The expansive universe ofDungeons & Dragonsfeatures many wondrous and often downright terrifying monsters. The celebrated tabletop RPG is brimming with fantastical beasts, each capable of aiding or hindering parties in some capacity. However, selectDungeons & Dragonsmonsters have greater ambitions beyond meddling with ragtag groups of adventurers. These aspiring creatures may desire wealth, power, or even the complete devastation of the world.
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Monsters with the potential for such a feat are rare but capable nonetheless. Many of these world-ending entities are forces of nature, enemies of the gods, or possibly death incarnate. Regardless of their purpose, these apocalyptic beings will not rest until the world,or the universe at largemeets its end. Such immense forces are often the stuff of legends that will inspire and shape heroes of equal renown. As such, these world-ending monsters make for pivotal antagonists in campaigns.
11Alkilith
Alkiliths are the spawn of Juiblex, the demon lord of oozes and shapeless beings. They form from pieces of the demon lord’s amorphous body that disconnect and gradually gain sentience. Shortly after, Alkiliths venture to the Material Plane with the sole intention of wreaking havoc. While unimpressive at first glance, these ooze-like creatures can erode the fabric of reality, creating a gateway to the Abyss,one ofDungeons & Dragon’smany planes, specifically the most chaotic.
Alkiliths shapeless and unthreatening form allows them to move without raising suspicion. They can ingrain themselves on doors, windows, and other apertures, appearing to common folk as harmless moss. Once they take root, Alkiliths will begin warping the fabric of reality, all while inflicting disease and madness to those in its vicinity. This plane-bending process will form a gateway to the Abyss, allowing demons to breach the Material Plane without consequence. Alkiliths can bring the world to ruin should they create a far-reaching planar rift.
10Vampire
Vampires are powerful undead monstrosities with a ravenous hunger for blood. The curse of vampirism would transform mortals into these decadent beings and, in doing so, corrupt them. Even the most virtuous individuals would become entities of pure evil should they become vampires. Their insatiable desire for power and influence drives them to annihilate all others, bringing forth a world under their rule.
Vampires possess numerous benefits, such as immortality, superhuman fortitude, and life-draining capabilities. There are notable weaknesses of vampirism that are mere hindrances to ancient victims of this affliction. Vampires often seek to bolster their capabilities, whether by mastering their vampirism or other beneficial skills. Their desire to improve and dominate others is what makes these undead creatures so dangerous. The ambition of Vampires will grow until they assert dominance over the world.
9Mind Flayer
Mind Flayers areotherworldly conquerorsresponsible for the subjugation and downfall of countless worlds. Although their expansive galaxy-wide empire fell, their lust for conquest did not. Now isolated to the Material Plane, Mind Flayers seek to rule over mortal kind, reigniting their pursuit of domination over the cosmos. They reside in the darkest recesses of the Underdark, plotting to rule over mortals and revitalize their once glorious empire.
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Mind Flayers function as a hive mind, following the directives of the all-knowing and domineering Elder Brain. Their vast, collective consciousness allows them to effortlessly absorb and retrieve copious amounts of information. To further their knowledge-gathering capabilities, Mind Flayers can harness the memories of the brains they consume. They can garner the information necessary to formulate countermeasures, contingencies, and plots. A knowledgeable Mind Flayer hive can orchestrate the conquest of the Material Plane.
8Nightwalker
Nightwalkers are beings of the Negative Energy Plane with the sole purpose of ending all life. When a creature enters the Negative Energy Plane — and survives — these embodiments of death replace it. Upon coming into being, Nightwalkers begin their plight to exterminate all living things, starting with those closest to the one that caused its creation. Once released upon the world, these harrowing monsters are nearly impossible to contain.
Nightwalkers consume life and leave nothing but death in their wake. Those that fall to these sinister creatures are lost forever or turned into Bodaks, corrupted and malicious monsters.Nothing short of powerful magicor divine intervention can reverse the fate of those who succumb to Nightwalkers. As such, they leave an impression of near-irreversible death in their wake. While they are exceedingly rare, a single one can cause widespread calamity. Should multiple Nightwalkers appear, the world will likely meet its end.
7Atropal
Atropals are the unfinished divine creations of gods that subsist as undead abominations regardless of their progenitor’s absence. These miserable beings were gods in the making that have been abandoned by their creator. Now, Atropals are nothing more than sorrowful and vengeful monstrosities longing to be complete. They exist only to inspire death and suffering as a means of expressing their hatred of everything.
