The Ultimate Guide to Using Ghasts and Ghouls in Dungeons and Dragons

Welcome, brave adventurers and cunning dungeon masters, to the world of the undead! Today, we're diving deep into the dark, creepy, and sometimes downright smelly world of Ghasts and Ghouls in Dungeons and Dragons (D&D). These foul creatures can add a layer of horror, tension, and excitement to your campaigns. So, grab your holy symbols, prepare your turn undead spells, and let’s get started!

Running Encounters with Ghasts and Ghouls

Tips for Running Ghast and Ghoul Encounters

Ghasts and ghouls are not your run-of-the-mill zombies. They have unique abilities that can catch your players off guard and create memorable encounters. Here are some tips for making the most out of your ghast and ghoul encounters: 

Use Their Speed and Agility

Both ghouls and ghasts have a speed of 30 feet, which is quite decent for undead creatures. Use this to your advantage by having them dart in and out of combat, striking from unexpected angles. They can also chase down fleeing adventurers, adding a sense of relentless pursuit to your encounter.

Paralyze Your Players

The paralysis ability of their claw attacks is what sets ghouls and ghasts apart from other undead. This can turn a simple skirmish into a deadly confrontation if multiple players get paralyzed. Focus their attacks on key characters, like healers or spellcasters, to increase the tension.

The Ghast's Stench

Don’t forget about the ghast's Stench ability. Position the ghast strategically so that it can affect as many players as possible. This can significantly weaken the party and make the encounter more challenging.

Turn Defiance

With their Turn Defiance ability, ghasts and ghouls can resist turn undead effects more effectively. Use this to surprise players who rely on these abilities to control undead. It can force them to come up with alternative strategies on the fly.

Creating Atmosphere, Tension, and Fear

One of the best things about using ghasts and ghouls is their ability to create a genuinely creepy atmosphere. Here’s how to use them to scare the pants off your players: 

Describe the Environment

Set the scene with vivid descriptions. If they’re in a swamp, describe the murky water, the fog that clings to the ground, and the distant sounds of splashing that hint at something lurking just out of sight. In an urban environment, talk about the abandoned buildings, the eerie silence, and the occasional clattering noise that echoes through the empty streets. 

Use Darkness and Light

Both ghouls and ghasts have darkvision, so use the darkness to your advantage. Limit the players' visibility and create a sense of unease (though this can be easier said than done when many players play races with darkvision themselves!). Use flickering torchlight or distant lanterns to cast long shadows and make the players jump at every movement.

Play with Sound

Incorporate unsettling sounds into your descriptions. The squelching of footsteps in the swamp, the distant wail of a tortured soul, or the scraping of claws on stone can all add to the tension. If you’re playing in person, consider using sound effects or background music to enhance the atmosphere. 

Build Suspense

Don’t just throw the ghouls and ghasts at the players. Build up to their appearance with clues and hints. Maybe the players find half-eaten corpses or see movement out of the corner of their eye. When the ghouls finally attack, the players will be on edge and fully immersed in the encounter. 

Roleplaying Ghouls and Ghasts

Roleplaying ghouls and ghasts can be a lot of fun, and it adds depth to your encounters. Here are some tips for bringing these undead horrors to life:

Give Them Personality 

While ghouls and ghasts are mindless in many ways, they can still have personality. Maybe a particular ghoul has a twisted sense of humour, taunting the players as it attacks. A ghast might have been a cruel leader in life and now enjoys tormenting its prey. Adding these touches can make the encounter more engaging. 

Use Their Hunger

Ghouls and ghasts are driven by an insatiable hunger for flesh. Make this a central part of their behaviour. Describe how they drool and snarl, their eyes fixed on the players with a ravenous intensity. They might fight over a downed player or become more aggressive if they smell blood.

Interact with the Environment 

Ghouls and ghasts are not just mindless attackers. They can use their surroundings to their advantage. Have them knock over obstacles, climb walls, or hide in the shadows to launch surprise attacks. This makes them more dynamic and unpredictable.

Show Their Reluctance 

Despite their hunger, ghouls and ghasts might show reluctance or fear when faced with certain obstacles. Holy symbols, strong light, or fire might make them hesitate or retreat. This adds a layer of strategy for the players and makes the creatures more believable. 

Using Miniatures to Enhance Your Game

 Adding miniatures to your D&D game can make encounters with ghouls and ghasts even more exciting. Here are some ways to use miniatures effectively:

Visual Representation

Having a physical representation of the creatures on the battlefield helps players visualize the encounter. Place the miniatures in strategic positions to show the players where the threats are coming from.

Movement and Tactics

Miniatures make it easier to track movement and positioning. Use them to demonstrate how the ghouls and ghasts are manoeuvring around the players, setting up flanking attacks, or creating choke points.

Adding Terrain

Use terrain pieces to create a more immersive environment. Swampy terrain, ruined buildings, and narrow alleyways can all enhance the atmosphere and add tactical depth to the encounter.

Collecting and Painting Miniatures

Collecting and painting miniatures is a rewarding hobby in itself. You can find high-quality ghoul and ghast miniatures at The Lion's Tower. Here are some products you might be interested in:

Ghouls (set of 7)

Roderick the Ghoul Rogue Leader

Ghasts (set of 2)  

Ghasts with Cloaks (set of 4)  

Painting Challenge: Monochrome Madness

If you’re looking to improve your painting skills, why not take on our Monochrome Madness painting challenge? This challenge is perfect for practicing shading and highlights with a limited colour palette. Plus, it’s a great excuse to add some spooky ghasts to your collection!

Check out the details here

Conclusion

Ghouls and ghasts are a fantastic addition to any Dungeons and Dragons campaign. They bring a mix of horror, tension, and excitement that can keep your players on the edge of their seats. By using them effectively, you can create memorable encounters that your players will be talking about for years to come.

So, go ahead and unleash these undead horrors in your next game. Just remember to keep a bottle of holy water handy and maybe a peg for your nose. Happy adventuring, and may your dice rolls always be in your favour!