Step 6: Spells ¶

This step is only for monsters that use the spellcaster array. For monsters that know only a few spells (rather than being focused primarily on spellcasting), choose an array other than spellcaster and give the monster the secondary spellcasting universal option in Step 7.

The spell choices for a spellcaster monster are intentionally limited compared to those of a full NPC, since a monster created using the simple monster creation system is designed to have enough spells to last though a single battle or session. If a monster created this way ends up appearing in multiple sessions, you can swap out the spells each time, assuming that doing so fits the nature and theme of the monster.

The spells you choose for the monster during this step represent its total spellcasting arsenal for an encounter. If you want to treat some of the spells as being cast from scrolls, wands, or staves, implement them as such during play. Regardless of the source, additional spells still count against the total number the monster can cast.

You’ll also notice that some types of spells don’t appear on these lists—especially spells that solely increase statistics, such as bull’s strength, false life, and mage armor. That’s because such spells are often cast before combat, and the simple monster creation system assumes the effects of those spells are already in the monster’s base numbers.

Spell DCs: To determine the DC of a spell cast by a monster, add the spell’s level to the number listed in the spell DC column of the monster’s array. Use the spell’s cleric or sorcerer/wizard level if multiple classes can cast it. If neither of those classes has the spell, use the highest spell level listed in the spell’s description.

Choosing Spells ¶

The easiest way to choose spells for a monster is to select a spell list from among those on the following pages that best matches its theme, using the options in this chapter. A fey with powerful spell-like abilities might choose the enchantment, fey, nature, or trickery spell list. A wizard dedicated to flame might choose the fire spell list, a dedicated transmuter would likely pick the transmutation list, and a generalist might take the arcane or magic list.

When you choose a spell list, the monster gains the following sets of spells according to its CR band—the spellcasting range its CR falls into.

The primary spells of its CR band, usable once per day. These are the monster’s highest-level spells.
Both the primary and secondary spells of the CR band one step lower than its own CR band, usable three times per day. These account for the monster’s less potent spells.
The primary spells of the CR band two steps below its own, usable at will. These are the monster’s lowest-level spells.

This setup produces a spellcaster with a small number of powerful spells that it can use rarely, a larger number of weaker but still useful spells that it can use often, and spells so weak that it hardly ever uses them in battle but can use them frequently.

Note that a CR 0–3 monster doesn’t gain any at-will spells or any spells usable three times per day, and a CR 4–7 monster doesn’t gain any at-will spells.

Write down the spells and the number of times they can be used. For the sample monsters later in this chapter, the spells are separated into attack spells, defensive spells, and utility spells, but this step is optional.

When you pick a spell list, the monster automatically gains the benefit listed at the bottom of that spell list. If you choose to create your own spell list, choose the benefit that matches your monster best, or create your own benefit for that monster instead.

For example, a CR 9 monster using the aberrant spell list would gain feeblemind and spell resistance once per day each (from the 8–11 CR band); beast shape I, major image, acid arrow, and see invisibility three times per day each (from the 4–7 CR band); and cause fear and long arm usable at will (from the 0–3 CR band). It would also gain the spell list’s benefit: the fortification universal monster rule.

In-Depth Spell Choice ¶

These lists are arranged to facilitate maximum speed in choosing spells, but you can choose spells individually, give the monster secondary spells in place of primary spells (which is why the CR 16+ band lists secondary spells), or mix and match at your discretion. To keep your monster balanced, don’t deviate too far from the number of spells listed for its power level, though you can decrease or increase the number of spells within reason.

If you want to pick spells one by one, use the following spell levels for each CR band.

CR Band	Spell Level
0–3	0 or 1st
4–7	2nd or 3rd
8–11	4th or 5th
12–15	6th or 7th
16+	8th or 9th

Spell Lists ¶

The following lists are themed to different uses of magic, and also correspond to bloodlines, domains, and other prominent spell themes. For a monster with a class graft, use the graft’s suggested spell lists to help you choose the monster’s spells.

