Skeleton (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
roleplaying game, the skeleton is an undead
creature, usually created by applying a template to another creature.
(1974), where they were described as acting under the instructions of their motivator, usually a magic-user
or cleric
of chaotic alignment.
The animal skeleton was introduced in Dragon
#66 (October 1982) in the "Creature Features" column by Gary Gygax
, and soon after appeared in Monster Manual II (1983).
Several skeleton variants appear in Dragon #138, in Tom Moldvay
's article "The Ungrateful Dead" (October 1988), including the bloody bones, the dry bones, the gem eyes, the shock bones, and the skleros.
(1977, 1981, 1983). The skeleton was also later featured in the Dungeons & Dragons Game
set (1991), the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991), the Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1994), and the Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game set (1999).
The Strahd skeleton for the Ravenloft
setting appeared in the Ravenloft: Realm of Terror
boxed set (1990), and later appeared in Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium Appendix III: Creatures of Darkness (1994). The giant skeleton was introduced in Monstrous Compendium Ravenloft Appendix (1991), and later appeared in the Monstrous Manual (1993). The Strahd's skeletal steed also first appeared in Monstrous Compendium Ravenloft Appendix (1991). Several new skeleton variants appeared in Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium Appendix III: Creatures of Darkness (1994), including the archer skeleton, the insectoid (giant ant, giant tick, stag beetle), the skeletal cat, and the skeletal hound.
The skeleton undead dragon appears in Dragon #234 (October 1996), which later appeared in Cult of the Dragon (1998). In the same issue of Dragon, the "Dragon's Bestiary column features the defiling skeleton, the dust skeleton, and the spike skeleton. The dust skeleton and spike skeleton later appear in Monstrous Compendium Annual Four (1998), which also includes the obsidian skeleton.
The crystal skeleton appeared in Dragon Annual #2 (1997).
skeleton, the cloud giant
skeleton, the ettin
skeleton, the human warrior skeleton, the owlbear
skeleton, the troll
skeleton, the young adult red dragon
skeleton.
The skeletal dragon template appeared in Draconomicon: The Book of Dragons
(2003)
The fiery skeleton, the nimble skeleton, the soldier skeleton, and the vicious skeleton appeared in Libris Mortis: The Book of Undead
(2004). This book also featured a number of sample skeletons, including the athach
skeleton, the crocodile skeleton, the deinonychus skeleton, the dire badger skeleton, the dire bear skeleton, the dire rat skeleton, the elephant skeleton, the glabrezu
skeleton, the gnoll
warrior skeleton, the halfling
warrior skeleton, the heavy warhorse skeleton, the kobold
warrior skeleton, the minotaur
skeleton, the nine-headed hydra
skeleton, the ogre
skeleton, the roc
skeleton, and the tyrannosaurus skeleton.
The Strahd's skeletal steed appeared again in Dragon #359 (September 2007), the final print issue of Dragon
.
hosts a number of the variant skeletons listed above, as well as the following:
's sneak attack, they're immune to critical hits, but they're vulnerable to the cleric
's turn undead power." They also thank Ray Harryhausen
for people knowing what fighting skeletons ought to look like.
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
roleplaying game, the skeleton is an undead
Undead (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, undead is a classification of monsters that can be encountered by player characters. Undead creatures are most often once-living creatures, which have been animated by spiritual or supernatural forces....
creature, usually created by applying a template to another creature.
Dungeons & Dragons (1974–1976)
The skeleton was one of the first monsters introduced in the earliest edition of the game, in the Dungeons & Dragons "white box" setDungeons & Dragons (1974)
The original Dungeons & Dragons boxed set by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson was published by TSR, Inc. in 1974. It initially included the original edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
(1974), where they were described as acting under the instructions of their motivator, usually a magic-user
Wizard (Dungeons & Dragons)
The wizard is one of the standard character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A wizard uses arcane magic, and is considered less effective in melee combat than other classes.-Creative origins:...
or cleric
Cleric (Dungeons & Dragons)
The cleric is one of the standard playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. In the game, clerics are versatile figures, both capable in combat and skilled in the use of divine magic. Clerics are powerful healers due to the large number of healing and curative...
of chaotic alignment.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977–1988)
The skeleton appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), where it is described as a magically animated undead monster enchanted by a powerful magic-user or cleric of evil alignment.The animal skeleton was introduced in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#66 (October 1982) in the "Creature Features" column by Gary Gygax
Gary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
, and soon after appeared in Monster Manual II (1983).
Several skeleton variants appear in Dragon #138, in Tom Moldvay
Tom Moldvay
Tom Moldvay was a game designer and author most notable for his work on early materials for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons .-Career:...
's article "The Ungrateful Dead" (October 1988), including the bloody bones, the dry bones, the gem eyes, the shock bones, and the skleros.
