Build a Bigger Bestiary: Aboleth (2024 MM)
Another day, another monster from the monster manual. The Aboleth, one of those weird monsters that's meant to be a perfect manipulator, but isn't the most terribly effective in combat.
An excellent villain for early tiers, its machinations constantly hounding the PCs, until they finally hit Tier 3 and hunt it down.
Aboleth
Tier 3 Solo
Manta-like aberration older than the gods.
Motives & Tactics: Plot, escape, manipulate, dominate, scheme
Difficulty: 18 | Thresholds: 25/35 | HP: 10 | Stress: 6
ATK: +6 | Tentacle: Close | 3d20 phy
Experience: Swimming +3, Psionics +3
Features
Relentless (3) - Passive: The Aboleth can be spotlighted up to three times per GM turn. Spend Fear as usual to spotlight them.
Lash - Reaction: When the Aboleth makes a successful Tentacle attack, spend a Fear to make the target Restrained until they break free with a successful Strength Roll (16).
Dominate Mind - Action: Make a Tentacle attack against a target within Close. On a success, mark a Stress and give the target the Charmed condition. While the target is Charmed, you may spend 1 Fear to spotlight the target and dictate their actions. The target still gets to take their own actions, and the GM may not use limited abilities belonging to the target. The target remains Charmed until an ally makes a successful Presence Roll (17).
Consume Memories - Passive: When the Aboleth makes a successful attack against a Restrained or Charmed PC, the PC marks 1 Stress and the Aboleth steals one of their memories.
Momentum - Reaction: When the Aboleth makes a successful attack against a PC, you gain a Fear.