Every quest and grand adventure has to have a beginning, and most Dungeons & Dragons quests involve some form of combat. Choosing the appropriate type of foe for the players is vital for setting the campaign's tone. The early enemies of a campaign are essential in hooking the player's attention and getting their characters wrapped up in the stories to come.

D&D is full of not-so-intimidating foes that are perfect for the early stages of a campaign. The best low-level enemies come with rich story hooks, room for growth, and versatility to match many campaign settings. Still, even if these low-level D&D monsters aren't flashy like beholders and ancient dragons, D&D monsters with low CR can be exciting, memorable, and most of all, properly challenging for a team of rookie adventurers in the Forgotten Realms.

Updated January 2nd, 2024 by Louis Kemner: Many D&D players and DMs want to jump into higher levels with more spectacular enemies. However, the lower levels of D&D 5e are full of interesting and entertaining foes to fight. This list has been updated to adhere to CBR's current publication standards.

35 Bullywug Croakers Are Frog Warriors In Marsh Battlefields

CR: 2

Three bullywugs teaming up on a fourth in a swamp

More About Bullywugs:

  • Can easily hide in their swamp/marsh homes
  • Use basic weapons and shields
  • Use songs to deal psychic damage

Bullywugs are amphibian creatures who might be thought of as small, evil frog-people. Most bullywugs can be found in marshes and swamps, where they often speak with regular frogs in their language. In battle, they use simple spears and shields, and their songs can deal psychic damage to their enemies. Or, they can give each other temporary HP with other songs.

Bullywugs are great low-level D&D monsters that can replace goblins and kobolds in swamp or marsh settings, where they can easily hide and launch ambushes. In particular, a DM might begin an adventure in the Ghosts of Saltmarsh campaign with bullywugs of all kinds, including the croakers.

34 Mimics Are Ambush Predators With Sticky Tongues

CR: 2

More About Mimics:

  • Tend to lure enemies close in their disguises
  • Can assume a wide variety of forms
  • Can be used to create suspense and tension

Even though mimics are an iconic creature type in D&D alongside beholders and dragons, mimics actually rank among the weakest D&D monsters in regular combat. As expert shapeshifters, mimics prefer to ambush their victims with their disguises, giving themselves a serious advantage at close range.

Mimics often pass themselves off as treasure chests and barrels, though they can assume other forms too, such as heavy books, a painting on the wall, or perhaps an entire door. Mimics are great low-level D&D monsters to keep novice adventurers on their toes during suspenseful roleplay sessions or dungeon crawls.

33 Nothics Collect Arcane Lore With Their Giant Eyes

CR: 2

A nothic monster in DnD 5e Lost Mines of Phandelver adventure

More About Nothics:

  • Used to be curious wizard researchers
  • Can hit spellcasters effectively with Rotting Gaze
  • Might be found in old libraries or arcane research labs

Nothics are medium aberrations that can use their claw attacks to fight martial characters up close, or use their Rotting Gaze ability on wizards and other spellcasters with low CON saves. Otherwise, nothics are fairly straightforward creatures that tirelessly search for new arcane secrets to learn.

In a way, nothics are tragic creatures, since they are all that remain of wizards who dived too deep into the arcane and lost themselves. The wicked lich Vecna is to blame, cursing certain curious wizards and turning them into nothics. However, there's no way to turn these nothics back or help them remember their previous selves, so a D&D party can simply kill them on sight with a clean conscience.

32 Thayan Apprentices Fight In Groups For Their Villainous Masters

CR: 2

a thayan apprentice in DnD
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More About Thayan Apprentices:

  • Best used in Dead in Thay
  • Can serve as meat shields for stronger boss enemies
  • Fight with fire-based spells like Burning Hands and Fire Bolt

In the Tales From the Yawning Portal anthology book, players may try adventure #5, Dead in Thay, where Kazit Gul Thayan archmage constructed the Doomvault for the sake of his twisted experiments, only for Szazz Tam and his lich minions to take it over. Now it's up to the party to confront Szazz Tam and take him down for good.

Even if the party is 9th level, a handful of Thayan Apprentice monsters should serve as the perfect minions and disposable meat shields for this adventure's true villains. Fodder monsters like these can help block the party's barbarian or paladin from reaching the true villain, for example. In the meantime, Thayan Apprentices can fight back with cool spells like Fire Bolt, Shocking Grasp, Burning Hands, and Scorching Ray.