Dungeons & Dragons (1977–1999)
This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the skeleton, in the Dungeons & Dragons Basic SetDungeons & Dragons Basic Set
The original Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set boxed set was first published by TSR, Inc. in 1977, and comprised a separate edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, distinct from the first edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game, which was initially published in the same...
(1977, 1981, 1983). The skeleton was also later featured in the Dungeons & Dragons Game
Dungeons & Dragons Game (1991 boxed set)
The New Easy to Master Dungeons & Dragons Game is an accessory for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published in 1991....
set (1991), the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991), the Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1994), and the Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game set (1999).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989–1999)
The skeleton and animal skeleton appear first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), which also introduces the monster skeleton. All three are reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).The Strahd skeleton for the Ravenloft
Ravenloft
Ravenloft is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. It is an alternate time-space existence known as a pocket dimension called the Demiplane of Dread, which consists of a collection of land pieces called domains brought together by a mysterious force known only as "The Dark...
setting appeared in the Ravenloft: Realm of Terror
Ravenloft: Realm of Terror
Ravenloft: Realm of Terror is a boxed set accessory published in 1990 for the Ravenloft campaign setting for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Contents:...
boxed set (1990), and later appeared in Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium Appendix III: Creatures of Darkness (1994). The giant skeleton was introduced in Monstrous Compendium Ravenloft Appendix (1991), and later appeared in the Monstrous Manual (1993). The Strahd's skeletal steed also first appeared in Monstrous Compendium Ravenloft Appendix (1991). Several new skeleton variants appeared in Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium Appendix III: Creatures of Darkness (1994), including the archer skeleton, the insectoid (giant ant, giant tick, stag beetle), the skeletal cat, and the skeletal hound.
The skeleton undead dragon appears in Dragon #234 (October 1996), which later appeared in Cult of the Dragon (1998). In the same issue of Dragon, the "Dragon's Bestiary column features the defiling skeleton, the dust skeleton, and the spike skeleton. The dust skeleton and spike skeleton later appear in Monstrous Compendium Annual Four (1998), which also includes the obsidian skeleton.
The crystal skeleton appeared in Dragon Annual #2 (1997).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000–2002)
The skeleton appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000). Described are skeletons of several size categories, including tiny, small, medium-size, large, huge, gargantuan, huge, and colossal.Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003–2007)
The skeleton appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003), as a template. This book also featured a number of sample skeletons, including the advanced megaraptor skeleton, the chimeraChimera (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the chimera is a large magical beast that appears to be an amalgam of several different creatures...
skeleton, the cloud giant
Giant (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, giant is a type of creature, or "creature type." Giants are humanoid-shaped creatures of great strength and size.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
skeleton, the ettin
Ettin (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the Ettin is a giant-like creature. The creatures' name comes from the Anglicization of the Jötunn giants of Norse mythology.-Description:...
skeleton, the human warrior skeleton, the owlbear
Owlbear
The owlbear is a type of fictional monster for player characters to encounter in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.An owlbear is depicted as a cross between a bear and an owl, which "hugs" like a bear and attacks with its beak, and was considered a magical beast in the game's third...
skeleton, the troll
Troll (Dungeons & Dragons)
Trolls are fictional monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Dungeon Masters can use them as enemies or allies of the player characters.-Publication history:...
skeleton, the young adult red dragon
Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game , dragons are an iconic type of monstrous creature used as adversaries or, less commonly, allies of player characters...
skeleton.
The skeletal dragon template appeared in Draconomicon: The Book of Dragons
Draconomicon
The Draconomicon is an optional sourcebook for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, providing supplementary game material focusing on dragons. Different versions of the Draconomicon have been printed for different editions of Dungeons & Dragons...
(2003)
The fiery skeleton, the nimble skeleton, the soldier skeleton, and the vicious skeleton appeared in Libris Mortis: The Book of Undead
Libris Mortis
Libris Mortis: The Book of Undead is a book which is an official supplement for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game...
(2004). This book also featured a number of sample skeletons, including the athach
Athach
In the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, an athach is a giant-like aberration.-Publication history:The athach first appeared in the Dungeons & Dragons Master Rules set...
skeleton, the crocodile skeleton, the deinonychus skeleton, the dire badger skeleton, the dire bear skeleton, the dire rat skeleton, the elephant skeleton, the glabrezu
Glabrezu
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the glabrezu is one of the most powerful types of demon. In first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, glabrezu were known as type III demons...
skeleton, the gnoll
Gnoll
A gnoll or gnole is a fictional humanoid creature - a cross between a gnome and a troll. They first appeared in Lord Dunsany's story in The Book of Wonder: How Nuth Would Have Practised His Art upon the Gnoles and subsequently reappeared in Margaret St. Clair's, The Man Who Sold Rope to the Gnoles...
warrior skeleton, the halfling
Halfling
Halfling is another name for J. R. R. Tolkien's Hobbit which can be a fictional race sometimes found in fantasy novels and games. In many settings, they are similar to humans except about half the size. Dungeons & Dragons began using the name halfling as an alternative to hobbit for legal reasons...