Aberrant Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Cause fear, long arm	Daze, silent image
4–7	beast shape I, major image	acid arrow, see invisibility
8–11	feeblemind, spell resistance	beast shape II, black tentacles
12–15	plane shift, project image	beast shape IV, veil
16+	Foresight, shapechange	mind blank, polymorph any object

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains the benefit of the fortification universal monster rule.

Abjuration Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	endure elements, protection from chaos/evil/good/law	Alarm, hold portal
4–7	nondetection, protection from energy	dispel magic, resist energy
8–11	Dismissal, stoneskin	dimensional anchor, lesser globe of invulnerability
12–15	antimagic field, banishment	globe of invulnerability, greater dispel magic
16+	mage’s disjunction, prismatic sphere	prismatic wall, protection from spells

Notes:

Benefit: Choose one energy type. The monster gains resistance 5 to that type of damage. At CR 12, increase the resistance to 10. At CR 16, increase the resistance to 20.

Abyssal Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	burning hands, summon monster I	Cause fear, protection from good or law
4–7	Rage, summon monster III	alter self, scare
8–11	Dismissal, summon monster V	chaos hammer, dimension door
12–15	summon monster VI, word of chaos	greater dispel magic, greater teleport
16+	energy drain, summon monster IX	cloak of chaos, unholy aura

Notes:

Benefit: Increase the monster’s Strength modifier by 1. At CR 13, increase it by 2 instead. At CR 17, increase it by 3 instead.

Acid Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	corrosive touch, obscuring mist	acid splash, cause fear
4–7	Empowered corrosive touch, protection from energy (acid only)	acid arrow, resist energy (acid only)
8–11	acidic spray, corrosive consumption	rusting grasp, transmute rock to mud
12–15	Widened acid fog, caustic eruption	Quickened acid arrow, acid fog
16+	Empowered caustic eruption, form of the dragon III (black only)	Maximized acidic spray, storm of vengeance

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains acid resistance 5. At CR 12, increase the resistance to 10. At CR 16, the monster gains acid immunity.

Air Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Jump, obscuring mist	feather fall, open/close
4–7	gaseous form, wind wall	Fly, gust of wind
8–11	Control wind, overland flight	air walk, extended wind wall
12–15	control weather, elemental body IV (air only)	chain lightning, reverse gravity
16+	elemental swarm (air only), winds of vengeance	Empowered chain lightning, whirlwind

Notes:

Benefit: Increase the monster’s movement speed by 10 feet.

Alchemy Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	expeditious retreat, true strike	ant haul, jump
4–7	Displacement, fly	Invisibility, vomit swarm
8–11	magic jar, overland flight	dragon’s breath, stoneskin
12–15	Eyebite, twin form	Heal, true seeing
16+	fiery body, shapechange	Clone, simulacrum

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains a +2 bonus on saving throws against disease and poison.

Animal Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Hold animal, summon nature’s ally I	Charm animal, hide from animals
4–7	dominate animal, greater magic fang	beast shape I (animal only), speak with animals
8–11	animal growth, insect plague	giant vermin, locate creature
12–15	antilife shell, summon nature’s ally VII (animal only)	beast shape IV (animal only), mass cure light wounds
16+	Quickened insect plague, shapechange	animal shapes, summon nature’s ally VII (animals only)

Notes:

Benefit: Animal allies within 20 feet of the monster gain a +1 luck bonus on attack rolls.

Arcane Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	expeditious retreat,	Light, prestidigitation, magic missile
4–7	dispel magic, levitate	Invisibility, scorching ray
8–11	Empowered lightning bolt, overland flight	dimension door, lesser globe of invulnerability
12–15	Quickened dispel magic, greater teleport	Maximized fireball, true seeing
16+	power word kill, quickened wall of force	Maximized cone of cold, power word stun

Notes:

Benefit: Increase the saving throw DCs of any of the monster’s spells to which a metamagic feat has been applied by 1.

