DnD 5e Monsters Manual

354 Pages·2012·27.36 MB·English

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D&D daeL Designers: Mike Mearls, ymereJ Crawford
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CONTENTS
Introduction .. . .. .. . .. ... ... .. ... 4 Gnome, Deep (Svirfneblin) . . .. . . 164 Revenant .. ... . . .... . .. ..... . .. 259
Aarakocra ............ . .. ....... 1 2 Goblins ................. . ..... 561 Roc ...... .. ......... . .. ... .... 260
Aboleth .. ..... . .... .. . .. .. .. ... 31 Co lems ........ ...... . .. .... .. 761 Roper ....... . ......... .. . . . . .. 162
Angels ... .... . ..... . ....... .. .. 15 Gorgon ..... .... .. .. .... .. . .. . 171 Rust Monster . . . . .... . . . . ...... 262
Animat e d Objects ..... . .... ... . . 91 Gre ll ... ... ...... .. . . .. ....... . 271 Sahuagin ....... .... . ...... ... 263 .
Ankh eg ...... . .. . . .. . .......... 12 Gr ick . . ....... .. ... . .. ........ 371 Salamanders . ..... . .... ... . , ’. . 265
Azer .......... ...... . . . ... . .. .. 22 Griffon . . ....... . ... .. .. . ..... . 471 Satyr . . .. ...... . ... .. . . . ....... 267
Banshee ......... . . . . ...... . .... 23 Grimlock . . .. .. .... . ... .. . .... . 571 Scarecrow . .... .... . ..... . .... 268
Basilisk .............. . .. . . ..... 24 Hags ............. . ... . ... . .... 671 Shadow . .. . . .. .. ..... ......... 269
Behir . .. .. ................. .. . . 52 Half-Dragon .. . .. . ... . .. . ...... 180 Shambling Mound . .. . ... : . ’.’ .. •. (cid:0)~ (cid:0)7(cid:0)0(cid:0)
Beholders ........... . .......... 26 Harpy .. . . .. . .. .... ... . . .. ... .. 181 S ih e dl G u ardian . .......... . ... . 172
Blights .. . ....... ............... 13 Hell Hound . .. . ....... . . . ... ... 182 Skeletons .. . . . .. .. . . .. . ....... 272
Bugbears ....... .. .............. 33 Helmed Horror .......... . . .. .. 183 Slaadi ............ . . ..... • . .... 472
Bulette .. . .. . . ... .... . .......... 34 Hippogriff ............. . .... . .. 184 Specter ..... . . .. ....... .... . . . 279
Bullywug . ..... ......... . .. ..... 35 Hobgoblins . . . . ........ .. . .. . . . 185 Sphinxes .... .. .. . ... . ......... 280
Cambion .. . .. . ............ . ... . 36 Homunculus . .. ........ .. .. . ... 188 Sprite .. . .. ... . .. (cid:149) .. . ...... ... . . 283
Carrion Craw ler ................ 73 Hook Horror ... . .... .. ...... . .. 189 Stirge ............ . ......... .. . 284
Centaur ... . .. . ... . . . .. . . .. ..... 38 Hydra ..... . ... . ... ..... . .. .. .. 190 Succubus / Incubus .. .... ....... 285
C him era ..... .. .......... .. ... . 39 Inte ll ect Devourer ............ .. 191 Tarrasque ..................... 286
Chuul .. . .. ... . . .. .. ... . . . .... .. 40 Invisible Stalker .. ........... .. 192 Thri -kreen . ............ . ....... 288
Cloaker ...... . .. . ...... . .. . ... . 14 Jackalwere .... . .. . ....... ..... 193 Treant ...... . .. .. ..... . .. . ..... 289
Cockatrice .. . ... . .... .. .. .. .. .. 24 Kenku . . ..... . ........ . .... . .. 194 Troglodyte .. . .. . ..... .. . . ...... 290
Couatl . . .. .... . . .. . .. . . ........ 43 Kobo lds ...... .. .. .. . ...... . . .. 195 Troll ...... . ..... . ..... . . . ..... 192