31 Archers Support Other Monsters With Ranged Fire

CR: 3

More About Archers:

  • Can be used in practically any setting/story
  • Serve as fire support for other monsters
  • Surprisingly high HP, which the DM might nerf

Archers rank among the most flexible monsters from a design standpoint, since these basic monsters can be any race and any alignment, from friendly mercenaries to twisted minions for a lich lord or beholder. Archers are fine low-level D&D monsters for fire support, though DMs should still be careful with them.

Archers are tougher than they look, and their damage can really add up if a fight drags on. For level 2-4 parties, one or two hostile Archers at most is appropriate, and those archers might get their HP nerfed unless the party can use the right spells to take them out of the fight early, like Hold Person.

30 Goblins Are Iconic Ambush Monsters

CR: 1/4 - 2

A trio of goblins with different weapons in DnD

More About Goblins:

  • Nimble Escape for improved mobility and stealth
  • Melee and ranged capabilities
  • Relatively high AC thanks to high Dex, leather armor, and shields

Traditionally, D&D goblins are green, nasty little things skulking in tunnels, brandishing knives, and eating whatever wanders in. But that's just one interpretation of them. Goblins can be almost anything to anyone, from a pack of nasty tunnel dwellers to an organized hit-and-run ambush force to a clandestine group of city thieves.

Goblins are versatile, have low HP, and move in packs. Furthermore, they often employ poisons, sly tactics, and traps that turn a supposedly low-level encounter into a danger for high-level heroes. They fit anywhere, can be easy or hard depending on how they're played, and come with built-in higher-level allies. Hobgoblins and bugbears are higher-level goblin-like creatures that can challenge a party for several levels.

29 Giant Rats Swarm Their Victims With Teeth And Claws

CR: 1/8

A Giant Rat in the DnD 5e Monster Manual

More About Giant Rats:

  • Advantage on smell-based Perception checks
  • Pack Tactics rewards swarm behavior
  • Bite attack can inflict a hit point-draining disease

Many creatures are intelligent enough that a good D&D bard might sing a tune or crack a joke to avoid combat altogether. That doesn't work with giant rats. They're always hungry, traveling in packs and flanking their soon-to-be meals. Giant rats pose a real threat through their numbers and ability to hide, making an excellent challenge for low-level adventurers.

Giant rats generally travel in packs. When a hero spots one, it means there are likely several more hiding nearby waiting to pounce. A DM can say that whatever inn the heroes are resting at requests help with a rat problem in the cellar to create a quick and easy first quest.

28 Dragon Wyrmlings Are A Great Introduction To Fighting Dragonkind

CR: 1-4

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More About Dragon Wyrmlings:

  • Iconic to Dungeons & Dragons
  • Variety of CRs to challenge different parties
  • Flight and breath weapons open up combat possibilities

Dragons are such an iconic part of D&D that they're there in the name. Most dragon encounters will take place late in a D&D campaign. They're dangerous and legendary creatures that most adventuring parties are wise to steer clear of. However, a dragon wyrmling is young enough that a low-level D&D party can fight them.

Dragon wyrmlings range from the CR 1 copper or brass dragon wyrmlings to the more dangerous CR 4 red dragons. Whichever color the player characters fight, its flight and breath weapons set it apart from other starting enemies. The only risk is that putting small and weak dragons in the player's path can undermine the species' lethal reputation.

27 Mephits Are Small Flying Theats That Explode Upon Death

CR: 1/4 - 1/2

A Dust Mephit elemental in DnD

More About Mephits:

  • Can summon others of their kind
  • Explode on death, making combat more interesting and dangerous
  • Spellcasting capabilities for added versatility

Early-level enemies tend to be straightforward in terms of mechanics. They often only make a single attack each turn and don't get any special moves or abilities. This is not the case when it comes to mephits.

These lesser elementals carry a spell they can cast, making them more interesting while still being a fair challenge for a first-level party. Mephits also often have damage resistances and vulnerabilities, forcing the party to think creatively and use their resources wisely.