Artifice Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	animate rope, magic stone	floating disk, mending
4–7	stone shape, tiny hut	make whole, wood shape
8–11	major creation, wall of stone	Fabricate, minor creation
12–15	limited wish, wall of iron	animate objects, flesh to stone
16+	crushing hand, prismatic sphere	Iron body, polymorph any object

Notes:

Benefit: When the monster casts a spell from this list, it gains a deflection bonus to AC equal to the spell’s level for 1 round.

Battle Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Bless, expeditious retreat	Bleed, flare
4–7	Fly, haste	Invisibility, protection from arrows
8–11	interposing hand, teleport	dimension door, greater invisibility
12–15	giant form I, transformation	greater teleport, true seeing
16+	mass hold monster, time stop	Mislead, power word stun

Notes:

Benefit: Increase the monster’s attack bonus for all attacks by 1.

Celestial Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Bless, divine favor	Guidance, light
4–7	magic circle against evil, prayer	cure moderate wounds, resist energy
8–11	flame strike, greater command	blessing of fervor, holy smite
12–15	banishment, holy word	Empowered flame strike, greater dispel magic
16+	Quickened flame strike, gate	holy aura, sunburst

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains resistance 5 to acid and cold. At CR 12, these resistances increase to 10.

Chaos Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Lesser confusion, protection from law	Daze, entropic shield
4–7	magic circle against law, rage	alter self, daze monster
8–11	dispel law, mind fog	chaos hammer, confusion
12–15	Insanity, word of chaos	animate objects, repulsion
16+	prismatic sphere, summon monster IX (chaotic only)	cloak of chaos, scintillating pattern

Notes:

Benefit: The monster’s attacks count as chaotic for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.

Charm Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Charm person, hypnotism	Daze, message
4–7	Hold person, suggestion	Calm emotions, daze monster
8–11	Charm monster,	Confusion, lesser geas, dominate person
12–15	Insanity, mass hold person	Geas/quest, mass suggestion
16+	dominate monster, mass hold monster	Demand, mass charm monster

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains a +4 bonus on saving throws against charm effects.

Cold Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Frostbite, obscuring mist	endure elements, ray of frost
4–7	protection from energy, sleet storm	chill metal, resist energy
8–11	cone of cold, enlarged:ref:ice storm <corerulebook.spells.icestorm#ice_storm>	ice storm, wall of ice
12–15	control weather, form of the dragon II (white dragon only)	Empowered cone of cold, freezing sphere
16+	Quickened cone of cold, form of the dragon III (white dragon only)	polar ray, simulacrum

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains cold resistance 5. At CR 12, increase the resistance to 10. At CR 16, the monster gains cold immunity.

Community Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Bless, sanctuary	cure light wounds, virtue
4–7	dispel magic, prayer	Aid, shield other
8–11	telepathic bond, wall of stone	cure critical wounds, status
12–15	Heal, repulsion	banishment, blade barrier
16+	Foresight, miracle	dimensional lock, mass cure critical wounds

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains Diplomacyas an additional master skill.

Conjuration Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Grease, summon monster I	acid splash, guidance
4–7	stinking cloud, summon monster III	acid arrow, summon monster II
8–11	summon monster V, teleport	dimension door, summon monster IV
12–15	greater teleport, summon monster VII	acid fog, summon monster VI
16+	Gate, summon monster IX	incendiary cloud, summon monster VIII

Notes:

Benefit: The monster doubles the duration of all conjuration (summoning) spells it casts.

Darkness Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Cause fear, obscuring mist	Daze, silent image
4–7	deeper darkness, displacement	Blindness/deafness (only to cause blindness), darkness
8–11	shadow evocation, summon monster V (1d3 shadows)	black tentacles, shadow conjuration
12–15	greater shadow conjuration, power word blind	Quickened darkness, shadow walk
16+	energy drain, shades	greater shadow evocation, maximized shadow evocation

Notes:

Benefit: The monster’s spells with the darkness descriptor count as 1 spell level higher.

