The Netflix original series Stranger Things may have brought Dungeons & Dragons out of the basement and into the real world, but the show's iconic Demogorgon has a long history with the tabletop-RPG that stretches back to First Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. In fact, the Demogorgon featured in Stranger Things differs quite a bit from the Prince of Demons gamers once dreaded encountering in the final dungeon of an adventure.

With Stranger Things Season 4 Part One coming to Netflix May 27, the Demogorgon will almost certainly make another appearance. Whether it evolves into something resembling its original incarnation or remains the same, one thing's for sure: The Demogorgon is a dangerous enemy. Where did this demon prince originally come from, and what makes it such a terrifying enemy to face?

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What Is D&D's Demogorgon

dungeons & dragons demogorgon

The Demogorgon is a single entity, a demon lord of the Abyss that was originally introduced in AD&D. Described as a two-headed monster that is both ape-like and reptilian, Demogorgon's heads resemble twin baboons, while its powerful body and double tentacle arms are covered in serpent scale. Emerging from its backside is a massive, forked tale that doles out deadly attacks. While two heads can be better than one, the distinct personalities of Demogorgon's two heads (named Aameul and Hethradiah) create intense chaos that constantly puts the demon at odds with itself.

Demogorgon's dual nature empowered the creature as much as it provoked weakness. The creature is constantly at war with itself; while the charismatic Aameul seeks to break free, Hethradiah's destructive and impulsive nature fights to keep them together. Despite the Demogorgon's immense power, the lore suggests that this dual nature that made it impossible for the demon to rise to full power and rule the Abyss.

What to Expect From Demogorgon In a D&D Campaign

Demogorgon D&D Monsters

The Demogorgon was often the final and most terrifying boss at the end of an epic dungeon crawl, and defeating him generally led to great rewards. Encounters with Demogorgon are definitely not designed for beginner adventurers, who likely lack the tools and the power to withstand the lair effects, much less the monster within. The Demogorgon may have only been mentioned briefly in the Monster Manual, but 2015's Fifth Edition adventure module Out of the Abyss provided a full stat block for encounters. It also included dangerous lair actions and regional effects and a table for Madness of Demogorgon designed to drive adventurers insane and make it even more difficult to defeat their epic foe.

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Madness begins to take hold on creatures as soon as they are within one mile of the Demogorgon's lair. Forced to make a DC 23 Wisdom saving throw, creatures who fail suffer maddening effects determined by the DM, who can roll and choose from the Madness table. These include everything from extreme paranoia that could force a player to turn on their own party members to becoming selfishly protective of one's own items in such a way that they would kill anyone who tried to take them away.

Battling the Demogorgon is not easy task. The creature's dual nature provides it with incredible stat boosts across the board, with a positive modifier in every core stat. The lowest stat is Dexterity, which only gets a +2 bonus, but proficiency with DEX saving throws gives it +10, meaning it'll be that much harder to knock off its feet. Strength is Demogorgon's best stat at 29 with a +9 modifier, though fortunately it isn't proficient when it comes to making STR saves. Due to Aameul's charismatic nature, CHA is relatively high at 25, with +7 modifier and proficiency with CHA saving throws granting +15. Demogorgon's Constitution is remarkable at 26, with a +8 modifier and proficiency on CON saves adding +16 to throws.

In addition to stat boosts, its dual nature also ensures it is more difficult to blind, deafen, stun, or knock Demogorgon unconscious. Its maddening gaze, magical attacks, resistances, and powerful physical attacks ensure players must use careful strategy, planning, and preparation before endeavoring into its lair if they want to get back out alive.

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How Does Demogorgon Differ Between D&D and Stranger Things?

Stranger Things Demogorgon

To say the monster in Stranger Things is a Demogorgon is not entirely accurate, but it is the closest identifiable descriptor this party of D&D-playing kids can relate to. In their game, the Demogorgon is the biggest of the baddies, the unknown monster threatening to end their game. What happens when the game ends? Will they still be friends? Will they still find reasons to spend time together? As Eleven tries to explain the Upside Down and the monster within, she grasps onto concepts her new friends can understand, but at its core, the Demogorgon becomes a much more terrifying monster.

The monster they face may not be an actual Demogorgon from D&D, but it plays the same terrifying role as it does in the game. Metaphorically, the Demogorgon becomes the monster transitioning them from childhood into adulthood, where their roles and responsibilities have no choice but to evolve and change. They need to strategize and carefully plan before tackling responsibility head on, otherwise they risk failure and death. Whether that death is a symbolic loss of innocence or literal death, the transition is terrifying, and not everyone makes it through unscathed.

Additionally, the Demogorgon becomes the embodiment of the real monsters they will face (or become) in their adult lives: other human beings. The selfish actions of others and how they affect the world around them is a harsh concept most children aren't aware of until it begins to affect them personally. Prior to those initial realizations, children are taught to trust and respect their elders. Discovering that those very same elders are hiding horrible secrets can shatter a child's entire world, physically and mentally, which is just one reason the Demogorgon becomes the perfect representation of their trials.