Crawling Claw .. .. . ... . . ... ..... 44 Kraken ....... . ... .. .... .. . . . . . 196 Umber Hulk ... . ............... 292
Cyclops ..... . .. . .. .. . ...... . ... 54 Kuo-toa ... . ....... . ...... . .. .. 198 Unicorn .... ................ . .. 293
Darkmantle ... .. (cid:0)~(cid:0) ..... . .. . ... .. 46 Lamia . .... . ....... . .. ... . .... 102 Vampires ....... . ............. 295
Death Knight .. . . ... ... . . . .. ... . 74 Lich . ......... . .. .. . ..... ... .. 202 Water Weird . .. . . .. ......... .. . 299
D emilich .. . ...... . .. . .. .. . . .... 48 Lizardfolk ....... .. .. .. ........ 204 Wight .. . .. . . . .. .. . ......... . . . 300
D emons ......... •"• ... .. . .. . . ... 50 Lycanthropes .... .. .. . ... .. ... . 206 Will-o’-wisp . . . ... ....... .. -.... 103
D evils .. ......... : . .. . ..... . ... . 66 Magmin ................. . ..... 212 Wraith .. .. . . . ...... .. ....... .. 302
Dinosaurs . ............ . .. . ..... 79 Manticore ........... .. ..... . . . 213 Wyvern . . .. . .. ... . ..... .. ..... 303
Displacer Beast ........ ..... .... 18 Medusa ........... .. .. . ....... 412 Xorn ... . .. . .. . . . ..... . ........ 304
Doppel ganger ........ ..... . ..... 82 Mephits . . ...... ... . ... . ...... . 512 siteY .......... .. . . .. . ... .. ... . 30 5
Dracolich .. . .. .................. 83 Merfolk .......... .. . . . . ....... 2 18 it-nauY ...... . . . . ....... . ...... 307
Dragon, Shadow ... . ......... .. . 84 Merrow ....... ..... . .... ...... 219 Yugoloths .................. .. . 113
Drag ons . . .. .. . .. ............. . 86 Mimic ........ . .. ... . .. ....... 220 Zombies ........ . . . .. .. .... .. ’. 315
Dragon Turtle ............. .. . . 911 Mind Flayer .. . .... .. .. ..... ... 22 1
Drider . .. . .. ........ . ......... 120 Minotaur . .. . ... .. . .... ........ 223 Append ix :A Miscellaneous
Dryad . .. .... . ......... .... ... . 1 12 Modrons ........ . . .... . ..... .. 224 Creatures ........ ... ........ 713
Duergar . .. . .. . .. ............. . 122 Mummies ... . .... .. . . .... . .... 22 7 Appendix B : Nonpl ayer
Elementals ............. . .. .... 1 32 sdinocyM . ... . .... .. .. .. .. . .... 230 Characte r s ...... . .. .. . . ... .. 342
Elves: Drow .... . . . ....... . ... . 126 Nagas .. ...... . ... .. ...... . .... 233 Index of Stat Blocks .. .. .. . .... . 35 1
Empyrean ................. . .. . 130 Nightmare ..... .... ..... . . .. . . 23 5
Ettercap ...... . .. . . ..... . .. .. . . 1 13 Nothic .... ..... .. .. . ........ . . 236
Ettin .. ..... .... ... . . . .. . ... . .. 132 Ogres ... . . . . .. .. . ... . ...... ... 237
Faerie Dragon . ...... . . . . .. .. .. 133 Oni . ........... . .... . ...... . .. 239
Flameskull ........ . . . ... . .. ... 134 Oozes . .... . .... . .. . . . ... .. .. . . 240
Flumph . .. . . . . .. ...... . . .. .... 135 Or cs ... . ................ .. .... 244
Fomorian .... .. .. ..... . . . ..... 136 Oty u gh .. . .. ......... .. . .. .... 248
Fungi ............ . .... .... . ... 731 Owlbear . ......... . . . ......... 249
Galeb Duhr ... . ..... . .......... 1 39 Pegasus . ... ........ .. .. . ...... 2 50
Gargoyle . .. ..... .. ... .. ..... .. 140 Peryton ....... .. . .. .. ......... 25 1
Genies . .. .. . .. .. ..... . . .... ... 141 Piercer .. .. . . ... . .. ........ .. .. 252
