Movie Monster Mondays: The Phonos - A Ruthless Conqueror Inspired by the Daleks

Lights. Camera. Initiative.

Every Monday, Giants of the North drops a brand-new monster ripped straight from the silver screen and reimagined for Dungeons & Dragons 5e. From lurking horrors to unstoppable war machines, Movie Monster Mondays turns iconic cinematic threats into playable encounters complete with lore, tactics, and DM-ready hooks.

This week’s monster is The Phonos a cold, calculating construct inspired by one of science fiction’s most recognizable and terrifying villains. If you’re looking for a monster that embodies conquest, supremacy, and relentless extermination, the Phonos is ready to roll into your campaign.

So steel your resolve, ready your spells, and prepare to be judged unworthy.

What Movie and TV Monster Inspired the Phonos?

The Phonos is inspired by the Daleks from Doctor Who, one of the longest-running and most iconic science-fiction franchises of all time. First appearing in 1963, the Daleks are known for their tank-like casings, singular purpose, and chilling declaration of “Exterminate!”

Rather than simple robots, Daleks are portrayed as fanatical, highly intelligent beings encased in living war machines, creatures driven by a belief in their own genetic and ideological superiority. That concept translates naturally into a D&D monster that blends advanced technology, magic-like weaponry, and absolute intolerance for all other life.

Why Bring a Dalek-Inspired Monster Into D&D?

Because few enemies create fear like one that never hesitates.
The Phonos is not a beast acting on instinct, it is a thinking weapon. It evaluates threats, prioritizes targets, and eliminates anything it deems inferior. This makes it perfect for:

• Authoritarian villains
• Advanced civilizations gone too far
• Arcane–technological hybrids
• Planar conquerors
• Enemies that cannot be reasoned with

When the Phonos appears, diplomacy is already over.

Large construct, lawful evil

Armor Class 17 (natural armour)
Hit Points 119 (14d10 + 42)
Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover)

STR 14 (+2)     DEX 10 (+0)     CON 16 (+3)     INT 19 (+4)     WIS 12 (+1)     CHA 1 (-5)

Skills  History +10
Damage Resistances cold, fire, lightning
Damage Immunities poison, bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, prone
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Common, Phonos-logos
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP) 
Proficiency Bonus +3

Multitool. The Phonos manipulator arm can fabricate any tool, including thieves’ tools. The manipulator arm is proficient with any tools it fabricates.

Regeneration. The Phonos regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn. If the Phonos takes acid or lightning damage, this trait doesn't function at the start of its next turn. The Phonos dies only if it starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesn't regenerate.

Unusual Nature. The Phonos doesn’t require air. 

Slam (Actions). Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Gunstick Beams (Actions). The Phonos shoots two of the following beams at random (reroll duplicates), choosing targets it can see within 120 ft. of it:

1. Paralyzing Ray (Action). The targeted creature must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

2. Disintegration Ray (Action). If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take 27 (6d8) force damage. If this damage reduces the creature to 0 hit points, its body becomes a pile of fine gray dust.

3. Telekinetic Ray (Actions). If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or the Phonos moves it up to 30 ft. in any direction. It is restrained by the beam’s telekinetic grip until the start of the Phonos’ next turn or until the Phonos is incapacitated.

4. Exterminate! (Actions). The targeted creature must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take 33 (6d10) necrotic damage. The target dies if the ray reduces it to 0 hit points.

Monster Details

What is Phonos

The Phonos is a sentient construct housing a living, hyper-intelligent being. Long ago, its creators abandoned physical evolution in favor of survival through machines. What remains inside the armored shell is fragile, brilliant, hateful, and utterly dependent on its war chassis.

The casing itself is more than armor. It is life support, a weapon platform, and a symbol of dominance. Without it, the creature within survives only moments.

Where are they Found?

Phonos units are rarely encountered alone. They are most often found:

• Guarding advanced ruins or fallen empires
• Leading extermination forces
• Enforcing control over conquered worlds
• Patrolling time-lost battlefields
• Emerging from planar rifts or arcane anomalies
  

Legends speak of entire legions waiting in stasis, ready to awaken when the time is right.

Tactics and Behaviour

The Phonos fights with absolute efficiency.

• It uses ranged weaponry to eliminate threats before they close the distance
• It manipulates the battlefield through forced movement and control effects
• It prioritizes spellcasters and leaders
• It shows no mercy, no fear, and no hesitation
• It retreats only if survival ensures future domination

Using the Phonos in Your Campaign

How Can You Add the Phonos to Your D&D 5e Game?

Here are a few ways to introduce this relentless foe:

• An ancient war machine awakens beneath a ruined city and begins “cleansing” it
• A time-displaced Phonos appears, hunting an unknown enemy — and the party gets in the way
• A tyrannical ruler employs Phonos units as enforcers
• A planar expedition uncovers a sealed chamber full of dormant constructs
• The party intercepts transmissions repeating a single phrase in an unknown language
  

The Phonos works best as a recurring villain, a symbol of inevitable conflict, or the harbinger of a far greater threat.

Looking for More Movie Monster Mondays?

Check out previous creature entries for ideas and inspiration:

Movie Monster Monday: The Entity - A Shape-Shifting Horror Inspired by The Thing (1982)

Movie Monster Monday: The Silence - A Sound-Hunting Sci-Fi Creature Inspired by A Quiet Place (2018)

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