26 Bandits Are Typical Villains On Open Roads

CR: 1/8 - 2

A drow rogue sneaking in DnD

More About Bandits:

  • Strong ranged attacks
  • Can have any racial abilities for added variety
  • Bandit Captains have improved defenses with the Parry ability

Bandits can come in many forms, from an average low-level street thug looking for a little extra coin to a fierce criminal leader with a stranglehold on the roads. The bandit fits in anywhere, from the backstreets of a big city to the wide-open road. They are always ready to deprive travelers of coins, treasure, or dignity.

The real strength of bandits is the story potential behind them. They can be a hard encounter when they come in numbers and have a reason to fight, or easy if they are all just cowards. Figuring out what has driven people to a life of robbery can be as interesting as fighting them.

25 Lycanthropes Are Low-Level Threats For Horror Campaigns

CR: 2-5

A Werewolf in hybrid form in DnD

More About Lycanthropes:

  • Humanoid, beast, and hybrid forms to suit many situations
  • Multiple types for different settings
  • Immunity to non-magical attacks forces players to try new tactics

Lycanthropes are a classic horror monster that D&D lets players fight, and they fit well in horror-themed campaigns like Curse of Strahd. Players have to be careful when fighting them. Between their ability to shift between forms, their high hit points, and the potential for infection with lycanthropy, lycanthropes are always a dangerous foe. However, they're not beyond the capabilities of even starting parties.

What makes D&D lycanthropes a notable early-game challenge is their immunity to standard weapons. Players have to use spells, magical abilities, or stranger weapons to stand a chance at hurting them. D&D players can get very creative when their usual methods are denied. As long as they only fight one or two lycanthropes at a time, parties can make effective work of them.

24 Gray Oozes Are Acidic Ambush Monsters

CR: 1/2

A Gray Ooze disgusing itself as a wall in DnD

More About Gray Oozes:

  • False Appearance can be used to catch players off-guard
  • Corrode Metal encourages players to think tactically about the fight
  • Slow speed encourages player mobility while also allowing for ambush tactics

Oozes are a recurring creature type in D&D with varied and strange abilities. Two of their more consistent traits are acid damage and the ability to blend in perfectly with their surroundings. A DM might want to introduce this ability to their party early on, and the gray ooze is a clear choice.

A gray ooze can be a significant threat because of its corrosive abilities. DMs may want to use one to teach players about lasting consequences in combat. However, they should be careful to not render all of a character's equipment useless — or at least provide replacements if they do.

23 Spies Stalk The Party And Strike When Least Expected

CR: 1

A Rogue Assassin climbing a building in DnD
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More About Spies:

  • NPC counterpart to the rogue class
  • Effective combatants with Cunning Action and Sneak Attack
  • Capable outside of combat

Spies are some of the most dangerous humanoid D&D enemies at lower levels. They have surprising prowess both in and out of combat due to their similarities to D&D's rogue class. In combat, they are maneuverable due to their Cunning Action, which lets them Hide, Dash, or Disengage. On top of that, they can hit hard with Sneak Attack. However, spies best shine outside of combat.

They have a wide range of skill proficiencies, ranging from Deception to Sleight of Hand to Persuasion. They can challenge low-level D&D characters without drawing a weapon. They're best suited to intrigue-themed campaigns but can work almost anywhere.

22 Flying Snakes Glide Silently Through the Air When Attacking

CR: 1/8

A flying snake wrapped around a hand in DnD

More About Flying Snakes:

  • Flyby ability improves mobility
  • 60 ft. fly speed makes them incredibly hard to pin down
  • Inflicts high poison damage without the opportunity for a saving throw

In the world of D&D, one can't always assume that the sound of an airborne creature is a bird or something similarly harmless. It could, in fact, be a flying snake. As if snakes on the ground weren't already terrifying enough, the flying snake swoops in as a dangerous early-game threat.

Nightmare fuel aside, flying snakes are a low-level challenge. They are mobile creatures who attack with low-damage melee bites that deal additional poison damage. Their surprising stealth also makes them well-suited to ambushes or surprise attacks.

21 Animated Objects Spring To Life To Fight The Party

CR: 1/8 - 3

Animated Armor attacking in DnD

More About Animated Objects:

  • Wide range of forms and combat abilities
  • False Appearance trait makes for great ambushes
  • Immune to poison and psychic damage, plus most conditions

From the flying sword to the rung of smothering to the animated armor, having objects come to life and attack the party is a great challenge for low-level characters. These objects can at first appear to be either set dressing or even treasure, but the tables will quickly turn when they rise to attack.

