The gang in Stranger Things decided to name their nemesis Vecna, as a reference to the god-like lich from the Dungeons & Dragons books. The name fits, somewhat, since we’re talking about a humanoid-looking man with an unclear plan of dominance and destruction.The real Vecna is a bit more than that, with a vampiric rival named Kas, and constantly losing an eye and an arm. But if you’re planning your next D&D campaign, or if you’re just curious, there are several villains better than Vecna in either form. The history of the hobby goes deep, after all.cnx.cmd.push(function() {cnx({playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530",}).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796");});Wizards of the CoastTiamat, The Five-Headed QueenTiamat is the evil dragon goddess herself, ruling over chromatic dragons and embodying their most destructive traits. Her five heads give her an immediately memorable presence, while her divine ambitions make her considerably more than a powerful monster.Wizards of the CoastAcererak, The Dungeon’s ArchitectAcererak builds elaborate deathtraps to lure adventurers in, making sure some survive to tell of the treasures in his dungeons, all while harvesting the souls of the fallen. The lich’s Tomb of Horrors became legendary for its cruelty, making him an especially nasty villain for players who enjoy solving deadly puzzles.Wizards of the CoastStrahd von Zarovich, The Eternal TyrantStrahd is a vampire lord whose obsession with Tatyana and domination of Barovia have made him one of D&D’s defining villains. His intelligence, charisma, supernatural power, and control over his domain make confronting him deeply personal.Wizards of the CoastBaba Yaga, The Legendary WitchBaba Yaga occupies a fascinating place in D&D, drawing from Slavic folklore while appearing in adventures and source material as an extraordinarily powerful witch. Her magical abilities, unpredictable nature, and bizarre walking hut make her uniquely memorable.Wizards of the CoastAsmodeus, Lord of the NineAsmodeus rules the Nine Hells and stands at the top of the infernal hierarchy. His greatest weapons aren’t simply monstrous strength, but contracts, manipulation, and patience, allowing him to corrupt mortals without ever needing to draw a blade.Wizards of the CoastLolth, The Spider QueenLolth is the demonic goddess of spiders and patron of the drow, ruling from the Demonweb Pits. Her influence encourages treachery, ambition, and cruelty, making her particularly dangerous because her worshippers can destroy each other without needing much encouragement.Wizards of the CoastOrcus, Prince of UndeathOrcus is the Demon Prince of Undeath, obsessed with spreading death and creating undead. His Wand of Orcus is among D&D’s most infamous artifacts, while his armies and supernatural ambitions make him a threat extending far beyond one kingdom.Wizards of the CoastJuiblex, The Faceless HungerJuiblex is a demon lord associated with oozes, slimes, and corruption, dwelling in the Abyss. Unlike villains driven by elaborate schemes, Juiblex represents almost pure appetite and destruction, making its presence feel more like an approaching biological catastrophe.Wizards of the CoastKyuss, The Worm That WalksKyuss is an ancient evil associated with undead, worms, disease, and apocalyptic corruption. His followers seek to spread his influence through grotesque transformations, while the Worm That Walks himself represents a particularly revolting form of world-ending supernatural evil.Wizards of the CoastDemogorgon, The Prince of DemonsDemogorgon rules a layer of the Abyss and embodies madness and destructive chaos. He is one of the most powerful entities in D&D, although Stranger Things decided to turn the name into a simple minion.Wizards of the CoastGraz’zt, The Dark PrinceGraz’zt is a demon lord distinguished by intelligence, sophistication, and manipulation rather than simple bloodlust. His Abyssal realms reflect his decadent nature, while his schemes and alliances make him unusually capable of influencing events without personally attacking everything.Wizards of the CoastIggwilv, The Witch-QueenIggwilv is an archmage, demonologist, and legendary figure whose exploits connect her to some of D&D’s most dangerous beings. Her intelligence and magical knowledge make her frightening precisely because she can manipulate powers far beyond ordinary mortal understanding.Wizards of the CoastLord Soth, The Death KnightLord Soth is a legendary death knight from Dragonlance, condemned to an undead existence after his fall from grace. His tragic history, supernatural power, and association with the cursed realm of Sithicus give him an unusually gothic presence.Wizards of the CoastThe Lord of Blades, The Warforged ProphetThe Lord of Blades is a powerful warforged leader in Eberron who seeks a future dominated by his kind. His ideology makes him more complicated than a conventional monster, particularly because his movement reflects the consequences of a devastating war.Wizards of the CoastTharizdun, The Chained GodTharizdun is an ancient, imprisoned entity associated with destruction and madness, whose ultimate goal is nothing less than cosmic annihilation. Even other powerful beings have reason to fear his release, making him a threat far beyond ordinary mortal villains.The post 15 D&D Villains Better Than Vecna from ‘Stranger Things’ appeared first on Den of Geek.