Doppelgänger (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy role-playing game
, Doppelgangers are monstrous humanoids
, identified primarily by their ability to change their shape and appearance to mimic almost any humanoid creature. They can be used in the game by Dungeon Master
s as allies or opponents of the player characters.
(1975). It is described as a creature with a mutable form, able to shape itself into a double of any person it observes.
The doppelganger was detailed in Dragon
#80 (December 1983), in the "Psychology of the Doppelganger".
(1977, 1981, 1983). The doppleganger was also later featured in the Dungeons & Dragons Game
set (1991), the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991), and the Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1994).
The greater doppelganger was introduced in the Forgotten Realms
campaign setting
boxed set, City of Splendors (1994), and then in the Monstrous Compendium Annual Two (1995).
The doppelganger appears in the Ravenloft
campaign setting module Hour of the Knife (1994) and the dread doppelganger was introduced in Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium Appendix III: Creatures of Darkness (1994).
The greater doppelganger reappeared in Monsters of Faerûn (2000).
The ethereal doppelganger was introduced in Monster Manual II (2002).
The doppelganger appeared as a player character race in Races of Destiny (2004).
The changeling, offspring of doppelgangers and humans, appears as a player character race in the Eberron Campaign Setting
(2004).
for this edition (2008), including the doppelganger sneak and the doppelganger assassin, with the At-Will power Change Shape (as in earlier editions). The statistics in the 4th Edition Monster Manual depicts them as rogues, as both the Sneak and Assassin have the ability to deal extra damage to enemies they have Combat Advantage against. (much like the rogue Sneak Attack).
, doppelgangers have long, gangly limbs which do not betray their above-average strength and agility, and pale gray skin. Their eyes resemble those of an octopus, yellow with slitted pupils, and they have no hair on any part of their body. Their facial features appear to be half-developed. They are cunning and patient, and will wait as long as it takes for an opportunity to present itself. They have the ability to Detect Thoughts, which helps them to mimic their target almost flawlessly by imitating their mannerisms and discovering information that only their target would know. Because of this, they are feared and regarded as natural spies and assassins.
campaign setting. In 3.5 edition, they are a race descended from half-human/half-Doppelgangers, known as Changelings. They breed true, like Doppelgangers do, but have slightly more distinct facial features in their natural form. Changelings also have more-typically human proportions than doppelgangers, and naturally grow fine white hair from their scalps (although this can be altered with normally by the changeling's Change Shape ability). Changelings can only change their physical appearance, not including their clothes, and they cannot Detect Thoughts. In D&D 3.5, their favored class is Rogue. In 4th edition, "Changeling" is merely another word for "Doppelganger".
of Doppelganger can be found in the Demiplane of Dread, Ravenloft
. These Dread Doppelgangers, like many creatures of Ravenloft, are a twisted rendition of the original. Dread doppelgangers are capable of mimicking with 100% efficiency, aided by a natural ability to probe minds (a feat only approached, amongst ordinary doppelgangers, by the Greater Doppelganger with its ability to assimilate memories from consumed brains) as well as generating natural illusions via their "Glamour" ability. But in the process, the dread doppelgangers have become sexless parasites, dependent on their ability to integrate with society
to survive. While normal doppelgangers have their own culture and have no real need to mingle with humanoids, dread doppelgangers can only reproduce by mating with humanoids (usually doing so as males, as a "pregnant" dread doppelgänger cannot change forms until after giving birth) and have effectively lost their own culture.
Dread doppelgangers have one major accomplishment over ordinary doppelgangers in other campaign settings: their own country. The Ravenloft
domain of Paridon is the birthplace of the dread doppelganger, and as such is crawling with the vile things. The Darklord
of the domain, Sodo the Flickerflame, directs and organizes a vile ritual called the Blood Rite, which takes place once every thirteen years and is used by Sodo to give himself effective immortality
. This ritual is conducted by a chosen dread doppelganger, and the Paridoners refer to the time when the killer stalks the streets as "The Bloody Jack Killings", because for many years Paridon thought the killings were the work of a madman. The truth behind the Bloody Jack Killings was made public after the events of the Shadow of the Knife adventure.