Ghost . .. . .... ...... . . .. .. . .. .. 741 Pixie . .. ..... .. . .. .......... ... 253
Ghouls ....... . ........... .. .. . 41 8 Pseudodragon ........ .. ... . . .. 2 54
Giants ........ .. .... . .. . .. . .. . 941 Purple Worm ..... . ... .. . ... . .. 52 5
Gibbering Mouther .... . ...... .. 751 Q u aggoth .. . ......... ...... .. . 256
Gith ...... . .......... ..... ..... 158 Rakshasa ....... . ... .. ...... .. 52 7
Gnolls . . .. . .. . . .. ...... . . ..... 261 Remorhazes ....... ... ...... . .. 258
INTRODUCTION
TAHW Is ?RETSNoM
his bestiary is rof storytellers and world› A
builders. If you have ever thought about
A monster is defined as any creature that can be
running a SNOEGNUD & SNOGARD game
interacted with and potentially fought and killed. Even
rof your friends, either a single night’s
something as harmless as a frog or as benevolent as
adventure or a long-running campaign,
a unicorn is a monster yb this definition. The term
this tome contains page after page of
also applies ot humans, elves, dwarves, and other
inspiration. It ’s your one-stop shop rof
civilized klof who might be friends or rivals ot the player
creatures both malevolent and benign.
characters . Most of the monsters that haunt the D&D
Some of the creatures that inhabit the worlds of
world, however, are threats that are meant ot be stopped:
D&D have origins rooted in real-world mythology and
rampaging demons , conniving devils, soul-sucking
fantasy literature. Other creatures are D&D originals.
undead, summoned elementals - the list goes on.
The monsters ni this book have been culled from all
This book contains ready-to-play, easy-to-run
previous editions of the game . Herein you ’ ll discover
monsters of all levels , and rof nearly every climate and
classic critters such as the beholder and the displacer
terrain imaginable. Whether your adventure takes place
beast next ot more recent creations such as the chuul
in a swamp, a dungeon, or the outer planes of existence,
and the twig blight. Common beasts mingle with the
there are creatures in this book ot populate that
weird , the terrifying, and the ridiculous. In collecting
environment.
(cid:0).(cid:0)m(cid:0)o(cid:0)n(cid:0)s(cid:0)~(cid:0)e(cid:0)r(cid:0)s(cid:0) from the past, we’ve endeavored ot reflect the
multifaceted nature of the game, warts and all. D&D WHERE Do MoNSTERS DwELL?
monsters come in all shapes and sizes, with stories that
not only thrill us but also make us smile. If you are new to the D&D game, you might not be
If you’re an experienced Dungeon Master ,)MD( a wef familiar with the weird and wondrous places where
of ;’<ht monster write-ups might surprise you, rof we’ve monsters can be found and fought.
gone into the Monster Manuals of yore and discovered
some long-lost factoids. We’ve also added a few new DuN GE ON S
When most people think of a dungeon, images of dark
twists . Naturally, you can do with these monsters what
cells with iron bars and shackles spring ot mind. In
you will. Nothing we say here is intended ot curtail
the D&D game, the word "dungeon" takes on a broader
your creativity . If the minotaurs in your world are
meaning ot include any enclosed, monster-infested
shipbuilders and pirates, who are we ot argue with you?
location. Most dungeons are sprawling underground
s’tI> your world, after all.
