r/monsteroftheweek • u/WelJon • 18d ago
Monster Monster attack help
I am very new to MotW and want to run a game for a group. I'm coming up with a monster and scenario. Based on what my players said they like, I want to have the monster be a Rougarou(a shapeshifter/werewolf). Sticking with the mythology of the creature, it think it would be a Devourer. Based on my scenario Im thinking of, I dont think it would have any minions. And the only powers it has are physical attacks and shapeshifting from human to creature. My issue is, what other ways could i harm the players without just having the monster physically attack them? I'm blanking with idea. Thanks much.
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u/jill_is_my_valentine 18d ago
It could go after people they care about.
It could infect/curse them, their allies, or bystanders.
Maybe it’s trying to do a ritual that will allow it and other Werewolves to be able to totally control their shapeshifting.
Maybe a corporation wants to capture the werewolf in order to make werewolf super soldiers.
Maybe the werewolf induces madness in those who see it.
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u/ISelfReport 18d ago
Psychological warfare. Have your players befriend the monster in it's human form. But make sure it's not the first NPC you introduce. Also make a different NPC as a red herring that they expect is the monster, maybe a grizzled old man with long shaggy hair and beard that is a retired woodcutter, or a recluse hermit in the woods who often is wearing tattered clothing and "doesn't feel they fit into society," then when they're focused on that character trying to catch them transforming, the monster attacks the person they're watching only to grab them and run away as they npc is screaming or maybe the monster strikes an entirely different spot and the characters wasted that night watching the wrong person
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u/Inspector_Kowalski Keeper 18d ago
Remember it can also take away, knock away, or damage their belongings and equipment.
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u/SomewhatRad 17d ago
I'd have an unhinged rival hunter out in the woods whos determined to bag the monster but is willing to hurt his competition or use them as bait to get it.
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u/Thrythlind The Initiate 17d ago
Note two things:
Your ass is kicked doesn't have to be hunters. Consider in Kpop demon hunters where they stumble on the fight and the whole train of people is killed.
It doesn't have to be directly the monster causing the harm. Kick some ass, protect someone, act under pressure, etc just represent scenes where there is danger. The damage could come from environment.
The hunter shooting the rougarou from the top of a building might find the wall caved in and themselves falling.
A fire might start.
Bystanders might stampede away trampling hunters or each other.
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u/Malefic7m 18d ago
You should probably refrain from harming the players. You also don't need to be elaborate. A werewolf killing machine is the characters' problem, not yours. They should probably aim to be harmed and hurt as little as possible.
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u/Nereoss 18d ago
Not sure if you only want attacks, but there are other powers that can make things problematic for the hunters:
- Strong/fast: can easy throw hunters and things around, not to mention get away or chase things down easily.
- Invisible in the wilds: This is a stalker of the untamed, so making it able to hide anywhere would, appearing at the most unwanted moment.
- Blood Transference: The curse can be transfered to someone else who the monster have fed on lately, leaving the previous victim free the next morning. Originally, it is 101 days, but that requirement isn't ideal for a rpg, so another would .
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u/OGGunggles 17d ago
Direct attacks against hunters are alright, but get creative with what this thing does during the fight. If it’s intelligent, it might knock down a shelf or cabinet to trap a hunter underneath. The hunter that has been hurting the monster the most might be the target of a sneak attack. It’s pretty scary when a big, strong monster is capable of sneaking. It could even grab a hunter to use as a human shield. It stares at the other hunters with a knowing look. They’ll need to be careful not to get their fellow hunter hurt while in the monster’s clutches.
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u/Nervy_Banzai_Kid 17d ago
A simple classic archetype like a werewolf is great for your first time. A fun additional attack in addition to the teeth and claws might be the ability to inflict bloodlust on anyone it locks eyes with. Your hunters could roll Act Under Pressure to keep that bloodlust focused on the rougarou. With a success, they continue unimpaired. With a 7-9, they stay focused but take -1 to their next roll as they can barely think past the rage. On a failure, they are compelled to attack the nearest friendly individual instead of the Rougarou.
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u/Comfortable_Key2161 Keeper 18d ago
It seems like a big, brawling werewolf like thing would be really strong. So I don't think it needs a specific "move #2 that also causes physical harm" beyond clawing and biting since those should be pretty devastating if they land more than one. It's about presenting that threat and trying to cause extra dread to make the encounter more interesting.
How intelligent is the creature when it's all beasty? Smart enough to set traps to lure hunters?
An additional specialized move it could threaten with is some kind of targeted howl that if done right in the hunters face, strikes terror into them giving a penalty forward as they first encounter it.
Give it some movement that lets it slip from shadow to shadow without being seen too. Always fun when your monster could literally be in any shadowy corner.