What Monsters are Immune to Poison? A Comprehensive Guide
The world of fantasy role-playing games, particularly Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e), is populated with a vast array of creatures, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. Among these, poison immunity stands out as a significant advantage. Understanding which monsters are immune to poison is crucial for players and Dungeon Masters alike. It affects combat tactics, encounter design, and the overall narrative. Let’s delve into the specifics of this powerful resistance.
In short, an astounding number of monsters in D&D 5e possess immunity to poison damage and the poisoned condition. The Monster Manual alone lists 95 creatures with complete poison immunity. This is a considerably larger number than those resistant to poison. This means a significant portion of encounters will render poison-based attacks and spells largely ineffective. Furthermore, many creatures beyond the Monster Manual, found in various sourcebooks, supplements and adventures possess this immunity.
Understanding Poison Immunity
What does it mean to be immune to poison?
When a creature is immune to poison, it means two things. Firstly, it takes no damage from any source of poison. Secondly, it cannot be affected by the poisoned condition. The poisoned condition causes a creature to have disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks. This combination makes it very hard to take down poison immune monsters with spells or weapons that deal poison damage. This includes spells like poison spray, attacks with poisoned weapons, and other similar effects.
Why are so many creatures immune?
The high number of poison-immune creatures might seem odd. The main reason is that many creatures classified as undead, constructs or being of an elemental nature are resistant to many physical effects, including poison. These types of creatures are often not susceptible to the same biological processes as living creatures. Therefore, poison, which often relies on disrupting biological functions, has no effect on them. Undead, for instance, are not alive, so their bodies cannot be affected by poisons. Constructs are not biological so poison does not effect them.
Specific Examples of Poison-Immune Monsters
Here are some examples of commonly encountered creatures immune to poison in D&D 5e. Please note that this list is not exhaustive, but rather provides a representative sample:
- Undead: Creatures such as ghasts, skeletons (including minotaur skeletons), zombies, and gnoll witherlings are almost universally immune to poison. They are immune to death effects, disease, mind-affecting effects, paralysis, poison, sleep, stun, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save.
- Constructs: Many constructs, which are artificial creations, are immune to poison.
- Dragons: Specifically, the green dragon wyrmling, as well as adult green dragons have poison immunity.
- Oozes: Various oozes and slimes often possess immunity to poison.
- Elementals: Some elementals have immunity to poison.
- Myconids: These fungal creatures are also immune to poison.
FAQ on Poison Immunity in D&D 5e
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding poison immunity in D&D 5e, which will provide a deeper understanding of this topic:
1. How many monsters are immune to poison in the Monster Manual?
In the Monster Manual alone, 95 monsters are listed as being immune to poison. This significant number underscores how important it is to be prepared for encounters where poison is ineffective.
2. What is the difference between poison immunity and poison resistance?
Poison immunity means a creature takes no damage from poison and is not affected by the poisoned condition. Poison resistance, on the other hand, means a creature takes half damage from poison and has advantage on saves against the poisoned condition. Resistance does not negate the poison effect it only mitigates it.
3. Are all undead immune to poison?
Most undead are immune to poison, but it’s important to check each creature’s stat block. However, it’s a safe assumption in most cases that any undead will be immune to poison.
4. Do racial resistances or immunities apply to poison?
Yes, several races have resistance or immunity to poison. For example, dwarves have resistance to poison damage and advantage on saving throws against poison, while certain variations of dragonborn also get resistance to poison. Some creatures, like the Yuan-Ti, have immunity to poison.
5. Does being immune to poison also grant immunity to disease?
While many creatures immune to poison are also immune to disease, these are separate immunities. Poison and disease are distinct effects in D&D 5e.
6. Does immunity to poison negate the poisoned condition?
Yes, immunity to poison does negate the poisoned condition alongside immunity to poison damage. This means no disadvantage on attack rolls or ability checks will apply.
7. If a creature is immune to poison, is it immune to the contagion spell if it is caused by poison?
No, the Contagion spell is a disease and therefore has no effect on an creature immune to poison. If a creature is immune to disease, this would nullify that effect.
8. Is there any way to overcome poison immunity?
There’s no general method to bypass poison immunity. It’s usually a static trait. Specific spells or abilities might temporarily nullify or circumvent immunities, but those are very rare exceptions.
9. Can cure wounds spells heal poison damage?
No, cure wounds and similar healing spells do not affect poison damage or the poisoned condition. Spells like Neutralize Poison are necessary to remove poison effects.
10. Does immunity to poison protect against the harm spell if negative damage would heal an undead?
Yes, immunity to poison only protects against poison. The Harm spell causes necrotic damage, so will still cause damage to a creature immune to poison. In addition, negative damage does heal undead so that part of the question has no relevance.
11. Are there any classes that gain poison immunity?
Yes, Monks become immune to poison and disease at level 10. In addition Paladins can instantly get rid of the poisoned condition with Lay on Hands.
12. Does a creature immune to poison resist fighting?
No, the concept of elemental or type effectiveness in games like Pokemon has no bearing in D&D 5e. Poison immunity and resistance are solely damage and condition related traits. The Fighting type does not resist Poison as you might expect it to in games like Pokemon.
13. Can you build poison resistance over time?
While the concept of mithridatism (gradually building resistance to poison) exists in real-world mythology and science, it’s not a standard mechanic in D&D 5e. Gaining poison resistance or immunity usually comes from racial traits, class features, magic items, or monster abilities.
14. Are werewolves immune to poison?
No, werewolves are not immune to poison in 5e. They are immune to damage from non-silvered weapons, but can still take damage from environmental factors like fire, poison, and drowning.
15. Do Steel-type Pokémon have poison immunity in D&D 5e?
No, Pokémon type interactions do not translate to D&D 5e. While it’s true that Steel-type Pokémon are immune to poison in the Pokémon games, they have no bearing on D&D 5e poison immunity mechanics.
Conclusion
Understanding which monsters are immune to poison is vital for any adventurer in the world of D&D 5e. With a significant number of creatures boasting this immunity, relying solely on poison-based attacks and spells can lead to unexpected defeats. Armed with this knowledge, players and DMs can navigate the challenges of the game with greater strategy and adaptability, making for a more dynamic and engaging experience. Always remember to check the monster’s stat block for confirmation on immunities and resistances. By doing this, you’ll be prepared for whatever challenges a Dungeon Master throws your way!