complexes. Here are a few other examples:
How OT EsU SIHT BooK
A ruined wizard’s tower atop a lonely hill riddled with
goblin-infested tunnels
The best thing about being a MD is that you get ot invent
(cid:149) A pharaoh’s pyramid filled with haunted crypts and
your own fantasy world and bring ti ot ,efil and nothing
secret treasure vaults
brings a D&D world ot efil more than the creatures
(cid:149) A lost city in the jungle, overgrown with vines and
that inhabit .ti uoY might read a monster’s entry and
overrun with demons and demon-worshiping cultists
be spurred ot create an adventure revolving around ,ti
The yci tomb of a frost giant king
or you might have an awesome idea rof a dungeon and
A ,yhtlif labyrinthine sewer system controlled yb a
• need just the right monsters ot populate .ti That’s where
gang of wererats
the Monster Manual comes in handy.
The Monster Manual is one of three books that form
THE UNDERD A RK
the foundation of the SNOEGNUD & SNOGARD game,
There is no greater dungeon than the Underdark, the
the other two being the Player’s Handbook and the
underworld beneath the surface world. It is a vast
Dungeon Master’s Guide . The Monster Manual , like
subterranean realm where monsters accustomed ot
the Dungeon Master’s Guide, is a book rof DMs. Use ti
darkness dwell. It is a place dellif with lightless caverns
ot populate your D&D adventures with pesky goblins,
connected yb tunnels that wind ever downward. One
stinky troglodytes , savage orcs, mighty dragons, and a
could spend a lifetime (however brief!) exploring the
veritable horde of creepy crawlies. Underdark and dnif such places as the following:
Guidelines rof creating encounters with monsters can
be found in the Dungeon Master’s .ediuG That book also A mind flayer prison or asylum, filled with mindless
contains wandering monster tables and other goodies thralls and raving lunatics
A lost dwarven necropolis containing row after row of
ot help you use the monsters in this book in interesting
ways, as well as advice rof modifying monsters and dusty tombs waiting ot be plundered
(cid:149) A fortified outpost br -istling with armaments, guarding
creating your own.
If you’ve never run a D&D adventure before, we the way ot a magnificent drow city
A subterranean rift filled with giant fungi and ruled by
recommend that you pick up the SNOEGNUD & SNOGARD
Starter Set, which demonstrates how ot take a bunch of a megalomaniacal beholder or mad fomorian king
monsters and build an exciting adventure around them. (cid:149) A chain of rocky islands on a vast, sunless sea that’s
home ot aboleths and insane kuo-toa
ThE WILDERNESS
Not all monsters lurk underground. Many of them
inhabit deserts, mountains, swamps, canyons, forests,
and other natural settings. The wilderness can be just
as dangerous as any dungeon, particularly when there’s
nowhere ot hide! Some wilderness ol cations are just as
memorable as any dungeon:
(cid:149) A roc’s nest made of shattered ship hulls, built atop a
lonely mountain or rocky llih
A vast arctic tundra that serves as a hunting ground
for berserkers and yeti
A primeval forest protec ted yb treants or corrupted yb
demon-worshiping gnolls
A fog-shrouded swamp haunted yb lizardfolk that
worship a vile black dragon
A jungle island inhabited yb dinosaurs and human
tribal warriors
TOWNS AND CITIES
Some of the best adventures unfold ni the crad les of
civilization. Urban settings afford adventurers the
chance ot rub shoulders with the rich and powerful, butt
heads with the dregs of society , and peel back the veneer
of civility ot see the monstrous evil lurking beneath.