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Although incomplete, Atropals possess power over undeath and negative energy. They can harness the destructive nature of the Negative Energy Plane and control the creatures that reside within it. Should an Atropal gain enough power, they could lead assaults against the Material Plane. However, the real danger lies in their pursuit of becoming complete. Should an Atropal become whole, they will become a god and can bring about an apocalypse to satiate their unending anger.
6Dracolich
Dracoliches are Chromatic Dragons who oppose the limits of their mortality, despite their long lifespans. Through a process similar to creating liches, Dragons can transform themselves into immortal undead beings. Dragons that undergo this ritual lose much of who they were, becoming exceedingly malicious, secretive, and cunning creatures. Such dramatic alterations make Dracoliches far more dangerous than typical Dragons and even someof their more interesting variants.
Dracoliches have an underlying influence on the world’s affairs, manipulating it in secrecy rather than outright impacting it. They can effortlessly dictate events and bend the world to their whim,as a compellingDungeons & Dragonsvillain should. This, in conjunction with their sinister nature, makes Dracoliches far more destructive entities capable of nefarious plots. In addition, they are nearly impossible to stop, as their phylactery prevents them from truly dying. Should a Dracolich desire — which is entirely a possibility — they can bring the world to its end.
5Kraken
Krakens were originally fierce and loyal warriors of the gods, but have since outgrown their righteous origins. Now, they aspire to take the title of god for themselves by garnering worshippers and granting divine blessings or punishment. Even so, Krakens are innately destructive creatures with an inborn desire to wreak havoc upon the Material Plane and all that inhabit it.
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Regardless of their standing in the world, Krakens will always seek to conquer, kill, and destroy. Should anything set them on the path of destruction, there is nearly nothing that can quell their onslaught. Such is especially true for Krakens of significant renown, as followers will gladly give their lives to their cause. In truth, cults of these formidable monstrosities will likely pursue calamity. As such, Krakens can cause widespread destruction unchallenged and exterminate all life, should they desire.
4Tarrasque
Many considerthe Tarrasque to be the most terrible and destructive creatureon the Material Plane. Regardless of its disputed origins, all consider this venerable beast a force of nature. The Tarrasque is nearly impossible to kill as it boasts almost impenetrable defenses. Moreover, there is no effective way to permanently destroy or banish it because of its irreversible connection to the Material Plane.
The Tarrasque has yet to destroy the world due to the negligible time it spends awake. Often it will slumber for decades, if not centuries before rising to wreak havoc for weeks or even months on end. During this period, the Tarrasque causes widespread and long-lasting calamity. The destruction it causes is apocalyptic, bringing an end to entire nations and resulting in an unfathomable loss of life. Should the Tarrasque remain awake longer than mere weeks or months, it could bring the world to its end.
3Aboleth
Aboleths are ancient beings that precede the gods and their rule over the universe. They dominated others as gods, demanding the worship and subservience of all mortal creatures. However, once the gods revealed themselves, they dismantled the Aboleths' empire and established their rule over life. Their sudden and effective fall from glory goes unforgotten, inspiring a bitter resentment towards the gods.
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Aboleths seek to reattain their status in the universe, plotting tirelessly to overthrow the gods. Using their eternal memory that passes to each generation, they retain ancient knowledge that grants them a significant advantage over most. With their long-forgotten information, even the youngest Aboleths prove to be a frightening adversary. Being entities with an unlimited lifespan, they can spend centuries preparing or devising plots for fulfilling their desires. Aboleths are likely to have a plan to destroy the world and get revenge on the gods.
2Demogorgon
Demogorgon is the undisputed Prince of Demons that desires to bring unbridled chaos to the multiverse. Residing within the Abyss, he is constantly debating with himself, trying to decide the most effective way to bring about the destruction of the universe. However, having two separate and conflicting personalities makes this decision very troublesome for the Demogorgon.
The duality of Demogorgon is his greatest weakness and his greatest strength, which has brought many to the brink of madness. Merely contemplating or witnessing the Prince of Demons inflicts insanity in mortals and demands their subordination. As a result, Demogorgon’s cult is among the largest and most powerful groups inDungeons & Dragons. Alongside his followers, Demogorgon could near-effortlessly corrupt the multiverse should he stop bickering with himself.