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, Doppelgangers are monstrous humanoids
Monstrous humanoid (Dungeons & Dragons)
Monstrous humanoids are a "creature type" in the 3rd and 3.5 editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Monstrous humanoids are differentiated from humanoids by their monstrous or animalistic features, and not all are technically "humanoid" in body form...
, identified primarily by their ability to change their shape and appearance to mimic almost any humanoid creature. They can be used in the game by Dungeon Master
Dungeon Master
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Dungeon Master is the game organizer and participant in charge of creating the details and challenges of a given adventure, while maintaining a realistic continuity of events...
s as allies or opponents of the player characters.
Publication history
The doppelganger was one of the earliest creatures introduced in the D&D game.Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)
The doppelganger was introduced to the game in its first supplement, GreyhawkGreyhawk (supplement)
Greyhawk is a supplementary rulebook written by Gary Gygax and Robert J. Kuntz for the original edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
(1975). It is described as a creature with a mutable form, able to shape itself into a double of any person it observes.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
The doppelganger appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), where it is described as a bipedal creature able to shape itself into the likeness of any humanoid creature it can observe.The doppelganger was detailed in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#80 (December 1983), in the "Psychology of the Doppelganger".
Dungeons & Dragons (1977-1999)
This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the doppelganger, spelled doppleganger, in the Dungeons & Dragons Basic SetDungeons & Dragons Basic Set
The original Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set boxed set was first published by TSR, Inc. in 1977, and comprised a separate edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, distinct from the first edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game, which was initially published in the same...
(1977, 1981, 1983). The doppleganger was also later featured in the Dungeons & Dragons Game
Dungeons & Dragons Game (1991 boxed set)
The New Easy to Master Dungeons & Dragons Game is an accessory for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published in 1991....
set (1991), the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991), and the Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1994).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
The doppelganger appears first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989), and is reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).The greater doppelganger was introduced in the Forgotten Realms
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
campaign setting
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
boxed set, City of Splendors (1994), and then in the Monstrous Compendium Annual Two (1995).
The doppelganger appears in the Ravenloft
Ravenloft
Ravenloft is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. It is an alternate time-space existence known as a pocket dimension called the Demiplane of Dread, which consists of a collection of land pieces called domains brought together by a mysterious force known only as "The Dark...
campaign setting module Hour of the Knife (1994) and the dread doppelganger was introduced in Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium Appendix III: Creatures of Darkness (1994).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)
The doppelganger appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000). In the 3rd edition of Dungeons & Dragons, Doppelgangers were classified as shapechangers.The greater doppelganger reappeared in Monsters of Faerûn (2000).
The ethereal doppelganger was introduced in Monster Manual II (2002).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)
The doppelganger appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003). In 3.5 Edition, their type was monstrous humanoid. If used as a player character race, their favored class is Rogue.The doppelganger appeared as a player character race in Races of Destiny (2004).
The changeling, offspring of doppelgangers and humans, appears as a player character race in the Eberron Campaign Setting
Eberron Campaign Setting
Eberron Campaign Setting is a hardcover accessory for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Contents:The Eberron Campaign Setting book introduced Eberron, and is the core campaign setting, providing the campaign specific rules and details on the continent of Khorvaire...
(2004).
Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
The doppelganger appears in the Monster ManualMonster Manual
The Monster Manual is the primary bestiary sourcebook for monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It includes monsters derived from mythology, and folklore, as well as creatures created for D&D specifically...
for this edition (2008), including the doppelganger sneak and the doppelganger assassin, with the At-Will power Change Shape (as in earlier editions). The statistics in the 4th Edition Monster Manual depicts them as rogues, as both the Sneak and Assassin have the ability to deal extra damage to enemies they have Combat Advantage against. (much like the rogue Sneak Attack).
