Spellcasting (Infernal). The summoner is
a 9th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Epic Action 3: Uruz Rune. Mark on a surface
Charisma (spell save DC 13, +5 to hit with spell the Uruz Rune. It looks like a strange lower-case
attacks). The summoner has the following N. The rune bubbles purple when finished, and
wizard spells prepared: makes a duplicate underneath one target within
60ft. DEX Save 12 dealing 2d6 necrotic
Cantrips (at will): eldritch blast, light, mage damage. On a successful save take half damage.
hand, message As a funnel of dark energy bursts up from
underneath.
1st level (4 slots): detect magic, mage armor,
magic missile, shield Epic Action 4: The Summoning. The Epic
Summoner begins chanting, and floats high into
2nd level (3 slots): misty step, enthrall the air, to the central point between the runes.
They slice open their hand and digs a finger
3rd level (3 slots): counterspell, fireball, into midair. They then begin pulling open the
vampiric touch very fabric of reality, revealing a dark, burning
red visage awaiting just behind it. As each
4th level (3 slots): blight, dimension door player ends their turn, the Epic Summoner will
pull it open further, revealing more of the Balor
5th level (1 slot): scrying (CR 19) they are summoning. After 5 turns
including the Epic Summoner's own turn,
which they cannot use, the Balor is summoned
Actions through the rift.

Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to

hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target.
Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.

Dominated Lamia
Medium Humanoid, alignment
Armor Class 13 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 97 (13d10 + 26)
Speed 30ft
STR DEX CON INT
18 (+4) 13 (+1) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 8 (-1) 18 (+4)
Skills Stealth +3
Damage Resistances Psychic
Senses Darkvision 60ft., Passive Perception
12
Languages Abyssal, Common
Challenge 5 (1800 XP)
Spells
Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 4)
piercing damage.
Epic Actions
You may take one epic action per round of
combat at the end of an enemy's turn. They
must be used in the order given.
WIS CHA
Epic Action 1: Intoxicating Curse. Melee
Spell Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
creature. Hit: The target is magically cursed
for 1 hour. Until the curse ends, the target
has disadvantage on Wisdom saving throws
and all ability checks.
Epic Action 2: Mirage Curse. Melee Spell
Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature.
Hit: The target is magically cursed for 1
hour. Until the curse ends, the target has
disadvantage on any targeted ability and
anything considering them as a target is at
advantage, as they see a mirage double of
everything.

Innate Spellcasting. The Dominated Lamia's
innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell
save DC 14). It can innately cast the
following spells, requiring no material
components.
At will: major image
3/day each: dissonant whispers, fear,
hunter's mark
Epic Action 3: Sacrificial Curse. The
Dominated Lamia claws out both of its eyes,
dealing 9 (1d10 + 4) slashing damage to
itself and making it blinded. All target
creatures within 60ft must make a Wisdom
save against it's new DC of 18. On a
success, they is no effect. On a failure they
must strike themselves with the strongest
melee weapon they have, guaranteeing a
hit.

1/day: telepathic bond

Actions

Multiattack. The lamia makes two attacks:

one with its claws and one with its dagger.

Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit,

reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d10 + 4)
slashing damage.

