The STRANGER THINGS 5 Finale’s Big Battle Was EXACTLY Like a D&D Boss Fight

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Like so many people, I spent New Year’s Eve watching TV and crying – for over two hours, actually! The Stranger Things finale was just amazing.

It’s hard to say much more about the fifth and final season of Stranger Things and its emotional finale, but it truly was spectacular. The show delivered satisfying conclusions to many character storylines, answered long-standing questions, and provided plenty of inspiration for fan creations. While rewatching the finale, my husband pointed out something I was already thinking during the climactic battle: it felt exactly like a boss fight from a Dungeons & Dragons game.

Yes, it really does! If you’re not familiar with Dungeons & Dragons, don’t worry – I’ll explain everything. Let’s explore the details, from how the group is formed to how battles are fought.

Over the years, Stranger Things has played out much like a Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) campaign. It included many classic elements of a great D&D game: side quests, memorable villains, narrow escapes, unexpected twists, heartbreaking moments, and the loss of beloved characters (like Bob and Eddie). These are the things that make an epic D&D campaign stand out. Just like in D&D, the characters in the show each have unique skills and roles, similar to how players choose different classes when creating characters for a D&D campaign.

The characters in Stranger Things can be seen as fitting classic fantasy roles. Dustin is the inventor, constantly building useful gadgets. Mike acts as the protector, defending his friends and fighting against evil. Lucas is skilled with weapons, especially from a distance. Eleven is a powerful magic-user, relying on her own abilities. Max is stealthy and quick, acting as the group’s scout. And Will, rather than being a natural magic-user like Eleven, gets his powers from a mysterious source, Vecna.

Okay, let me tell you about that fast-paced battle with the Mindflayer and Vecna – it felt so Dungeons & Dragons! Seeing Vecna start as a second-in-command and then become the ultimate villain was a clever nod to the game. But honestly, the whole fight played like a classic D&D boss battle. The way they acted as a hive mind, shared damage, and really needed to work together to win? That’s exactly how those battles feel when you’re all at the table, rolling dice and strategizing. It was a fantastic translation to the screen!

Watching the group work together was incredible – it felt just like a battle in Dungeons & Dragons. Each person contributed something unique, and they flowed together seamlessly like a well-coordinated tag team. They always took the time to plan their moves, and everyone’s strengths were highlighted at just the right moments. The whole fight felt inspired by D&D, and I’m constantly impressed by the Duffer brothers for creating what felt like a ten-year Dungeons & Dragons campaign on Netflix.

Though Stranger Things has ended, it significantly impacted pop culture. The show beautifully portrayed the power of friendship and sparked renewed interest in Dungeons & Dragons, introducing the game to a whole new audience. For many, especially those who grew up with it, the series evoked a strong sense of nostalgia and happy memories of childhood adventures and close friendships. It felt like experiencing a fantastic D&D campaign all over again.

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2026-01-07 20:03