As we announced in a previous blog post, Kobold Press revised and refreshed the original Tome of Beasts. The results are on sale now!
This refresh brings our oldest monsters more in line with the styles, structures, and quality-of-life features we’ve given newer monsters.
Please Note: The revision process for Tome of Beasts started quite awhile ago. The monsters were not updated to specifically fit the Core Fantasy Roleplaying rule set or the Tales of the Valiant roleplaying game. However, both CFR and ToV will be compatible with 5E. You can easily use these revised monsters in any 5E or CFR game. See more on this compatibility after the monster stat block!
Changing While Keeping it the Same
The rift swine is a great example of how things changed in the refresh. The rift swine is a chaotic boar as large as an ox, covered in eyes and trailing lashing tentacles.
In the original version, the Chaos Mutations trait allowed the GM to pick a mutation afflicting the swine before combat started, representing some odd mutation this particular rift swine acquired from its exposure to chaotic magical energy.
However, unless the game master threw a herd of them swine at the PCs, many of these mutations would never see play. Beyond that single mutation (some of which were minor, passive benefits), the only other aspect of the stat block that potentially read “mutated chaos creature” was the tentacle attack.
To better bring that fun, chaotic flavor into the creature’s stat block, we reworked the Chaos Mutations trait to be a random mutation at the start of each of the rift swine’s turns. We also gave the rift swine a new magical ranged attack that temporarily distorts reality around the target, disrupting the target’s attacks. These changes reinforce the rift swine’s chaos theme while also making combat a bit more dynamic for both GM and PCs, as the swine’s tactics and capabilities change each turn.
See the difference below!
Rift Swine (New)
Large Aberration, Chaotic Neutral
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 127 (15d10 + 45)
Speed 40 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
| 18 (+4) | 10 (+0) | 17 (+3) | 4 (−3) | 12 (+1) | 5 (−3) |
Damage Resistances force, poison
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages —
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP) Proficiency Bonus +3
Chaos Mutations. At the start of each of its turns, the rift swine’s body experiences a mutation. Choose an option or roll a d6 to determine the type of mutation. The mutation lasts until the start of the rift swine’s next turn.
- Acid Boils. The next creature that hits the rift swine with a melee attack while within 5 feet of the rift swine takes 3 (1d6) acid damage.
- Acid Saliva. The next melee attack the rift swine makes that hits a creature deals an extra 3 (1d6) acid damage to the creature.
- Extra Eyes. The rift swine has advantage on the next attack roll it makes.
- Extra Hooves. The rift swine’s speed increases by 10 feet, and the rift swine doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks when it moves out of an enemy’s reach.
- Second Heart. The rift swine gains 10 (3d6) temporary hp.
- Toughened Hide. The rift swine has resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage (the rift swine’s choice).
Dozens of Eyes. The rift swine has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight and on saving throws against being blinded. In addition, if the rift swine isn’t blinded, creatures attacking it can’t benefit from traits and features that rely on a creature’s allies distracting or surrounding the rift swine, such as the Pack Tactics trait or Sneak Attack class feature.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The rift swine makes one Tusk attack and two Tentacle attacks, or it makes three Warping Bolt attacks.
Tusk. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) slashing damage.
Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it is grappled (escape DC 14). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained. The rift swine has two tentacles, each of which can grapple only one target.
Warping Bolt. Ranged Spell Attack: +4 to hit, range 60 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (3d6 + 1) force damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or have disadvantage on attack rolls as reality-warping energies temporarily distort its body.
Rift Swine (Original)
Large aberration, chaotic neutral
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 110 (13d10 + 39)
Speed 40 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
| 18 (+4) | 10 (+0) | 17 (+3) | 4 (−3) | 12 (+1) | 5 (−3) |
Damage Resistances force, poison
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages —
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
360-Degree Vision. The rift swine’s extra eyes give it advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Chaos mutations. 50% of rift swine have additional mutant features. Choose or roll on the table below.
| 1 | Acid Boils. A creature that hits the rift swine with a melee attack must make a successful DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or take 3 (1d6) acid damage. |
| 2 | Tentacular Tongue. Instead of using its tusks, the rift swine can attack with its tongue: Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d4 + 4) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it is grappled and restrained as with a tentacle attack (escape DC 14). |
| 3 | Covered in Slime. Increase the rift swine’s AC by 1. |
| 4 | Acid Saliva. The rift swine’s tusk or tongue attack does an additional 3 (1d6) acid damage. |
| 5 | Poison Spit. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 15 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d12) poison damage. |
| 6 | Roll twice. |
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The rift swine makes one tusks attack and two tentacle attacks.
Tusks. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) slashing damage.
Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it is grappled (escape DC 14). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the rift swine can’t use this tentacle against another target.
Questions about Compatibility
We have heard several common questions about the Tome of Beasts (2023) refresh. Here are some answers!
If I have ToB already, can I get the ’23 Revision for free?
Because of the extensive revisions and addition of brand-new monsters, the 2023 edition is treated as an entirely separate product.
Will this be available on VTT platforms?
Yes, the 2023 edition will be available on VTT. Keep an eye on our website for when those versions launch.
How will this be handled in VTT?
Just like with the physical book, the VTT versions of the 2023 edition of Tome of Beasts will be a separate book/product.
Is it Black Flag Compatible?
This revision was created before Tales of the Valiant was announced. It was not created with ToV’s rules in mind. However, ToV will be backward compatible with anything 5E, as detailed in our compatibility design diary.
Whether you’ve never cracked the book or have a well-worn copy, Tome of Beasts is one of the best monster books ever produced for 5E D&D.
Get your copy today!
The book looks great! I preordered it on DriveThruRPG. Is there a release date for those orders yet? Thank you!
That’s a wonderful helping of data. The fact that you just shared this knowledge with us is very much appreciated. Please continue informing us in this manner. It’s quite helpful to have this information.