Name Expressions
Available only in descriptions for Special Traits, Actions, Reactions, and Legendary Actions.
In the topmost section where you specify the creature's full name, you can also optionally specify a short name, and indicate whether the creature's name is a proper noun.
The short name is typically one or two words used to refer to the creature in the descriptions of its special traits, actions, reactions, and legendary actions. In these descriptions, all instances of [NAME] are substituted with the short name when displayed. If the short name is blank, the creature's full name will be used instead.
Alternatively, you can use [FULLNAME], which is always replaced with the creature's full name. However, [NAME] should suffice for almost all use cases.
Check the proper noun box if the statblock describes a unique individual or creature.
If the proper noun box is checked, then all instances of [NAME] and [FULLNAME] will be replaced normally.
However, if the proper noun box is NOT checked:
- The word "the" will precede all instances of
[NAME]and[FULLNAME]. - The word "The" will begin with a capital letter if
[NAME]or[FULLNAME]is used at the beginning of a sentence. - Any capitalization in the short name or full name will be removed.
If the creature's full name is "Mind Flayer" and it has no short name:
| Original Text | Displayed Text |
|---|---|
[NAME] has advantage... |
The mind flayer has advantage... |
...within 30 feet of [NAME]. |
...within 30 feet of the mind flayer. |
| Full Name | Short Name | Proper Noun? | Original Text and Displayed Text |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient Red Dragon | dragon | No |
[NAME] can take 3 legendary actions...The dragon can take 3 legendary actions... |
| Gelatinous Cube | cube | No |
...a creature that does so is subjected to [NAME]'s Engulf......a creature that does so is subjected to the cube's Engulf... |
| Orc War Chief | orc / war chief | No |
As a bonus action, [NAME] can move up to its speed...As a bonus action, the orc can move up to its speed... OR As a bonus action, the war chief can move up to its speed... |
| Rust Monster | (none) | No |
Nonmagical ammunition made of metal that hits [NAME] is destroyed after dealing damage.Nonmagical ammunition made of metal that hits the rust monster is destroyed after dealing damage. |
| Casper the Friendly Ghost | Casper | Yes |
...the target is immune to [NAME]'s Horrifying Visage......the target is immune to Casper's Horrifying Visage... |
| Drizzt Do'urden | Drizzt | Yes |
...within 30 feet of [NAME]....within 30 feet of Drizzt. |
| Lady Kima of Vord | Lady Kima | Yes |
[NAME] can invoke her Divine Smite...Lady Kima can invoke her Divine Smite... |
| Tiamat | (none) | Yes |
[NAME] can innately cast *divine ward*...Tiamat can innately cast divine ward... |
For convenience, you can add name expressions to your description by hovering over the "NAME" menu to the left of the text area, and clicking the desired expression. The expression will be added to wherever your cursor is located in the text area, or if you selected some text, the expression will replace your selection.
Please note the use of name expressions is completely optional; you can certainly enter the creature's literal short/full names into the descriptions without using any expressions.
However, if you ever want to:
- Change the creature's short/full name at a later time, or
- Copy traits or actions into another statblock
Then you may find that using name expressions will make these tasks a lot easier, otherwise you will have to manually change every instance of the short/full name in the descriptions.