Death Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	chill touch, ray of enfeeblement	Bleed, touch of fatigue
4–7	stricken heart, vampiric touch	death knell, ghoul touch
8–11	slay living, waves of fatigue	death ward, enervation
12–15	Destruction, finger of death	circle of death, undeath to death
16+	energy drain, wail of the banshee	horrid wilting, symbol of death

Notes:

Benefit: Increase the saving throw DC of any death spell the monster casts by 1.

Destined Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Alarm, protection from chaos/evil/good/law	expeditious retreat, true strike
4–7	Displacement, protection from energy	Blur, good hope
8–11	break enchantment, debilitating portent	Divination, freedom of movement
12–15	Quickened displacement, jolting portent	Mislead, spell turning
16+	Foresight, quickened freedom of movement	mind blank, moment of prescience

Notes:

Benefit: Increase all the monster’s saving throw bonuses by 1.

Destruction Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	burning hands, true strike	acid splash, ray of frost
4–7	fireball, rage	acid arrow, shatter
8–11	Maximized acid arrow, shout	ice storm, inflict critical wounds
12–15	disintegrate, quickened lightning bolt	Maximized fireball, harm
16+	Empowered disintegrate, implosion	Earthquake, fire storm

Notes:

Benefit: Increase the saving throw DCs of any spells the monster casts that deal damage by 1.

Divination Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	anticipate peril, unprepared combatant	Guidance, true strike
4–7	Clairaudience/clairvoyance, see invisibility	arcane sight, detect thoughts
8–11	Scrying, telepathic bond	discern lies, locate creature
12–15	greater arcane sight, greater scrying	find the path, true seeing
16+	Foresight, prediction of failure	discern location, moment of prescience

Notes:

Benefit: The monster cannot be surprised while it is conscious and able to take actions.

Draconic Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	burning hands, cause fear	Jump, true strike
4–7	Fly, haste	draconic reservoir, scare
8–11	overland flight, spell resistance	dragon’s breath, fear
12–15	form of the dragon II, spell turning	form of the dragon I, symbol of fear
16+	form of the dragon III, wish	Foresight, power word stun

Notes:

Benefit: The monster’s AC and flat-footed AC increase by 2. In addition, the monster gains resistance 5 to your choice of acid, cold, electricity, or fire.

Earth Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	expeditious excavation, magic stone	acid splash, resistance
4–7	meld into stone, stone shape	acid arrow, soften earth and stone
8–11	transmute mud to rock, transmute rock to mud	spike stones, wall of stone
12–15	elemental body IV (earth only), wall of iron	major creation, move earth
16+	elemental swarm (earth only), imprisonment	Earthquake, iron body

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains acid resistance 5. At CR 12, increase the resistance to 10. At CR 16, the monster gains acid immunity.

Electricity Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	expeditious retreat, shocking grasp	Flare, obscuring mist
4–7	call lightning, lightning bolt	elemental aura (electricity only), elemental touch (electricity only)
8–11	call lightning storm, empowered lightning bolt	ball lightning, dragon’s breath (electricity only)
12–15	chain lightning, quickened lightning bolt	control weather, form of the dragon II (blue or bronze only)
16+	Empowered chain lightning, empowered quickened lightning bolt	form of the dragon III (blue or bronze only), power word stun

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains electricity resistance 5. At CR 12, increase the resistance to 10. At CR 16, the monster gains electricity immunity.

Elemental Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	burning hands, produce flame	ray of frost, resistance
4–7	fireball, lightning bolt	scorching ray, sleet storm
8–11	control winds, elemental body II	elemental body I, ice storm
12–15	elemental body IV, fire storm	elemental body III, freezing sphere
16+	elemental swarm, meteor	Empowered chain lightning, summon monster VIII (elementals only)

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains one of the following: a fly speed of 60 feet with average maneuverability, a burrow speed of 30 feet, a 30-foot increase to its base speed, or a swim speed of 60 feet.

