Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of Stranger Things: the finally-concluded Netflix love letter to old school sci-fi and all things ’80s. If you’ve seen it (or maybe even if you haven’t), you’re probably aware that the tabletop game Dungeons and Dragons plays a pretty major role in the story of the show.
Almost all of the monsters in Stranger Things have their real DnD counterparts. Having spent a good deal of time at the table myself, I found myself asking the question: who would win in a fight? This is what we’re here to discuss today: using careful study of stat blocks, mechanics, and also my humble opinion. For the sake of ease (and my sanity), I will be using 5th Edition stat blocks, even though the kids are playing 1st Edition in the show. Let them fight!
The Demogorgon vs. The Demogorgon
This one is the easiest one to set up, because it’s who the boys are fighting during their campaign in Episode 1. I won’t lie that this made me lose my mind as a seasoned DnD player, because the Demogorgon isn’t just any monster. He’s one of the Demon Princes, and by far one of the most powerful enemies in the game. As such, it’s not much of a contest here. Yes, the Stranger Things Demogorgon is immune to all kinds of martial damage, but he’s otherwise still vulnerable, and by season 5, the kids are taking these guys out left and right. The Demogorgon in Dungeons and Dragons is immune to martial damage as well as poison, with additional resistance to cold, fire, and lightning. On top of that, he can cast spells without cost or preparation and has an absolutely massive health pool. If they fought, the Stranger Things Demogorgon would be dead in one round.
Winner: The Demogorgon (Dungeons and Dragons)
Demodog (Dart) vs. Hellhound
While technically still just a baby Demogorgon, this is all just for fun, so Dart gets to fight too. His best equivalent is the 5th Edition Hellhound, an evil dog from the Nine Hells. While the Hellhound has some neat tricks (breathing fire, a bite attack that does both piercing and fire damage), it’s the durability where Dart has him beat. We see Dart take several gunshots of damage and shake off all of it, which tells me he probably has a very high armor class (18+). The Hellhound’s armor class is only 15, so Dart would definitely be able to outlast the two of them in a fight.
Winner: Dart (Stranger Things)
Spider Monster vs. Flesh Golem
This one I agonized over, because there is simply not a great one-to-one monster equivalent for the Spider Monster in season 3. A grotesque beast possessed by the Mind Flayer, the Spider Monster is fashioned out of body parts and dead rats. The best equivalent I could find is the Flesh Golem, a Frankenstein-like monster fashioned out of parts. The Spider Monster has a pretty serious weakness: it needs the Mind Flayer to function. Even so, assuming the Mind Flayer is in constant control, it’s the clear winner here. The Flesh Golem is just normal humanoid size, and even though it can do some wild attacks, it doesn’t have the size or power of the Spider Monster. Plus, the Spider Monster could just incorporate his parts afterwards. Another win for them!
Winner: The Spider Monster (Stranger Things)
The Mind Flayer (Abyss Form) vs. Elder Brain
Now the true Mind Flayer (we learn in Season 5) is a big ol’ guy, even larger and more powerful than viewers had believed in previous seasons. Because of this, I feel the best comparison is not an actual Mind Flayer (who’s just a tentacle guy), but rather the Elder Brain that controls the Mind Flayers. Because both creatures have a pretty fatal flaw (the Mind Flayer requires a host and the Elder Brain is only a major threat in its lair), I’m assuming for the sake of argument that they are both at their most powerful.
While the Mind Flayer has its size going for it and definitely has the more powerful martial attack, the lair of the Elder Brain is the game-changer. Once per turn, the Elder Brain can either cast Wall of Force or control a nearby enemy with sheer force of will. We know this is a weakness for the Mind Flayer too, because of how the fight with El goes in the Abyss. Furthermore, the Elder Brain’s most powerful abilities are all psychic, focusing on harnessing the will of its opponent and rendering them useless via charm and deception. Because of this, the big brain is the winner.
Winner: The Elder Brain (Dungeons and Dragons)
Vecna vs. Vecna
This is the one that inspired me to write this piece, because I think so few people realize just how bonked Vecna is. Vecna (in Stranger Things) is a super-powerful humanoid with psychic abilities, martial resistance, and ridiculously high intelligence. Vecna in Dungeons and Dragons though is a lich, an undead being who truly cannot die. Even if killed, he just becomes a spirit that generates a new body over time. He does not need food, air, or sleep and is immune to all martial damage plus poison. When I say Vecna (DnD) would body Vecna (Stranger Things), I am not exaggerating. He has every ability Stranger Things Vecna has, plus eight scary other ones, including the ability to just turn five of his bad rolls into successes instead automatically. I’ve been playing Dungeons and Dragons for almost ten years, but if my DM brought out a Vecna mini, I would lose it. He’s the scariest villain in Dungeons and Dragons for a reason, and while the kids’ association with him and Henry makes sense, real Vecna’s abilities are much more frightening.
Winner: Vecna (Dungeons and Dragons)
Who do you think is the most powerful Stranger Things or DnD monster? Think my assessments were right or way off? Please fight (respectfully) in the comments!