Any place suffused with ambient magic might give rise to animated objects inadvertently. But they are also perfect guardians for paranoid spellcasters, whether they are currently active or long dead.

20 Harpies Might Charm Unsuspecting Adventurers

CR: 1

A DnD Harpy looking up at the sky

More About Harpies:

  • Flying speed presents certain characters with a challenge
  • Able physical combatants
  • Luring Song charms foes

Many low-level D&D monsters can be disappointing to fight, especially if they have little in the way of special abilities. Harpies are a creatures built around their unique Luring Song feature. They force creatures within 300 feet to make a Wisdom saving throw or become Charmed. A creature Charmed in this way then has to make their way toward the harpy in the most direct route.

This can lead player characters off of ledges, over hazardous terrain, or through the spaces of other enemies. The D&D harpy is the ideal creature to introduce players to D&D's magical abilities and conditions. When used well, they make for an unforgettable encounter.

19 Grimlocks Capture Their Victims And Drag Them Underground

CR: 1/4

A Grimlock brandishing a weapon in DnD
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More About Grimlocks:

  • Blindsight gets around stealth and even invisibility
  • Stone Camouflage trait makes them excellent ambushers
  • Spiked Bone Clubs do a mixture of bludgeoning and piercing damage

According to the D&D Monster Manual, grimlocks are descended from ancient human societies that were subjugated by the mind flayers. Today they are underground hunters that rely on a blindsight ability to stalk their prey through the dark. Any underground environment with dark corners could hide these creatures.

Grimlocks are vulnerable to light, giving the low-level party an easy escape should the cramped tunnel combat with these creatures turn sour. There are easy enough ways to insert them, but they are fantastic low-level enemies when on a quest in the Underdark.

18 Zombies Are Classic Undead Foes That Fight In Groups

CR: 1/8 - 9

More About Zombies:

  • Undead Fortitude makes them extremely durable
  • Immune to poison damage
  • High hit point totals

Undead monsters like zombies can be remarkably durable. However, there's only so much a creature this slow and compulsive can do. It's one of the easiest types of undead for first-level heroes to deal with. They might be found in ancient crypts protecting lost treasure, wandering through unkept graveyards, or in the basement of the town baker who just happens to moonlight as a necromancer.

Zombies can come in many different forms, from humanoids to ogres to even beholders. Scaling up a zombie-themed campaign isn't even that difficult, as huge swarms of undead are a common trope in all kinds of horror fiction.

17 Dinosaurs Are Memorable Beasts For A Prehistoric Feel

CR: 1/4 - 8

Several Dinosaurs attacking in DnD

More About Dinosaurs:

  • Wide variety of species for all environments
  • Can serve as powerful mounts for other creatures
  • Naturally high AC

Whether as living members of the current ecosystem or part of an outlandish Land That Time Forgot-style adventure, throwing dinosaurs at a group of adventurers is a surefire way to get them excited and scared in equal measure. Almost every player will be excited about the opportunity to battle a real-life dinosaur.

There are many options, from the airborne pteranodon to the aquatic plesiosaurus to the ever-popular velociraptor. Dinosaurs also scale extremely well, starting at the lowest Challenge Ratings and ranging all the way up to the mighty Challenge Rating 8 Tyrannosaurus Rex. More of them also appeared in the new Bigby book, like altisaurs and regisaurs, though their challenge ratings are rather high.

16 Skeletons Are Undead Minions Vulnerable To Bludgeoning Damage

CR: 1/4 - 16

A Skeleton spellcaster clutching a book in dungeon library

More About Skeletons:

  • Wide variety of alternate forms
  • Ability to use ranged weapons
  • Immunity to poison

Zombies are slow and tanky, taking hit after hit and refusing to die. Skeletons, on the other hand, have a lot more offensive power. They can wield weapons and wear armor, making them a little more of a challenge than their putrefied counterparts.

Skeletons aren't generally sentient. They're often puppets or servants of another, more powerful necromancer or undead. This makes for a natural progression, as players will need to climb a ladder of more and more powerful undead to reach a final boss.