Enchantment Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Charm person, sleep	Daze, hypnotism
4–7	hideous laughter, hold person	Suggestion, touch of idiocy
8–11	dominate person, feeblemind	Charm monster, confusion
12–15	Insanity, mass suggestion	mass hold person, power word blind
16+	irresistible dance, power word kill	binding, power word stun

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains either Bluffor Diplomacyas an additional master skill.

Evil Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Bane, inflict light wounds	Bleed, protection from good
4–7	bestow curse, magic circle against good	Darkness, ghoul touch
8–11	dispel good, slay living	inflict critical wounds, unholy blight
12–15	blasphemy, destruction	Harm, mass inflict moderate wounds
16+	power word kill, summon monster IX (evil only)	power word stun, unholy aura

Notes:

Benefit: The monster’s attacks count as evil for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.

Evocation Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	burning hands, magic missile	Light, ray of frost
4–7	fireball, lightning bolt	scorching ray, shatter
8–11	cone of cold, empowered fireball	ice storm, wall of fire
12–15	delayed blast fireball, quickened fireball	chain lightning, maximized lightning bolt
16+	Quickened ice storm, meteor swarm	polar ray, sunburst

Notes:

Benefit: The monster adds 1/2 its CR to the damage dealt with evocation spells it casts.

Fey Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Charm person, entangle	dancing lights, faerie fire
4–7	deep slumber, suggestion	glitterdust, hideous laughter
8–11	baleful polymorph, tree stride	dimension door, poison
12–15	Insanity, phase door	Mislead, transport via plants
16+	Shambler, shapechange	irresistible dance, scintillating pattern

Notes:

Benefit: Increase the saving throw DCs of any compulsion spell the monster casts by 2.

Fire Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	burning hands, heat metal	Flare, produce flame
4–7	Empowered burning hands, fireball	flame blade, flaming sphere
8–11	Empowered fireball, flame strike	fire shield, wall of fire
12–15	elemental body IV (fire only), quickened fireball	fire seeds, fire storm
16+	Elemental swarm(fire only), meteor swarm	Empowered fire storm, incendiary cloud

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains fire resistance 5. At CR 12, increase the resistance to 10. At CR 16, the monster gains fire immunity.

Glory Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Bless, sanctuary	Guidance, resistance
4–7	Daylight, searing light	Aid, bless weapon
8–11	dispel evil, flame strike	Dismissal, holy smite
12–15	holy sword, holy word	blade barrier, undeath to death
16+	Gate, overwhelming presence	Earthquake, holy aura

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains a +4 bonus on saves against fear.

Good Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Bless, protection from evil	Guidance, virtue
4–7	magic circle against evil, prayer	cure moderate wounds, hold person
8–11	dispel evil, plane shift	cure critical wounds, holy smite
12–15	holy word, summon monster VII *	blade barrier, heal
16+	storm of vengeance, summon monster IX *	holy aura, summon monster VIII *

Notes:

Can summon good creatures only.
Benefit: The monster’s attacks count as good for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.

Healing Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	cure light wounds, sanctuary	Stabilize, virtue
4–7	cure serious wounds, remove disease	cure moderate wounds, shield other
8–11	breath of life, mass cure light wounds	cure critical wounds, neutralize poison
12–15	mass cure serious wounds, regenerate	Heal, mass cure moderate wounds
16+	Quickened breath of life, mass heal	Quickened cure critical wounds, mass cure critical wounds

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains Diplomacyor Healas an additional master skill.

Illusion Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	color spray, silent image	disguise self, ghost sound
4–7	Displacement, major image	Invisibility, minor image
8–11	mirage arcana, persistent image	greater invisibility, phantasmal killer
12–15	Quickened displacement, mass invisibility	shadow walk, veil
16+	Shades, weird	greater shadow evocation, scintillating pattern

Notes:

Benefit: Increase the saving throw DCs of any illusion spells the monster casts by 1.