Within a medieval town or city are places as deadly as
any dungeon :
(cid:149) A clock tower that serves as a base rof a guild of
kenku rogues and assassins
(cid:149) A slavers’ den hidden in an orphanage run yb a
rakshasa disguised as the headmaster
A wizard’s academy rife with corruption and practi›
tioners of the necromantic arts
A noble’s manor where rich, devil-worshiping cultists
gather ot perform sacrifices
(cid:149) A temple, vault, or museum watched day and night yb
animated constructs
UNDERWATER
Not all adventures take place on land. This book casts
light on several creatures that haunt the oceans of the
world, from the devilish sahuagin ot the peaceful aquatic
elves who loathe them. Within this aquatic domain are
many surprising adventure loc ations:
(cid:149) A graveyard of sunken ships haunted yb sharks,
aquatic ghouls, and angry ghosts
(cid:149) A storm giant’s coral castle, beautiful yet foreboding
(cid:149) A lost city on the sea ,roolf encased in a magic bubble
of air and ruled yb a medusa queen
A kraken’s cave or bronze dragon’s cavernous lair ,
filled with ancient treasures
A sunken temple of Sekolah , live god of the sahuagin
THE PLANES OF EXISTENCE
The Abyss. The Nine Hells. The City of Brass. Such
faraway places beckon high-level adventurers ot their
doorsteps, defying the brave and the foolhardy ot
overthrow their live masters and unlock their hidden
mysteries. Many powerful, weird creatures vil e on other
planes of existence, from orderly modrons ot murderous
demons. When ti comes ot interesting adventure
A monster’s typel \,,, speaks ot its fundamental '' ' nature .
locations, not even the sky is the limit when you pass
Certain spells, magic items, class features, and other
beyond the boundaries of the world:
effects in the game interact in special ways with
(cid:149) A pit fiend’s stronghold on A vern us, the first layer of
creatures of a particular type. For example, an arrow of
the Nine Hells
dragon slaying deals extra damage not only ot dragons
(cid:149) A haunted castle in the Shadowfell that serves as a
but also other creatures of the dragon type, such as
shadow dragon’s lair
dragon turtles and wyverns.
An elf queen’s tomb in the Feywild
The game includes the following monster types, which
A djinni’s palace on the Elemental P lane of ,riA dellif
have no rules of their own .
with marvelous stolen treasures
A b errati o ns are utterly alien beings. Many of them
A lich’s secret demiplane, where the undead arch mage have innate magical abilities drawn from the creature’s
hides its phylactery and spellbook alien mind rather than the mystical forces of the world.
See the Dungeon Master's Guide rof more information The quintessential aberrations are aboleths, beholders,
on the planes of existence. mind fiayers, and slaadi.
Beasts are nonhumanoid creatures that are a natural
WHAT MoNSTERS TO UsE? part of the fantasy ecology. Some of them have magical
powers, but most are unintelligent and lack any society
Many monsters inhabit dungeons, while others evil in
or language . Beasts include all varieties of ordinary
deserts, forests, labyrinths, and other environments.
animals, dinosaurs, and giant versions of animals.
Regardless of which environment a monster
Celestials are creatures native ot the Upper Planes.
traditionally calls home, you can place ti anywhere
Many of them are the servants of deities, employed
you want. After all, "fish out of water" stories are
as messengers or agents in the mortal realm and
memorable, and sometimes it’s fun ot surprise players
throughout the planes . Celestials are good yb nature,
with gricks hiding under the desert sands or a dryad
so the exceptional celestial who strays from a good
living in a giant mushroom in the Underdark.
alignment is a horrifying rarity. Celestials include
angels, couatls, and pegasi.
STATISTICS
Constructs are made, not born. Some are
A monster’s statistics, sometimes referred ot as its stat programmed yb their creators ot ’ wollof a simple set of
b lock, provide the essential information that you need instructions, while others are imbued with sentience
ot run the monster. and capable of independent thought. Golems are the
iconic constructs. Many creatures native ot the outer
SIZE plane of Mechanus, such as modrons, are constructs
shaped from the raw material of the plane yb the will of
A monster can be ,yniT Small, Medium, Large, Huge,
more powerful creatures.
or Gargantuan . The Size Categories table shows how
Drag o ns are large reptilian creatures of ancient origin
much space a creature of a particular size controls
and tremendous power. True dragons, including the
in combat. See the Player's Handbook rof more
good metallic dragons and the live chromatic dragons,
information on creature size and space.
