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Nanoblack
2010-11-21, 07:42 PM
As wonderful (:smallwink:) as the art in the monster manual is, I feel that most other renditions are better than what WotC commissioned...

And with that i'll start this off with a classic: The Otyugh
http://www.madeofawesome.net/images/uploads/Otyugh.jpg

Aron Times
2010-11-21, 07:49 PM
That's from the 4e Monster Manual, actually. 4e has much better art overall than 3.5.

Crossblade
2010-11-21, 07:56 PM
Pathfinder also has better art than 3.5's Monster Manual.

dsmiles
2010-11-21, 08:00 PM
Okay, I'll bite.

Here's one of my favorites, the Duergar:
http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/221/9/6/Duergar_Hedge_Mage_by_DaveAllsop.jpg

Nanoblack
2010-11-21, 08:04 PM
That's from the 4e Monster Manual, actually. 4e has much better art overall than 3.5.

Really? Oh man, that's enlightening seeing as I've never given 4e a chance. Well I suppose I'll try to find a replacement then...

Beelzebub1111
2010-11-21, 08:05 PM
Ityak Ortheel. AKA Elf Eater. Big Eldritch abomination from 1st edition.

http://dyspezzia.deviantart.com/gallery/26736752#/do5cb3

dsmiles
2010-11-21, 08:09 PM
How about this one:
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk205/PathfinderPath/monstruos/monsOtyugh_400.jpg

Psyren
2010-11-21, 08:17 PM
That's from the 4e Monster Manual, actually. 4e has much better art overall than 3.5.

Seconded wholeheartedly.

3.5 Lamia:

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG164b.jpg

4e Lamia:

http://www.headinjurytheater.com/dnd%20lamia%20new.jpg

Aron Times
2010-11-21, 10:45 PM
Really? Oh man, that's enlightening seeing as I've never given 4e a chance. Well I suppose I'll try to find a replacement then...
4e has much better mechanics in addition to its improved art. Good fluff is a dime a dozen but good crunch is hard to come by. With a little suspension of disbelief, you can port whatever fluff you prefer to 4e and have it work because it's inherently balanced.

Once you get past the haters' hyperbole, you'll find that it's not that bad; quite good, actually.

Blue Ghost
2010-11-21, 11:11 PM
Seconded wholeheartedly.

3.5 Lamia:

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG164b.jpg

4e Lamia:

http://www.headinjurytheater.com/dnd%20lamia%20new.jpg

Except the Lamia is a completely different creature in 4e.

Kaun
2010-11-21, 11:20 PM
4e has much better mechanics in addition to its improved art. Good fluff is a dime a dozen but good crunch is hard to come by. With a little suspension of disbelief, you can port whatever fluff you prefer to 4e and have it work because it's inherently balanced.

Once you get past the haters' hyperbole, you'll find that it's not that bad; quite good, actually.

*Puts on sun glasses and steps behind lead sheilding*

Cealocanth
2010-11-21, 11:29 PM
4e has much better mechanics in addition to its improved art. Good fluff is a dime a dozen but good crunch is hard to come by. With a little suspension of disbelief, you can port whatever fluff you prefer to 4e and have it work because it's inherently balanced.

Once you get past the haters' hyperbole, you'll find that it's not that bad; quite good, actually.

Which is exactly why I was able to incorporate a whole bunch of random things like Mutations, Raiders (Mutated outcasts of the Black Wastes), and Astralite (Radioactive magic crystal)

________________________

Now I'm not the most learned with 3.5 I'll admit, but just looking at the pictures, I prefer 4e art over most 3.5. Now there are a few exceptions...

Psyren
2010-11-21, 11:41 PM
Except the Lamia is a completely different creature in 4e.

So they gave it an overhaul. The name's the same, that's what matters.

Innis Cabal
2010-11-21, 11:55 PM
No it's not. They're two completely different creatures so saying the art is better or worse is like saying an orange is better then an apple but hey their both fruit so that's what counts.