Infernal Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	burning hands, protection from good	Charm person, flare
4–7	fireball, suggestion	daze monster, scorching ray
8–11	dominate person, empowered fireball	Charm monster, wall of fire
12–15	blasphemy, greater teleport	Quickened fireball, mass suggestion
16+	dominate monster, meteor swarm	Empowered maximized fireball, power word stun

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains fire resistance 5 and a +2 bonus on saving throws against poison. At CR 9, the fire resistance increases to 10 and the bonus on saving throws against poison increases to +4.

Knowledge Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	anticipate peril, true strike	Alarm, comprehend languages
4–7	arcane sight, clairaudience/clairvoyance	detect thoughts, locate object
8–11	Commune, true seeing	Divination, locate creature
12–15	contact other plane, vision	find the path, legend lore
16+	Foresight, prediction of failure	discern location, moment of prescience

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains two Knowledgeskills of your choice as additional master skills.

Law Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Command, protection from chaos	Cause fear, stabilize
4–7	dispel magic, magic circle against chaos	Calm emotions, enthrall
8–11	dispel chaos, greater command	dimensional anchor, order’s wrath
12–15	Dictum, power word blind	banishment, hold monster
16+	power word kill, summon monster IX (law only)	shield of law, power word stun

Notes:

Benefit: The monster’s attacks count as lawful for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.

Liberation Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	expeditious retreat, remove fear	feather fall, open/close
4–7	Fly, remove curse	Knock, remove paralysis
8–11	break enchantment, overland flight	freedom of movement, extended haste
12–15	ethereal jaunt, refuge	Quickened fly, greater dispel magic
16+	Freedom, wish	Quickened freedom of movement, mind blank

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains Escape Artistas an additional master skill.

Luck Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	entropic shield, true strike	Daze, feather fall
4–7	dispel magic, prayer	Aid, protection from energy
8–11	bestow curse, break enchantment	freedom of movement, serenity
12–15	Quickened dispel magic, spell turning	Dismissal, mislead
16+	Foresight, miracle	antimagic field, moment of prescience

Notes:

Benefit: Increase all the monster’s saving throw bonuses by 1.

Madness Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Cause fear, lesser confusion	Daze, touch of fatigue
4–7	major image, rage	hideous laughter, touch of idiocy
8–11	Nightmare, phantasmal killer	Confusion, crushing despair
12–15	Insanity, mass suggestion	feeblemind, mind fog
16+	dominate monster, weird	irresistible dance, scintillating pattern

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains a +2 bonus on saving throws against mind-affecting effects.

Magic Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	magic missile, silent image	detect magic, read magic
4–7	dispel magic, hold person	Invisibility, scorching ray
8–11	Spell resistance, teleport	imbue with spell ability, lesser globe of invulnerability
12–15	mage’s sword, spell turning	antimagic field, forceful hand
16+	mage’s disjunction, time stop	clenched fist, protection from spells

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains a +2 bonus on caster level checks made to overcome spell resistance.

Metal Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	lead blades, shocking grasp	disguise weapon, magic weapon
4–7	heat metal, molten orb	chill metal, pellet blast
8–11	rusting grasp, major creation	heart of the metal, wreath of blades
12–15	transmute metal to wood, wall of iron	chain lightning, instant summons
16+	Iron body, repel metal or stone	mage’s disjunction, polymorph any object

Notes:

Benefit: The monster increases one of its speeds by 10 feet.

Nature Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Entangle, shillelagh	Charm animal, obscuring mist
4–7	call lightning, sleet storm	flame blade, heat metal
8–11	call lightning storm, wall of thorns	flame strike, ice storm
12–15	antilife shell, control weather	fire seeds, wall of stone
16+	Shambler, summon nature’s ally IX	Earthquake, finger of death

Notes:

Benefit: The monster ignores difficult terrain caused by nonmagical natural terrain.