are highly intelligent and have innate magic. Also in this
category are creatures distantly related ot true dragons,
SIZE CATEGORIES
but less powerful, less intelligent, and less magical, such
eziS capS e E max lp es
as wyverns and pseudodragons.
yniT 2/12 yb 2/12 .tf ,pmI sprite E lementals are creatures native ot the elemental
lamS l 5 yb 5 .tf Giant ,tar nilbog planes . Some creatures of this type are little more than
muideM 5 yb 5 .tf ,erO flowerew animate masses of their respective elements, including
egraL 01 yb 10ft. ,ffirgoppiH ogre the creatures simply called elementals. Others have
eguH 51 yb 51 .tf eriF g i ,tna treant biological forms infused with elemental energy. The
Gargantuan 02 yb 20ft. ro l regra ,nekarK purple mrow races of genies, including djinn and efreet, form the
most important civilizations on the elemental planes.
Other elemental creatures include azers, invisible
MODIFYING CREATURES stalkers, and water weirds.
etipseD the versat i el loc l noitce of monsters ni this ,koob
Fey are magical creatures closely tied ot the forces of
uoy thgim eb at a ssol nehw ti comes to gnidnif the tcefrep
nature. They dwell in twilight groves and misty forests.
creature rof trap of na adventure . leeF eerf ot kaewt na
In some worlds, they are closely tied ot the Feywild, also
gnitsixe creature to ekam ti otni something erom lufesu rof
called the Plane of Faerie. Some are also found in the
,uoy perhaps yb gniworrob a trait ro owt morf a tnereffid
monster ro yb using a airav n t ro tem lp ,eta (cid:0)s(cid:0)u(cid:0)~(cid:0)h(cid:0) sa the Outer Planes, particularly the planes of Arborea and the
ones ni this .koob peeK ni dnim that gniyfidom a ,retsnom Beastlands. Fey include dryads, pixies, and satyrs.
gnidulcni nehw uoy ylppa a temp late to ,ti thgim change sti Fiends are creatures of wickedness that are native
lahc lenge .gnitar ot the Lower Planes. A few are the servants of deities,
roF ecivda no woh ot customize creatures dna etaluclac but many more labor under the leadership of archdevils
their lahc lenge ,sgnitar see the Dungeon Master's Guide. and demon princes. livE priests and mages sometimes
6
summon fiends to tne' material world to do their bidding. ALIGNMENT
If an evil celestial is a rarity, a good fiend is almost
�d�i�~�p�o�s�i�t�i �r�o�n�
A monster's alignment provides a clue to its
inconceivable. Fiends include demons, devils, hell
and how it behaves in a roleplaying or combat situation.
hounds, rakshasas, and yugoloths.
For example, a chaotic evil monster might be difficult
Giants tower over humans and their kind. They are
to reason with and might attack characters on sight,
humanlike in shape, though some have multiple heads
whereas a neutral monster might be willing to Regotiate.
(ettins) or deformities (fomorians). The six varieties of
See the Player's Handbook for descriptions of the '
true giant are hill giants, stone giants, frost giants, fire
different alignments. ,
giants, cloud giants, and storm giants. Besides these,
The alignment specified in a monster's stat �b�l�o �~ �k �'�i�s �·�
creatures such as ogres and trolls are giants.
the default. Feel free to depart from it and' ch'ange a
Humanoids are the main peoples of the D&D
monster's alignment to suit the needs of your campaign.
world, both civilized and savage, including humans
Ifyou want a good-aligned green dragon or ari-evil'storm ·
and a tremendous variety of other species. They have
giant, there's nothing stopping you. '
language and culture, few if any innate magical abilities
Some creatures can have any alignment. In �~�t �h�e�r�
(though most humanoids can learn spellcasting), and a
words, you choose the monster's alignment. Some
bipedal form. The most common humanoid races are
monster's alignment entry indicates a tendency or ''
the ones most suitable as player characters: humans,
aversion toward law, chaos, good, or evil. For example,
dwarves, elves, and halflings. Almost as numerous but
a berserker can be any chaotic alignment (chaotic good,
far more savage and brutal, and almost uniformly evil,
chaotic neutral, or chaotic evil), as befits its wild nature.
