Dungeons & Dragons campaigns can span across entire worlds, taking players through various landscapes from vast oceans to lush plains. One of the most iconic and commonly recurring environments found within D&D campaigns are immense mountain ranges.
Often containing trails rife with dangerous foes and tunnels that lead to dungeons, one would be hard pressed to find a D&D world that doesn't contain its fair share of mountains. Like all environments of D&D, mountains can contain various unique and treacherous monsters that call the ridges and peaks their home. So today, we're going to uncover the mountain-fairing monsters of Dungeons & Dragons and see which are the most dangerous!
10 Duergar Despot
Duergar are a tyrannical warped sub-race of Dwarves that were once slaves to Mind Flayers. Primarily found within the Underdark, some Duergar can be encountered within the surface and caves of mountains. Such Duergar include the most fearsome of their kind: the Duergar Despot.
Duergar with magical abilities, these Duergar are as much of a magical threat as they are a physical one, as they have replaced parts of their body with potent mechanical replacements. Toting Counterspell, an AC of 21, two attacks, and even a flamethrower in the form of its Fire Jet attack, a Duergar Despot is a multifarious foe that can be quite difficult for players to deal with.
9 Fire Giant Dreadnaught
One of the most powerful giants players can fight in D&D, a Fire Giant Dreadnaughts are absolute tanks that tote plate armor while duel wielding shields. This massive armor provides them with an AC of 21 which makes them quite difficult to put down.
Capable of attacking its foes with its shields for 8D6+8 damage a hit as well as hurling rocks from afar, these giants are capable combatants regardless of what range they're being faced at. These giants are even capable of charging at their foes with their shields, potentially knocking them prone while dealing significant damage.
8 Phoenix
A massive flaming elemental bird, Phoenix's are near impossible to defeat once and for all. Immune to fire-based attacks, when a phoenix attacks a target, the phoenix is capable of igniting whoever or whatever it had attacked, causing them to take 1d10 of fire damage each turn.
Even once a Phoenix is defeated, it causes an enormous explosion, dealing 4D10 of fire damage to every creature within a sixty foot radius. As if that weren't enough, it also leaves behind a smoldering egg that will inevitably hatch another phoenix.
7 Star Spawn Larva Mage
Star spawn are among some of the most terrifying and eldritch beings that can appear in a D&D campaign. Found in numerous potential locations such as swamps and mountains, the Star Spawn Larva Mage is the most potent of all Star Spawn. A cultist that worships an incomprehensible otherworldly presence, these mages have fused with the force they worship, gaining incredible magical power in the process.
Now assuming the form as a sentient collection of worms given a humanoid form, these abominations are immune to numerous status effects and can cast spells such as Dominate Monster and Circle of Death. Even worse, these beings can simultaneously restrain, blind, and damage foes with their impressive Plague of Worms ability.
6 Storm Giant Quintessent
Without a doubt, one of the most potent giants that players can encounter in D&D is a Storm Giant Quintessent. Appearing in a wide array of locations such as deserts, the sea, the arctic, and on mountains, a Storm Giant Quintessent is a being that is one with a storm itself. These Giants are found within the center of raging thunderstorms, blizzards, and other weather based disasters.
In combat, these beings are incredibly dangerous when it comes to their offense, wielding a highly damaging lightning sword, wind javelins, and the ability to shoot lightning bolts. When they are in dire need, these giants can even disperse its physical body, becoming one with the storm. If a storm has been raging at the peek of a mountain for weeks without dissipating, a party might have a Storm Giant Quintessent on their hands.
5 Red Abishai
Red Abishai are a treacherous form of devil that are known too be able to control the wills of chromatic dragons. With a challenge rating of 19 and an impressive AC of 22, these devils are capable of attacking three times, with each of its hits packing quite a punch. The bite of a Red Abishai notably deals a staggering 3D10+6 piercing damage, plus an additional 7D10 of fire damage!
These creatures are twice as terrifying when in the presence of dragons, as it may attempt to charm any dragon within 120 feet of it!
4 Zaratan
A mammoth sized elemental, like the Storm Giant Quintessent, this creature can be found in numerous types of environments such as deserts, forests, and mountains.
Sporting a high life pool of 307 and an AC of 21, this creature is capable of dealing damage and knocking players prone simply by walking. This massive elemental is also capable of spewing large sums of rocky debris, causing each player in a 90-foot cube to make a dexterity saving throw, dealing 6D10 bludgeoning damage to each player who failed the save.
Even when it seems that the worst is nearly over and that the Zaratan is almost defeated, it can retreat inside of its shell to gain additional health.
3 Ancient Silver Dragon
As the game is titled Dungeons & Dragons, it shouldn't be a shocking revelation that Ancient Dragons are among some of the most formidable monsters in the game.
The second most powerful breed of metallic dragons, Ancient Silver Dragons are among the most social types of dragons known to frequently shapeshift, assuming humanoid forms and embarking on adventures.
When it comes to combat, these monsters tote a staggering 487 HP and an AC of 22, and have access to two breath attacks: a highly damaging cold breath that deals 15D8 of cold damage, and a paralyzing breath that can leave targets helplessly frozen.
2 Elder Tempest
Monstrous sentient storms, an Elder Tempest is the scariest elemental that a party of adventurers can run into, and it can be a challenge for even the most experienced of parties.
Blisteringly fast with a movement speed of 120 feet, these monsters are either resistant or immune to most forms of damage, and are always found within the center of a raging storm. Some of the most deadly capabilities of an Elder Tempest come in the forms of its legendary actions, which can strike down players with grandiose bursts of lighting and thunder.
1 Ancient Red Dragon
Ancient Red Dragons are by and large the most iconic monster in all of Dungeons & Dragons, and are the most powerful form of chromatic dragon that one can encounter.
With a challenge rating of 24, 546 HP, an AC of 22, and a fire breath attack that deals an alarmingly high 26D6 of fire damage, Ancient Red Dragons are without a doubt the most deadly being a party can find in the mountains. When exploring the ridges and caverns of a mountain, players should cross their fingers that its not home to the lair of a Red Dragon.