Monster Reactions — Advanced Old School Revival

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About Reactions

When a monster is subject to a peril of a particular type, it automatically responds with one of 12 standard reactions. These reactions describe what happens either:

When the monster is subject to the peril, or:
Instead of the monster being subject to the peril.

Using Reactions

While half the reactions are typically used for banes and the other half for boons, you can use any reaction in constructing a bane or boon. For example, the reaction Reflect is typically a boon, because it means that when the monster is subject to the peril, the peril reflects back to the source instead of affecting the monster. But if, say, you want curative magic (like a healing spell) to reflect off the monster and heal the source, that might be considered a bane for the monster if the curative magic would ordinarily heal it. Similarly with the fire dragon example from above, Taunt is typically considered a bane, because it forces the monster to focus on you after being subject to the peril. But as a boon, the dragon is taunted instead of being subject to the peril.

Boons

Resists

The monster rolls with advantage when making checks against the peril. Any incoming damage is reduced by 2 before applying soak.

Recovers

At the discretion of the GM, the monster recovers harm instead of receives it. If the source does not specify the amount of harm, the monster recovers 1d6 (or 1 if attribute damage).

Reflects

The source of the peril becomes the target instead of the monster. If an opponent is the source of the peril, they are entitled to a check to resist equal to the TN they set to target the monster.

Buffs

The monster makes its next roll with advantage.

Protects

In lieu of being subject to the peril, the monster receives the status effect indicated until after its next action.

Nullifies

The monster has legendary resistance against this peril, or the peril has no effect and the GM reveals one of its other banes or boons at random.

Banes

Exploits

The monster rolls with disadvantage when making checks against the peril. Any incoming damage is increased by 2 before applying soak.

Drains

At the discretion of the GM, the monster receives harm instead of recovers it. If the source does not specify the amount of recovery, the monster receives 1d6 harm (or 1 if attribute damage).

Taunts

The monster must target its source with their next action in addition to being subject to the peril (as a bane) or in lieu of being subject to the peril (as a boon).

Debuffs

The monster makes its next roll with disadvantage.

Hexes

In addition to being subject to the peril, the monster receives the status effect indicated until after its next action.

Breaks

The monster is not entitled to a check to resist the peril, or its opponent receives narrative advantage against the monster until after their next action.

← Banes & Boons

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