Not to mention the 4th Ed monster -isn't- a Lamia regardless of name.

RebelRogue
2010-11-22, 12:02 AM
No it's not. They're two completely different creatures so saying the art is better or worse is like saying an orange is better then an apple but hey their both fruit so that's what counts.

Not to mention the 4th Ed monster -isn't- a Lamia regardless of name.
Agreed, that it's not a '3.5 lamia', but since the term lamia has been applied to various evil, (always female?) creatures through time, why not?

Psyren
2010-11-22, 12:09 AM
No it's not. They're two completely different creatures so saying the art is better or worse is like saying an orange is better then an apple but hey their both fruit so that's what counts.

Not to mention the 4th Ed monster -isn't- a Lamia regardless of name.

WotC kept the name, they must have seen some parallel. Take it up with them, not me. *Shrug*

Tvtyrant
2010-11-22, 12:14 AM
Except the Lamia is a completely different creature in 4e.

And the 3.5 one should have been a Yuan-ti. I don't see your reason for objecting; we now have a creepy monster instead of a liontaur.

Tiki Snakes
2010-11-22, 12:18 AM
WotC kept the name, they must have seen some parallel. Take it up with them, not me. *Shrug*

Well, given that the fluff in the MM reguarding Lamia goes as far as them 'being evil', 'causing suffering' and targeting good people specifically, I'm guessing that the reason they have a Lamia in 4e has nothing at all to do with 3.5's lamia as much as the mythological Lamia.

And a shapeshifting, seductress swarm of evil insects feels a lot closer to the myth and the poetry than a race of supposedly attractive cat-centaurs.

Fhaolan
2010-11-22, 01:18 AM
Lamia is one of those monsters that has changed significantly over time. The lioness version is from 15th century bestiaries, the serpent version is from Greek poets that confused the character with Sybaris (one of many 'drakaina' which are dragons with women's faces). She also got succubus-like stuff added to her by some Roman authors. Supposedly the original Lamia was yet another woman who Zeus did the dirty with, and Hera did the cursing on... again. In this case Lamia started eating children and gained a hidious face.

So, really, it's just a name for another child-eating demon. Everything else is added on fluff.

Shademan
2010-11-22, 01:31 AM
That's from the 4e Monster Manual, actually. 4e has much better art overall than 3.5.

if you like the style.
personally, I do not like its portrayal of player characters

Hironomus
2010-11-22, 01:35 AM
if you like the style.
personally, I do not like its portrayal of player characters

I agree. The creatures are basically the same but abit cooler. But the character portraits are just... too polished. And sparkly. It has always reminded me of World of Warcraft. really cartoony and exagerated.

Shademan
2010-11-22, 01:38 AM
I agree. The creatures are basically the same but abit cooler. But the character portraits are just... too polished. And sparkly. It has always reminded me of World of Warcraft. really cartoony and exagerated.

exactly. they dont look like dungeon-raiding adventurers. they look like... game characters

Psyren
2010-11-22, 01:40 AM
I love that polish. The races, the classes, everything looked so epic and dynamic it made me want to roll up characters right there.

What I don't like is the amount of art that got reused. Lazy!

Hironomus
2010-11-22, 01:41 AM
I love that polish. The races, the classes, everything looked so epic and dynamic it made me want to roll up characters right there.

What I don't like is the amount of art that got reused. Lazy!

Yeah i guess thats the problem I have. It looks too epic, even the supposedly low level things. thats just my not my preference I guess.

Fishy
2010-11-22, 03:39 AM
Yeah i guess thats the problem I have. It looks too epic, even the supposedly low level things. thats just my not my preference I guess.

Are you the reason for all those RPGs that start at level 1 fighting rats in a basement?

Hironomus
2010-11-22, 03:41 AM
Are you the reason for all those RPGs that start at level 1 fighting rats in a basement?

Hahaha. I do like low level campaigns... and rats. But even at high levels I like to play a person, not a big damn hero.