warrior skeleton, the heavy warhorse skeleton, the kobold
Kobold (Dungeons & Dragons)
Kobolds are a fictional species featured in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Aggressive, xenophobic, yet industrious small humanoid creatures, kobolds are noted for their skill at building traps and preparing ambushes...
warrior skeleton, the minotaur
Minotaur (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, minotaurs are a race of monstrous humanoids, resembling bull-human hybrids. Many minotaurs worship the demon lord Baphomet.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
skeleton, the nine-headed hydra
Hydra (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the hydra is a reptilian magical beast that has anywhere from five to twelve heads.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
skeleton, the ogre
Ogre (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, ogres are a lesser race of giants, rather being simply large brutes with clubs. An aquatic subrace of ogres is known as "merrow." D&D ogres are also closely related to the race of ogre magi, a smarter race with blue skin and great magical abilities...
skeleton, the roc
Roc (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the roc is a gargantuan, eagle-like animal, based on an earlier creature from myth and fantasy also named the Roc.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
skeleton, and the tyrannosaurus skeleton.
The Strahd's skeletal steed appeared again in Dragon #359 (September 2007), the final print issue of Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
.
Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008–)
The skeleton appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008).Variant Skeletons
- Bone Creature – a skeleton that retains knowledge and skills it possessed in life
- Crystal Skeleton
- Dust Skeleton
- Fiery Skeleton – burns with neverending flames, it is immune to fire
- Frost Skeleton – is immune to cold and deals cold damage with its attacks
- Lightning Skeleton – is immune to electricity and deals electricity damage with its attacks
- Nimble Skeleton – more agile than standard skeletons and able to climb as fast as it can walk
- Obsidian Skeleton – also called defiling skeleton
- Skeletal Dragon – created from dragonsDragon (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game , dragons are an iconic type of monstrous creature used as adversaries or, less commonly, allies of player characters...
and retains some of their deadly abilities
- Skeleton WarriorSkeleton warriorSkeleton warriors are a common fictional monster archetype common in western fantasy literature, television, and video games. They consist of animated human skeletons with human weapons and armor such as swords and shields. Because they are already dead, skeleton warriors can be very difficult to...
- Soldier Skeleton – often arising from the sites of massive battles, these skeletons gain benefits when fighting cooperatively in groups
- Spike Skeleton
- Vicious Skeleton – able to rend flesh and deal horrific wounds with their claw attacks
Skeletons in the Forgotten Realms
FaerûnFaerûn
Faerûn is a fictional subcontinent, the primary setting of the Dungeons & Dragons world of Forgotten Realms. It is described at a relatively high level in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting from Wizards of the Coast, and various locales and aspects are described in more detail by separate...
hosts a number of the variant skeletons listed above, as well as the following:
- Baneguard – First developed by priests of BaneBane (god)Bane , is the god of hatred, fear, and tyranny and one of the main evil gods in the fictional Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting, Forgotten Realms....
, these skeletons can phase in and out and hurl bolts of magical energy.
- Blazing Bones – Fiery skeletal undead created when a spellcaster's contingency spell goes wrong, these rare undead can be found in Myth DrannorMyth DrannorMyth Drannor, formerly known as Cormanthor, the City of Song, is a fictional elven city in the Forgotten Realms world. It is located in the area called Cormanthyr.-Fictional history:...
.
- Direguard – Baneguards improved by the Red Wizards of Thay, these skeletons are wreathed in a shadowy field of force that functions as armor. They can also see invisible foes.
Critical reception
The skeleton was ranked second among the ten best low-level monsters by the authors of Dungeons & Dragons For Dummies. The authors state that the skeleton "introduces players to the special advantages and weaknesses of undead monsters; they're immune to the rogueRogue (Dungeons & Dragons)
The rogue or thief is one of the standard playable character class in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A rogue is a versatile character, capable of sneaky combat and nimble tricks...
's sneak attack, they're immune to critical hits, but they're vulnerable to the cleric
Cleric (Dungeons & Dragons)
The cleric is one of the standard playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. In the game, clerics are versatile figures, both capable in combat and skilled in the use of divine magic. Clerics are powerful healers due to the large number of healing and curative...
's turn undead power." They also thank Ray Harryhausen
Ray Harryhausen
Ray Harryhausen is an American film producer and special effects creator...
for people knowing what fighting skeletons ought to look like.
Additional reading
- Cook, David, et al. Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (TSR, 1989).
- Wyatt, JamesJames Wyatt (game designer)James Wyatt is a game designer and a former United Methodist minister. He works for Wizards of the Coast, where he has designed several award-winning supplements and adventures for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game...
, and Rob Heinsoo. Monstrous CompendiumMonstrous CompendiumThe Monstrous Compendium is a series of accessories for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Volumes:MC1 Monstrous Compendium, Volume One was published by TSR in 1989...
: Monsters of Faerun (Wizards of the Coast, 2001).