Alt-art for D&D creatures...

[Nanoblack]

As wonderful () 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

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[Aron Times]

That's from the 4e Monster Manual, actually. 4e has much better art overall than 3.5.

[Crossblade]

Pathfinder also has better art than 3.5's Monster Manual.

[dsmiles]

Okay, I'll bite.

Here's one of my favorites, the Duergar:

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[Nanoblack]

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]

Ityak Ortheel. AKA Elf Eater. Big Eldritch abomination from 1st edition.

http://dyspezzia.deviantart.com/gall...736752#/do5cb3

[dsmiles]

How about this one:

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[Psyren]

That's from the 4e Monster Manual, actually. 4e has much better art overall than 3.5.

Seconded wholeheartedly.

3.5 Lamia:

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4e Lamia:

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[Aron Times]

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]

Seconded wholeheartedly.

3.5 Lamia:

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4e Lamia:

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

[Kaun]

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]

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)

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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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Beholder:

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Gelatinous Cube (not really Alt Art but still):

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Owlbear:

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