Shademan
2010-11-22, 03:45 AM
Hahaha. I do like low level campaigns... and rats. But even at high levels I like to play a person, not a big damn hero.

big damn heroes are fine, as long as theyre not Smackjoy the statblock paladin

Hironomus
2010-11-22, 04:19 AM
big damn heroes are fine, as long as theyre not Smackjoy the statblock paladin

Who?

But no! this is derailment! its supposed to be about the pictures! I'm leaving I swear.

Shademan
2010-11-22, 04:27 AM
Who?

But no! this is derailment! its supposed to be about the pictures! I'm leaving I swear.

just expressing my dislike for cardboard cutouts.

yes, back on topic. I quite liked to read up on the MM descriptions of monsters then draw what I imagined. 'course if I had the SRD back in those days I could have done it without getting an involunterly look at the beastie...

Kobold-Bard
2010-11-22, 06:28 AM
Beholder:
http://www.mikerayhawk.com/images/beholder.jpg

Gelatinous Cube (not really Alt Art but still):
http://www.artistxerocreations.com/images/Gelatinous_Cube.jpg

Owlbear:
http://owlbear.com/images/owlbear.gif

Amiel
2010-11-22, 06:29 AM
Beholder:
http://www.mikerayhawk.com/images/beholder.jpg

That is disturbing.

AslanCross
2010-11-22, 06:58 AM
That is disturbing.

It's an aberration. It should be disturbing.

Kaww
2010-11-22, 06:59 AM
It's an aberration. It should be disturbing.

Quote for truth.

Amiel
2010-11-22, 07:02 AM
It's an aberration. It should be disturbing.

I find the image of the beholder to be rather blase actually; on the other hand, that previous image evokes horror in me. Maybe it's the sickening cute colours or the Hello Kitty-crossed with Cthulhu-esque expression.

AslanCross
2010-11-22, 07:20 AM
I find the image of the beholder to be rather blase actually; on the other hand, that previous image evokes horror in me. Maybe it's the sickening cute colours or the Hello Kitty-crossed with Cthulhu-esque expression.


Okay, I'll grant that. I wonder what kind of eye rays those beholders shoot, though. I do find the beholder rather...cute, actually.

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/lom_gallery/88132.jpg

Look at them smile!

Kobold-Bard
2010-11-22, 07:26 AM
Deviantart to the rescue!!

Mind Flayer:
http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs37/f/2008/287/7/3/73518779d4627e693b0d71c23a1e31b6.jpg
by inaliak

http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs14/f/2007/085/f/3/The_Illimote_Attacks_by_Trollesque.gif
by Trollesque

Couatl:
http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs38/i/2008/336/2/1/Couatl_by_Stacialune.jpg
by Stacialune

Pseudodragon:
http://th06.deviantart.net/fs7/PRE/i/2005/269/1/8/Dan__s_Pseudodragon_by_d4rk1n.jpg
by d4rk1n

Satyr:
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/192/e/d/God_of_War_III__Satyr_by_andyparkart.jpg
by andyparkart

Amiel
2010-11-22, 07:27 AM
A challenger appears;
http://i.somethingawful.com/u/elpintogrande/september10/wtfcontest/katie_beholder_big.jpg

Kobold-Bard
2010-11-22, 07:32 AM
A challenger appears;
http://i.somethingawful.com/u/elpintogrande/september10/wtfcontest/katie_beholder_big.jpg

I actually really like that.

RebelRogue
2010-11-22, 07:36 AM
Well, given that the fluff in the MM reguarding Lamia goes as far as them 'being evil', 'causing suffering' and targeting good people specifically, I'm guessing that the reason they have a Lamia in 4e has nothing at all to do with 3.5's lamia as much as the mythological Lamia.