Necromancy Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	chill touch, ray of enfeeblement	Bleed, touch of enfeeblement
4–7	ray of exhaustion, vampiric touch	Blindness/deafness, scare
8–11	animate dead, bestow curse	Contagion, enervation
12–15	finger of death, waves of exhaustion	circle of death, eyebite
16+	energy drain, wail of the banshee	Quickened enervation, horrid wilting

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains the channel energy option (negative energy only).

Nobility Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Bless, command	Bane, sanctuary
4–7	bestow curse, summon monster III	Enthrall, shield other
8–11	greater command, summon monster V	discern lies, freedom of movement
12–15	Repulsion, summon monster VII	Geas/quest, word of recall
16+	overwhelming presence, storm of vengeance	Demand, mass cure critical wounds

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains Diplomacyor Sense Motiveas an additional master skill.

Plant Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Entangle, summon nature’s ally I (plant only)	goodberry, pass without trace
4–7	plant growth, spike growth	tree shape, warp wood
8–11	tree stride, wall of thorns	command plants, summon nature’s ally IV
12–15	animate plants, changestaff	fire seeds, repel wood
16+	Maximized fire seeds, shambler	control plants, summon nature’s ally VIII

Notes:

Benefit: The monster ignores difficult terrain caused by nonmagical natural terrain.

Protection Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Hold portal, sanctuary	Alarm, resistance
4–7	dispel magic, protection from energy	resist energy, shield other
8–11	Dismissal, spell resistance	dimensional anchor, spell immunity
12–15	globe of invulnerability, repulsion	antimagic field, greater dispel magic
16+	prismatic sphere, wall of suppression	mind blank, prismatic wall

Notes:

Benefit: Increase all the monster’s saving throw bonuses by 1.

Repose Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	deathwatch, ray of enfeeblement	Cause fear, chill touch
4–7	false life, scare	gentle repose, speak with dead
8–11	death ward, slay living	Enervation, fear
12–15	circle of death, destruction	undeath to death, waves of fatigue
16+	power word kill, wail of the banshee	finger of death, waves of exhaustion

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains a +4 bonus on saving throws against death spells and effects.

Rune Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Alarm, erase	arcane mark, protection from chaos/evil/good/law
4–7	arcane lock, glyph of warding	dispel magic, symbol of mirroring
8–11	Lesser planar binding, symbol of pain	explosive runes, symbol of slowing
12–15	symbol of stunning, symbol of weakness	greater glyph of warding, symbol of fear
16+	symbol of strife, symbol of vulnerability	symbol of death, symbol of insanity

Notes:

Benefit: Choose one energy type. The monster gains resistance 5 to that type of damage. At CR 12, increase the resistance to 10. At CR 16, increase the resistance to 20.

Sonic Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Command, ear-piercing scream	ghost sound, message
4–7	Enthrall, silence	Shatter, sound burst
8–11	song of discord, zone of silence	Shout, empowered sound burst
12–15	Maximized shout, quickened silence	greater shout, sympathetic vibration
16+	Maximized greater shout, power word kill	power word stun, quickened shout

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains sonic resistance 5. At CR 12, increase the resistance to 10. At CR 16, the monster gains sonic immunity.

Stealth Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	disguise self, obscuring mist	Flare, silent image
4–7	Displacement, nondetection	Darkness, invisibility
8–11	mage’s private sanctum, seeming	dimension door, greater invisibility
12–15	Sequester, shadow walk	greater teleport, mislead
16+	Screen, time stop	Extended widened deeper darkness, quickened greater invisibility

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains Stealthas an additional master skill.