The Great Kappa
Huge Beast, unaligned
Armor Class 13 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 127 (15d12 + 30)
Speed 40ft. swim 40ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS
23 (+6) 14 (+2) 18 (+4) 7 (-2) 12 (+1) 7 (-2)
Skills Athletics +9, Perception +4
Senses Passive Perception 14
Languages Common
Challenge 9 (5000 XP)
Spiked Shell. Resistance to non-magical
Slashing, Piercing and Bludgeoning damage
from behind. When hit from behind the
attacker takes 1d4 piercing damage.
Actions
Multiattack. The Kappa makes two claw
attacks.
Epic Actions
You may take one epic action per round of
combat at the end of an enemy's turn. They
must be used in the order given.
Epic Action 1: Deashi. Wanting to get into
hand-to-hand combat as quickly as possible,
the sumo expert Kappa rushes at its foe.
CHA
Move up to 40ft towards a target. You had
advantage on opportunity attacks for the
round against that target.
Epic Action 2: Kachi-age. Move up to 20ft
towards a target. Make a single claw attack
as the Kappa strikes upwards against the
target's face. The target makes a DC 16 CON
save. On a success there is no further
effect. On a failure they are stunned until
the end of their next turn.
Epic Action 3: Rikishi. Being the ultimate
master of the ring, the Great Kappa has
developed a technique to fight off all
opponents at once. Flipping onto its side,
the Great Kappa spins on his shell,
attacking and knocking back anyone in
range. Make a claw attack at all units within
5ft of the Great Kappa. Anyone hit is
knocked back 10ft. This does not provoke
an attack of opportunity.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach

10 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (3d8 + 6) slashing
damage.

Shirikodama (Recharge 5-6). Strength Save

16. Success: Avoid the attack, you are
instead hit with a regular Claw attack. Fail:
You are tripped prone as the Kappa forms a
piercing spike with its claws and drives it
into your lower back dealing 5d6 + 6
piercing damage.

Epic Jumping Spider
Medium Humanoid, alignment
Armor Class 15
Hit Points 90 (10d10 + 35)
Speed 30ft., climb 30ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
14 (+2) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 2 (-4) 11 (+0) 4 (-3)
Skills Stealth +7
Senses Blindsight 10ft, Darkvision 60ft,
Passive Perception 10
Languages --
Challenge 4 (1100 XP)
Spider Climb. The spider can climb difficult
surfaces, including upside down on
ceilings, without needing to make an ability
check.
Web Sense. While in contact with a web, the
spider knows the exact location of any
other creature in contact with the same
web.
Web Walker. The spider ignores movement
restrictions caused by webbing.
Actions
Multiattack. The Epic Jumping Spider
makes two attacks: one with its bite and one
with its jagged appendage, or web if
available.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5
ft., one creature. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 3) piercing
damage, and the target must make a DC 11
Constitution saving throw, taking 9 (2d8)
poison damage on a failed save, or half as
much damage on a successful one. If the
poison damage reduces the target to 0 hit
points, the target is stable but poisoned for
1 hour, even after regaining hit points, and
is paralyzed while poisoned in this way.
Jagged Appendage. Melee Weapon Attack:
+5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 9
(2d6 + 3) slashing damage.
Web (Recharge 5–6). Ranged Weapon
Attack: +5 to hit, range 30/60 ft., one
creature. Hit: The target is restrained by
webbing. As an action, the restrained target
can make a DC 12 Strength check, bursting
the webbing on a success. The webbing can
also be attacked and destroyed (AC 10; hp
5; vulnerability to fire damage; immunity to
bludgeoning, poison, and psychic damage).
Epic Actions
You may take one epic action per round of
combat at the end of an enemy's turn. They
must be used in the order given.
Epic Action 1: Crushing Leap. The Epic
Jumping Spider leaps from a standing
position using the hydraulic power in its
legs. It moves at great speed, landing at a
target location within 30ft. of where it
started. Any creature within 5ft. of the
landing area makes a Dexterity Save against
a DC 14. On a failed save taking 7 (1d8 + 3)
slashing damage as the spider lands on
them with jagged legs. On a successful save
take half damage.
Epic Action 2: Venomous Leap. The Epic
Jumping Spider leaps from a standing
position using the hydraulic power in its
legs. It moves at great speed, landing on a
single target creature within 30ft. of where
it started. The target creature is then
injected with the spider's venom taking 21
(6d6) poison damage. The target must make
a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or
become poisoned. If the poison damage
reduces the target to 0 hit points, the target
is stable but poisoned for 1 hour, even after
regaining hit points, and is paralyzed while
poisoned in this way.

