[RPG] Are there any monsters that can target more than one target/creature

dnd-5emonsterstargeting

I noticed that the attacks in Statblocks mention one target (and sometimes one creature). This made me curious. I have been poring over the MM and VGtM, but have not found any monster that can make a melee/ranged attack against more than one target / one creature.

  1. Do we know of any example within the 'official' books where this is more than one?
  2. If it's always one, do we know of any reason why this is at all mentioned in the statblocks?

Related: Are there any issues with creating creatures that can make multi-target melee attacks?

Related: In the descriptions of monster action options, what's the difference between "one target" and "one creature"?

Best Answer

There was one: Deathlock Mastermind (MToF, pg. 129).

The Deathlock Mastermind's attack Grave Bolts says:

Grave Bolts. Ranged Spell Attack: +6 to hit, range 120 ft., one or two targets. Hit: 18 (4d8) necrotic damage.

I have searched through all three primary monster source books and this is the only one I found.

Monsters of the Multiverse changed "Grave Bolts" to "Grave Bolt".

With the release of Monsters of the Multiverse, Modenkainen's Tome of Foes is obsolete. The Deathlock Mastermind received an update that changes how Grave Bolts works. Instead of Grave Bolts having "one or two targets", it now targets one creature but can be used twice:

Multiattack. The deathlock makes two Deathly Claw or Grave Bolt attacks.

Grave Bolt. Ranged Spell Attack: +6 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (3d8) necrotic damage.