Usually I break monsters and opponents into two categories, solitary opponents and clans, packs or gangs. Sometimes Dungeon Masters choose tougher solitary opponents more frequently than packs or gangs. (myself included) Many times the more solitary opponents have really cool characteristics, attacks, and feats that draw attention. While both provide challenges, having a pack or gang can allow for a different type of battle and challenge.

There are a multitude of monsters that I would consider primarily being part of a pack or gang:

• Orc
• Goblin
• Drow
• Kenku
• Bullywug
• Kobolds
• Sahuagin
• Skeleton
• Troll
• Troglodyte
• The list goes on and on

There are two aspects of pack or gang opponents that I find particularly fun exploring and running:

1. Multiple battle phases – Usually with more solitary monsters there is the initial encounter and then the battle focuses on resolving that encounter. With packs or gangs there are more opportunities to continue to add opponents in subsequent rounds to add additional complexity and challenge. Just when the party thinks they have the battle in hand, 8 more Drow Temple Guards come to the aid of their gang.
2. Role play – packs or gangs provide the opportunity to create memorable characters and strife within the packs or gangs. They are provide opportunity to role play with names, titles, accents and mannerisms that provide endless hours of fun. I particularly like to act out the mannerisms and accents of Kenkus, Gnolls, and Bullywugs. I encourage you to add these pack or gang opponents and take the time to create individual characters and conflict within the packs or gangs. There are endless opportunities for decisions and personal agency for characters interacting with these packs or gangs.

Finally, I would encourage you to investigate the special attacks and features of these pack or gang monsters and have fun with them. I played a halfling in one game and I was constantly entertained and frustrated by being grappled and swallowed by Bullywugs over and over and over…