And a shapeshifting, seductress swarm of evil insects feels a lot closer to the myth and the poetry than a race of supposedly attractive cat-centaurs.
I was pretty sure it was something along those lines. Thanks for that :smallcool:


A challenger appears;
http://i.somethingawful.com/u/elpintogrande/september10/wtfcontest/katie_beholder_big.jpg
Somehow, that reminds me of Carrot from FFXII (this one is cuter, though).

dsmiles
2010-11-22, 07:52 AM
A challenger appears;
http://i.somethingawful.com/u/elpintogrande/september10/wtfcontest/katie_beholder_big.jpg CAN'T UNSEE!!!! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?!?!? :smalleek:

Darwin
2010-11-22, 07:55 AM
This thread needs more Troglodytes:

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/8762/troglodyte.jpg

dsmiles
2010-11-22, 08:12 AM
This thread needs more Troglodytes:
Really? All I get for troglodytes is typical DnD images and this:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Troglodyte-sylvain_haye.jpg

Here's a classic, though. Dragons:
http://www.chrisachilleos.co.uk/main/gallerie/others/images/stgeorge_dragon.jpg
http://www.totalwallpapers.com/fantasy/wallpapers/green-dragon.jpg
http://fc07.deviantart.com/fs8/i/2005/293/4/5/dragon_hurlant_by_rinpoo_chuang.jpg
http://i716.photobucket.com/albums/ww170/aexiles/Purple_Dragon_by_deligaris.jpg
http://neondragonart.com/Art/archive_selectart/dragonswirl.jpg

Eldan
2010-11-22, 08:12 AM
Satyr:
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/192/e/d/God_of_War_III__Satyr_by_andyparkart.jpg
by andyparkart

How is that supposed to seduce women?

Kaww
2010-11-22, 08:12 AM
@ Kobold-bard: I love the Couatl pic!

Amiel
2010-11-22, 08:13 AM
What is seen cannot be unseen :smallbiggrin:


How is that supposed to seduce women?

Plot exposition? :smalltongue:

dsmiles
2010-11-22, 08:13 AM
How is that supposed to seduce women?

Maybe it can lick it's eyebrows?

Kobold-Bard
2010-11-22, 08:17 AM
This thread needs more Troglodytes:

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/8762/troglodyte.jpg
That looks like 4e art again. Don't play it so can't be sure though.


How is that supposed to seduce women?

They target fetishists; people like Tsukiko.

--------------------
Kobolds:
http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs28/f/2008/052/1/f/Kobold_Kommando_2_by_CommissarKinyaf.jpg
by Kommisar Kinyaf on Deviantart

http://th01.deviantart.com/fs10/300W/i/2006/083/f/2/Kobold_Soldier_by_CommissarKinyaf.jpg

Tetsubo 57
2010-11-22, 08:18 AM
*Puts on sun glasses and steps behind lead sheilding*

It's over man... it's over...

Tetsubo 57
2010-11-22, 08:21 AM
How is that supposed to seduce women?

I've seen satyrs before and that was no satyr. It looks like a demon of some sort. Hasn't that artist ever heard of the word 'bucolic'?

Eldan
2010-11-22, 09:14 AM
Anyway. I've been saving some Planewalker art. There was more, but I can't find most of it...

Let's see:

Ethercap:
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/6748/mrclick.jpg

Modron:
http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/1093/nordomsdeathbydonfuflon.jpg

Unity of Rings:
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/1365/unityofringscoloredbyjo.jpg

Hordelings:
http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/8655/retchandvoop.jpg

I don't remember whether this is an erinnyes or a Succubus, really:
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/824/thewordtwisterbyjohndow.jpg

And Demogorgon:
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/8984/thebattleofabysmbyjohnd.jpg

Quietus
2010-11-22, 09:33 AM
Beholder:
http://www.mikerayhawk.com/images/beholder.jpg

That... you... what? Jesus, KB, what the hell XD


4e has much better mechanics in addition to its improved art. Good fluff is a dime a dozen but good crunch is hard to come by. With a little suspension of disbelief, you can port whatever fluff you prefer to 4e and have it work because it's inherently balanced.