Description
In Dungeons & DragonsDungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
, doppelgangers have long, gangly limbs which do not betray their above-average strength and agility, and pale gray skin. Their eyes resemble those of an octopus, yellow with slitted pupils, and they have no hair on any part of their body. Their facial features appear to be half-developed. They are cunning and patient, and will wait as long as it takes for an opportunity to present itself. They have the ability to Detect Thoughts, which helps them to mimic their target almost flawlessly by imitating their mannerisms and discovering information that only their target would know. Because of this, they are feared and regarded as natural spies and assassins.
Changelings
Doppelgangers are a playable race in the EberronEberron
Eberron is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, set in a period after a vast destructive war on the continent of Khorvaire...
campaign setting. In 3.5 edition, they are a race descended from half-human/half-Doppelgangers, known as Changelings. They breed true, like Doppelgangers do, but have slightly more distinct facial features in their natural form. Changelings also have more-typically human proportions than doppelgangers, and naturally grow fine white hair from their scalps (although this can be altered with normally by the changeling's Change Shape ability). Changelings can only change their physical appearance, not including their clothes, and they cannot Detect Thoughts. In D&D 3.5, their favored class is Rogue. In 4th edition, "Changeling" is merely another word for "Doppelganger".
Dread Doppelgangers
A subspeciesSubspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of Doppelganger can be found in the Demiplane of Dread, Ravenloft
Ravenloft
Ravenloft is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. It is an alternate time-space existence known as a pocket dimension called the Demiplane of Dread, which consists of a collection of land pieces called domains brought together by a mysterious force known only as "The Dark...
. These Dread Doppelgangers, like many creatures of Ravenloft, are a twisted rendition of the original. Dread doppelgangers are capable of mimicking with 100% efficiency, aided by a natural ability to probe minds (a feat only approached, amongst ordinary doppelgangers, by the Greater Doppelganger with its ability to assimilate memories from consumed brains) as well as generating natural illusions via their "Glamour" ability. But in the process, the dread doppelgangers have become sexless parasites, dependent on their ability to integrate with society
Society
A society, or a human society, is a group of people related to each other through persistent relations, or a large social grouping sharing the same geographical or virtual territory, subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations...
to survive. While normal doppelgangers have their own culture and have no real need to mingle with humanoids, dread doppelgangers can only reproduce by mating with humanoids (usually doing so as males, as a "pregnant" dread doppelgänger cannot change forms until after giving birth) and have effectively lost their own culture.
Dread doppelgangers have one major accomplishment over ordinary doppelgangers in other campaign settings: their own country. The Ravenloft
Ravenloft
Ravenloft is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. It is an alternate time-space existence known as a pocket dimension called the Demiplane of Dread, which consists of a collection of land pieces called domains brought together by a mysterious force known only as "The Dark...
domain of Paridon is the birthplace of the dread doppelganger, and as such is crawling with the vile things. The Darklord
Darklord
Darklord is a term used in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game campaign setting Ravenloft, referring to the mystically imprisoned and cursed ruler of a domain in Ravenloft.-Background:...
of the domain, Sodo the Flickerflame, directs and organizes a vile ritual called the Blood Rite, which takes place once every thirteen years and is used by Sodo to give himself effective immortality
Immortality
Immortality is the ability to live forever. It is unknown whether human physical immortality is an achievable condition. Biological forms have inherent limitations which may or may not be able to be overcome through medical interventions or engineering...
. This ritual is conducted by a chosen dread doppelganger, and the Paridoners refer to the time when the killer stalks the streets as "The Bloody Jack Killings", because for many years Paridon thought the killings were the work of a madman. The truth behind the Bloody Jack Killings was made public after the events of the Shadow of the Knife adventure.
Additional reading
- Cagle, Eric. "The Minions of Darkness" Dragon #300 (Paizo Publishing, 2002).