The Best DnD Monsters For A One-Shot

Not every person wants to be part of a year-long Dungeons & Dragons session. This is especially true for those first getting into the hobby. Most want a taste of what D&D is, not a full-course meal comprised of death-defying battles and heart-wrenching role-play. As such, one-shots have become the perfect gateway for new players.

Not only are one-shots good for getting people involved in D&D, but they’re also great for veteran players as it gives them a chance to mix things up with a new character. However, like any good session, a one-shot is only as good as the encounters. As such, using the right monster is crucial for running a successful one-shot. Out of the entirety of D&D’s menagerie of monsters, here are the best choices for your next one-shot.

Updated by Britt Poteet, February 8, 2025: Dungeons & Dragons continues to grow, and more people are being introduced to the game. This is especially true now, with the release of the 2024 ruleset and the 2025 Monster Manual. With the new manual in mind, we added some more monsters to help inspire your one-shots, particularly if you have newer players.

13

Chokers

Aside from being used as an introduction for new players or as a brief respite in between a long session, one-shots serve as a field test for new material. It could be something as simple as testing how a new class or item works or testing a monster that a DM hasn’t had the chance to use.

A choker is a prime example of a monster most DMs haven’t had the chance to use. As a CR 1 creature, most players would encounter a choker around the same level as a horde of goblins or a gnoll pack, both of which are far more common and popular encounters. With this said, a low-level one-shot would be the perfect chance to showcase this creature’s ambush tactics and unorthodox fighting tactics.

12

Vampires

Vampires are classic monsters, both in and out of D&D. From movies to books, vampires remain one of the most popular monsters in modern media. There have even been several adventures and modules written for D&D revolving around them. They are beguiling, graceful, deadly, and monstrous all in one, thus making them the perfect antagonist for any one-shot.

While using a vampire could be seen as unoriginal, the sheer amount of diversity that this monster can bring to a setting will make any story unique and interesting. Is there a vampire controlling an entire village? Is there a vampire stalking the streets at night and preying upon any who cross their path? Is there an entire coven hiding out in a town, treating the citizens like cattle to quench their thirst? The possibilities are endless.

11

Lamias

If there’s one thing that can bring a group together, it’s a common enemy. A big bad whose actions are so heinous that the party, regardless of their personal motivations, is compelled to come together and stop them. For a one-shot, it’s even more important to establish this enemy immediately, and the lamia is the best monster for this.

Lamia are hedonistic and tyrannical by nature and take pleasure in kidnapping innocent people to be used as slaves. This sickening practice is the perfect motivation for players to work together. Additionally, with the lamia’s constant entourage of jakalweres, players will have plenty of monsters to face.

10

Yeth Hounds

Some of the most popular modules in D&D involve a group venturing out and hunting a monster for glory and fame. These adventures are rather simplistic in terms of narrative, but they are perfect for getting someone used to the system as well as introducing obscure and underrated monsters, and you really can’t get more obscure than a yeth hound.

Yeth hounds are the evil hunting dogs of the fey. These ghoulish monsters take great pleasure in not only hunting but also in the fear they elicit from their prey. On top of all this, these creatures always have a master, like a hag or a vampire. This means that a simple hunt for one of these creatures can lead to an even bigger threat.

9

Mindflayer

Mind flayers are another great option for a D&D one-shot. As one of the more iconic monsters in the game, players in your one-shot should already be familiar with their concept.

Their main goal is to enslave other races and turn their populations into Illithids, just like them. The use of mind flayer tadpoles, as popularized in Baldur’s Gate 3, is a fairly straightforward threat and will bring your players together with a common enemy.

8

Dinosaurs

A lot of people don’t realize that when you see 5e stat blocks for dinosaurs, they typically aren’t homebrew. These creatures just don’t come up often, as they tend to only be found in isolated environments. Most adventures, homebrew or otherwise, tend to be in places like the Elemental Planes or the Nine Hells and thus avoid these creatures entirely.

While a DM could simply have their group travel through an area with these creatures, it wouldn’t have the same impact as an entire story devoted to them. With this in mind, centering a one-shot centered around finding dinosaurs or hunting them in a manner similar to Monster Hunter would definitely keep your table intrigued.

7

Kobolds

Even in a one-shot, populating your world is essential for making your game feel more real. This doesn’t just mean creating NPCs for your players to interact with. It also means creating enemies for your players. Sure, a one-shot can function with a single encounter, but this doesn’t give new players a feel for how combat works.

While not as common as goblins, kobolds provide the same type of challenge and can be found everywhere in the Material Plane. They are fairly easy to fight against, but their tactics make them a reasonable challenge that allows your players to learn the system and prepare for stronger foes.

6

Gnolls

Gnolls are a monstrous hyena-hybrid, raiding and scavenging across their territory as they seek more violence. Their aggressive, destructive nature makes them a strong monster choice for a D&D one-shot.

Making a pack of gnolls attack a low-level village is a great way to introduce these monsters into your one-shot so players can quickly get into combat, especially if you include beginner players not used to the mechanics.

5

Displacer Beasts

While hunting for sport is a common hook for a one-shot, sometimes your players will want a more heroic one. It’s to be expected as many play D&D to play as a hero. So, why not give them the chance to be heroes? You could allow them to save a struggling village from a supernatural threat, and the perfect monster for this has to be a displacer beast.

These creatures have merciless hunting tactics and have a tendency to hunt even when not hungry. In addition, they have an ability that makes them difficult to hit with attacks, meaning most hunters have no chance against them. They are definitely the type to terrorize a village and are strong enough to give players an enjoyable challenge.

4

Harpies

Harpies are classic D&D monsters. Similar to sirens, they use their voice to lure people into their clutches with a song. Players will have to fight off their magical melodies by succeeding in a Saving Throw or risk being lured closer to the creature.

If you want a lower-stakes way to introduce magic and charms to your one-shot, harpies are the monster to go with.

3

Hags

Hags are yet another creature that can appear in almost any setting. These creatures are the D&D equivalent of the classic witch, complete with rituals, potion-making, and spells. Including a hag in your next one-shot would not only give your players the chance to go against a magic user, but it also opens the door for RP moments.

Every type of hag enjoys manipulating wayward travelers and enticing virtuous adventurers with promises of power or items. Encountering one of these creatures could easily be a point of interest for a group, as they could be given the choice of making a deal with a coven or eradicating them.

2

Dragons

Dragons are a staple for D&D. It’s in the name, after all, and they check off all the boxes for a good antagonist for a one-shot. They could be the target for a hunting mission. They could be terrorizing a small town or village. They could even serve as a tyrannical dictator who rules over a kingdom that the party must face.

Additionally, there are so many different types of dragons that you could easily find one to fit any scenario for almost any level adventuring group. Dragons may be one of the most overused monsters in the Monster Manual, but there’s a good reason why they’re so popular.

1

The Tarrasque

If you’re familiar with D&D, then you have most likely heard of the tarrasque in some sense. They are often revered as the strongest monster in the Monster Manual, and for good reason. With a whopping CR of 30, the tarrasque is a creature of pure destruction, deadly enough to have been indoctrinated in several religions. It is the definition of an end-game boss, so why would it be good for a one-shot?

Many see one-shots as a good way to have new players try out the game, but they can just as well be used for experienced players. Most campaigns end long before a party reaches level 20, and thus, they don’t become strong enough to face high-level threats like the tarrasque. As such, a one-shot is a perfect opportunity to face down this creature.