Once you get past the haters' hyperbole, you'll find that it's not that bad; quite good, actually.

I wouldn't say better or worse mechanics - just very different. It's to some people's tastes, but I'd rather stick to 3.5, myself. For all its foibles, it feels more fluid to me, and I feel 3.5, with all its various splat books and character options, allows me to describe a character better with regard to who they *are*, as opposed to what they *do*. Admittedly, my experience with 4e is pretty brief, but what I did read, the fluff was pretty bare.

Oddly, I tend to strip the fluff from things in 3.5 anyway.. but I like having that baseline of "This is what this is intended to be", even if I'm going to turn it into something entirely different.

dsmiles
2010-11-22, 10:42 AM
Ethercap:
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/6748/mrclick.jpgI love this. Jack the Ripper as an Ettercap. :smallbiggrin:

Janus
2010-11-22, 11:07 AM
Look at them smile!
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/Janus3003/awesomebeholder.jpg
I've always been a fan of the spectator beholder. Basically, they're true neutral (I think) beings that are summoned to watch an item for 101 years. 2e describes them as being very amiable and talkative. For some reason, I always imagine them like the picture I just posted.
Just imagine if you houseruled that they could watch people as well. Waking up to see a beholder hovering above you...

grimbold
2010-11-22, 11:23 AM
Beholder:
http://www.mikerayhawk.com/images/beholder.jpg

Gelatinous Cube (not really Alt Art but still):
http://www.artistxerocreations.com/images/Gelatinous_Cube.jpg

Owlbear:
http://owlbear.com/images/owlbear.gif

all 3 made me laugh out loud. They are pretty brilliant.

the duergar was fantastic
source plz?

dsmiles
2010-11-22, 11:28 AM
the duergar was fantastic
source plz?

My Google-fu found it here:
http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/221/9/6/Duergar_Hedge_Mage_by_DaveAllsop.jpg

BRC
2010-11-22, 11:35 AM
That looks like 4e art again. Don't play it so can't be sure though.



They target fetishists; people like Tsukiko.

--------------------
Kobolds:
http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs28/f/2008/052/1/f/Kobold_Kommando_2_by_CommissarKinyaf.jpg
by Kommisar Kinyaf on Deviantart

http://th01.deviantart.com/fs10/300W/i/2006/083/f/2/Kobold_Soldier_by_CommissarKinyaf.jpg
Heh, I have a habit of making Kobolds my setting's designated Supertinkers, rather than Gnomes. The last campaign I ran, Kobolds lived in an advanced Rapture-esque city under the sea. Lizardfolk were a vat-grown slave race they used for heavy lifting. I refluffed Eldrich Blasts into bursts of Machine Gun Fire to simulate a Kobold Kommando team

Gorgondantess
2010-11-22, 11:44 AM
I don't remember whether this is an erinnyes or a Succubus, really:
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/824/thewordtwisterbyjohndow.jpg

Erinyes. Succubi have bat wings, Erinyes have black feathery wings- this is because Erinyes are fallen angels, while succubi are pure demon.
Of course, the artist technically could've been just taking artistic license.

@Kobold Bard: I love your pictures. Those are amazing. Especially the commando kobolds- makes me want to start a campaign....:smalltongue:

Galthromir
2010-11-22, 11:51 AM
I've always been a fan of the spectator beholder. Basically, they're true neutral (I think) beings that are summoned to watch an item for 101 years. 2e describes them as being very amiable and talkative. For some reason, I always imagine them like the picture I just posted.
Just imagine if you houseruled that they could watch people as well. Waking up to see a beholder hovering above you...

I loved the Spectator in Baldur's Gate 2, he seemed so....chill. At least as much as beholders can be chill.

Eldan
2010-11-22, 12:22 PM
I love this. Jack the Ripper as an Ettercap. :smallbiggrin:

Actually, he's a doctor. And in my game, I made him a mad scientist as well.