Epic Kitty Cat
Small fiend, neutral evil
Armor Class 17
Hit Points 72 (16d8)
Speed 30ft
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
8 (-1) 16 (+3) 11 (+0) 20 (+5) 16 (+3) 17 (+3)
Saving Throws DEX +7, INT +9, WIS +7,
CHA +7
Skills Arcana +13, Perception +7
Condition Immunities Charmed
Senses Passive Perception 17
Languages All, Telepathy 120ft.
Challenge 12 (8400 XP)
Magic Resistance. The cat has advantage on
saving throws against spells and other
magical effects.
Magic Weapons. The cat’s weapon attacks
are magical.
Spells
Spellcasting. The cat is a 16th-level
spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is
Intelligence (spell save DC 17, +9 to hit with
spell attacks). The cat has the following
wizard spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): fire bolt, mage hand,
minor illusion, prestidigitation
1st level (4 slots): detect magic, identify,
shield
2nd level (3 slots): detect thoughts, misty
step, phantasmal force, suggestion
3rd level (3 slots): blink, counterspell,
fireball
4th level (3 slots): banishment, blight
5th level (2 slots): bigby's hand, dream
6th level (1 slot): mass suggestion
7th level (1 slot): finger of death
8th level (1 slot): maze
Actions
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach
5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (2d4 + 3) slashing
damage.
Epic Actions
You may take one epic action per round of
combat at the end of an enemy's turn. They
must be used in the order given.
Epic Action 1: "My new robe!". The Epic
Kitty Cat may teleport to a target within
30ft. and make a claw attack. If it hits, the
claw tears through one piece of armor or
clothing the target is wearing, rendering it
useless until such time as it can be
repaired.
Epic Action 2: Shower Time. Every cat
likes to make sure they are clean. The Epic
Kitty Cat can lick its wounds closed, healing
for 36 (8d8). It then starts making a grating
noise. Does it have a fur-ball?
Epic Action 3: Cough it up. It is about time
we coughed up that fur-ball. It is pretty
gross. Anyone that can see it rolls a
Constitution Saving throw against DC16. On
a success there is no effect, on a failure you
begin to throw up, and may well vomit from
the disgusting scene. But that's all. You
didn't really think it would be a huge attack
did you? No? But hopefully your players
did!
Petrampine Epic Actions
Large beast, unaligned
You may take one epic action per round of
Armor Class 17 combat at the end of an enemy's turn. They
Hit Points 230 (20d12 + 100) must be used in the order given.
Speed 40ft., burrow 10ft.
Epic Action 1: Charge. The petrampine
may charge up to 40ft. at a target, then
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA gorge at them with a horn attack.
29 (+9) 14 (+2) 20 (+5) 8 (-1) 16 (+3) 11 (+0)
Epic Action 2: Rolling Boulder. The
petrampine leaps up a few feet, forming
Saving Throws STR +14, CON +10, WIS +8 into a spinning ball. It then charges up to
Skills Athletics +14 40ft. in a single straight line. Any creature it
Damage Resistances Bludgeoning, Piercing, passes through makes a Dexterity Saving
and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks Throw against DC16. On a failure they take
Damage Immunities Lightning, Thunder 30 (6d6 + 9) bludgeoning damage, taking
half as much on a successful save.
Senses Passive Perception 18
Languages --
Epic Action 3: Crushing Demise. The
Challenge 14 (11500 XP) petrampine charges up to 40ft. at a single
target. As it approaches, it leaps into the air
spinning halfway, crushing the target
underneath its spiky back. The target makes
Rock Needles. When hit by a melee attack a Dexterity Saving Throw against DC 16. On
the aggressor takes 11 (3d6) piercing a failure they take 65 (10d10 + 9)
damage from the jagged spikes jutting from bludgeoning damage, taking half as much
the beast's skin. on a successful save.

Actions

Multiattack. The petrampine makes three

attacks, one with its horn and two with its
claws.

Horn. Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit,

reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 36 (6d8 + 9)
piercing damage.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit,

reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 30 (6d6 + 9)
slashing damage