Strength Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	enlarge person, gust of wind	cure light wounds, resistance
4–7	Haste, hold person	Rage, weapon of awe
8–11	interposing hand, telekinesis	blessing of fervor, spell immunity
12–15	Destruction, grasping hand	forceful hand, stoneskin
16+	crushing hand, implosion	clenched fist, earthquake

Notes:

Benefit: Increase the monster’s Strength modifier by 1. At CR 12, increase it by 2 instead. At CR 16, increase it by 3 instead.

Sun Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	burning hands, endure elements	Flare, light
4–7	Daylight, searing light	heat metal, scorching ray
8–11	flame strike, empowered searing light	fire shield, flame arrow
12–15	Empowered flame strike, sunbeam	fire seeds, maximized fireball
16+	meteor swarm, prismatic sphere	fire storm, sunburst

Notes:

Benefit: Increase the saving throw DC of any spell the monster casts from this spell list by 1.

Transmutation Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	enlarge person, expeditious retreat	animate rope, reduce person
4–7	Haste, slow	alter self, levitate
8–11	baleful polymorph, polymorph	beast shape II, mass reduce person
12–15	giant form I, greater polymorph	disintegrate, flesh to stone
16+	form of the dragon III, shapechange	Iron body, polymorph any object

Notes:

Benefit: Increase any one of the monster’s physical ability score modifiers by 1. At CR 12, increase that modifier by 2 instead.

Travel Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Jump, longstrider	expeditious retreat, open/close
4–7	Fly, gaseous form	Knock, levitate
8–11	overland flight, teleport	dimension door, freedom of movement
12–15	greater teleport, plane shift	find the path, shadow walk
16+	astral projection, gate	ethereal jaunt, phase door

Notes:

Benefit: Increase the monster’s movement speed by 10 feet.

Trickery Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	disguise self, lesser confusion	ghost sound, mage hand
4–7	gaseous form, nondetection	Invisibility, minor image
8–11	greater invisibility, mind fog	Confusion, dimension door
12–15	mass hold person, veil	mass suggestion, mislead
16+	Foresight, time stop	mass charm monster, mass invisibility

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains Bluffor Stealthas an additional master skill.

Undead Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	chill touch, ray of enfeeblement	Bleed, touch of fatigue
4–7	animate dead, vampiric touch	command undead, ghoul touch
8–11	magic jar, quickened ray of enfeeblement	Enervation, waves of fatigue
12–15	control undead, create undead	circle of death, maximized vampiric touch
16+	create greater undead, energy drain	horrid wilting, wail of the banshee

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains DR 5/— against nonlethal damage. At CR 8, the DR increases to 10/—.

War Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	Cause fear, true strike	Magic weapon, resistance
4–7	Prayer, searing light	Grace, spiritual weapon
8–11	flame strike, slay living	blessing of fervor, spiritual ally
12–15	Destruction, power word blind	blade barrier, harm
16+	Implosion, power word kill	Earthquake, power word stun

Notes:

Benefit: Increase the monster’s attack bonus for all attacks by 1.

Water Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	hydraulic push, obscuring mist	ray of frost, touch of the sea
4–7	gaseous form, stinking cloud	chill metal, fog cloud
8–11	cone of cold, wall of ice	ice storm, solid fog
12–15	control water, elemental body IV (water only)	fluid form, freezing sphere
16+	elemental swarm (water only), storm of vengeance	horrid wilting, summon nature’s ally VIII

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains cold resistance 5. At CR 12, increase the resistance to 10. At CR 16, the monster gains cold immunity.

Weather Spell List ¶

CR Band	Primary Spells	Secondary Spells
0–3	obscuring mist, summon nature’s ally I	faerie fire, shocking grasp
4–7	call lightning, wind wall	gust of wind, sound burst
8–11	call lightning storm, ice storm	air walk, sleet storm
12–15	control weather, wind walk	control winds, quickened lightning bolt
16+	storm of vengeance, summon nature’s ally IX	fire storm, whirlwind

Notes:

Benefit: The monster gains electricity resistance 5. At CR 12, increase the resistance to 10. At CR 16, the monster gains electricity immunity.