Erinyes. Succubi have bat wings, Erinyes have black feathery wings- this is because Erinyes are fallen angels, while succubi are pure demon.
Of course, the artist technically could've been just taking artistic license.


Good point. I didn't think of the wings.

dsmiles
2010-11-22, 12:26 PM
Actually, he's a doctor. Supposedly, so was Jack the Ripper. Food for thought.

Eldan
2010-11-22, 01:12 PM
Hmm. True, true. If he ever needs more suspects for his necromantic experiments, I'm sure he'll find a way. Though currently, he's still waiting for a lightning storm in Sigil, which will probably not happen.

Xefas
2010-11-22, 01:38 PM
I don't remember whether this is an erinnyes or a Succubus, really:
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/824/thewordtwisterbyjohndow.jpg

This is actually neither a Erinyes or a Succubus. It is Mysdemn Wordtwister. She is essentially the leader of Hell's legal department. I think she also runs an Infernal Law School on the 7th Layer.

Eldan
2010-11-22, 02:06 PM
Oh, right. I actually didn't remember where I had it from, only that it was in my folder entitled "Planewalkers." Thanks.

SilverClawShift
2010-11-22, 02:32 PM
Beholder:
http://www.mikerayhawk.com/images/beholder.jpg

That's utterly amazing.

It's not entirely wrong either (well, it's WRONG certainly, but not INCORRECT).

Since every beholder becomes slightly different, and each beholder thinks they're the one true beholder schematic, the possibility of such a monstrosity coming to be is entirely within the realm of possibility.

Now I can't decide if I should beg my DM to let me play a (scaled down, young, and weak) pink bowed beholder... or if I should take a round of DMing and run my group through a beholder nightmare :smallamused:

Kobold-Bard
2010-11-22, 02:37 PM
That's utterly amazing.

It's not entirely wrong either (well, it's WRONG certainly, but not INCORRECT).

Since every beholder becomes slightly different, and each beholder thinks they're the one true beholder schematic, the possibility of such a monstrosity coming to be is entirely within the realm of possibility.

Now I can't decide if I should beg my DM to let me play a (scaled down, young, and weak) pink bowed beholder... or if I should take a round of DMing and run my group through a beholder nightmare :smallamused:

Use the Oslecamo Monster Classes in the Homebrew section. Level 1-3 you're a cute, pink baby Beholder. 4-7 you're a moody emo teenager Beholder who uses their Charm Person Eye-Ray to get dates and wears eyeliner on all their eyes. 8-12 you become much more malicious (sharpening your teeth), showing off to the other Beholders and going along with the whole "racial purity" thing; even getting an eyeball tattoo (the Beholder version of a swastika) to fit in. Finally at Level 13 you become a true Beholder, learning to manipulate things from behind the scenes etc.

DarkEternal
2010-11-22, 02:45 PM
A few, most of which are taken from the Megami Tensei games which have an interesting approach to art styles:

Ogre:
http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080617064212/megamitensei/images/thumb/a/a7/Oni.jpg/429px-Oni.jpg

Griffon:
http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080803025706/megamitensei/images/thumb/0/0d/GriffonSMT.jpg/502px-GriffonSMT.jpg

Dwarf:
http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/169/3/6/Back_to_get_the_reward_by_chilin.jpg

Naga:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/Y05h1k3n/MegaTen%20Nocturne/Naga2.png

Succubus:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/Y05h1k3n/MegaTen%20Nocturne/Succubus2.png

Chimera:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/Y05h1k3n/MegaTen%20Nocturne/Chimera2.png

Pixie:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/Y05h1k3n/MegaTen%20Nocturne/Pixie2.jpg

Ooze:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/Y05h1k3n/MegaTen%20Nocturne/BlackOoze2.jpg

Basilisk:
http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100614141949/megamitensei/images/9/92/Basilisk.jpg

Angel:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/Y05h1k3n/MegaTen%20Nocturne/Angel2.png

Baal's avatar:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/Y05h1k3n/MegaTen%20Nocturne/BaalAvatar2.jpg