are the races of goblinoids (gol:ilins, hobgoblins, and
Many creatures of low intelligence have no
bugbears), orcs, gnolls, lizardfolk, and kobolds.
comprehension of law or chaos, good or evil. They don't
A variety of humanoids appear throughout this book,
make moral or ethical choices, but rather act on instinct.
but the races detailed in the Player's Handbook- with
These creatures are unaligned, which means they don't
the exception of drow-are dealt with in appendix B.
have an alignment.
That appendix gives you a number of stat blocks that
you·can use to make various members of those races.
ARMOR CLASS
-Monstrosities are monsters in the strictest sense
frightening creatures that are not ordinary, not truly A monster that wears armor or carries a shield has
natural, and almost never benign. Some are the an Armor Class (A C) that takes its armor, shield, and
results of magical experimentation gone awry (such Dexterity into account. Otherwise, a monster's AC is
as owl bears), and others ,are the product-of terrible based on its Dexterity modifier and natural armor,
curses (including minotaurs and yuan-ti). They defy if any. If a monster has natural armor, wears armor,
categorization, and in some sense serve as a catch-all or carries a shield, this is noted in parentheses after
category for creatures that don't fit into any other type. its AC value.
Oozes are gelatinous creatures that rarely have a
fixed shape. They are mostly subterranean, dwelling HIT POINTS
in caves and dungeons and feeding on refuse, carrion,
A monster usually dies or is destroyed when it
or creatures unlucky enough to get in their way. Black
drops to 0 hit points. For more on hit points, see the '
puddings and gelatinous cubes are among the most
Player's Handbook.
recognizable oozes.
A monster's hit points are presented both as a die
Plants in this context are vegetable creatures, not
expression and as an average number. For example,
ordinary flora. Most of them are ambulatory, and some
a monster with 2d8 hit points has 9 hit points on
are carnivorous. The quintessential plants are the
average (2 x 4Y2).
shambling mound and the treant. Fungal creatures
A monster's size determines the die used to calculate
such as the gas spore and the myconid also fall into
its hit points, as shown in the Hit Dice by Size table.
this category.
Undead are once-living creatures brought to a
HIT DICE BY SIZE
horrifying state of undeath through the practice of
Monster Size Hit Die Average HP per Die
necromantic magic or some unholy curse. Undead
include walking corpses, such as vampires and zombies, Tiny d4 21/2
as well as bodiless spirits, such as ghosts and specters. Small d6 31/2
Medium d8 41f2
TAGS Large dlO 51/2
A monster might have one or more tags appended to
Huge dl2 61/2
its type, in parentheses. For example, an ore has the
Gargantuan d20 101/2
�h�u�m�~�n�o�i�d� (ore) type. The parenthetical tags provide
additional categorization for certain creatures. The tags
A monster's Constitution modifier also affects the
have no rules of their own, but something in the game,
number of hit points it has. Its Constitution modifier is
such as a magic item, might refer to them. For instance,
multiplied by the number of Hit Dice it possesses, and
a spear that is especially effective at fighting demons
the result is added to its hit points. For example, if a }
would work �a�g�a�~�n�s�t� any monster that has the demon tag.
monster has a Constitution of 12 (+1 modifier) an'd 2cl8
Hit Dice, it has 2d8 + 2 hit points (average 11). r ' "'
7
SPEED PROFICIENCY BONUS BY CHALLENGE RATING
A monster's speed tells you how far it can move on Proficiency Proficiency
its turn. For more information on speed, see the Challenge Bonus Challenge Bonus
Player's Handbook. 0 +2 14 +5
All creatures have a walking speed, simply called the 1/8 +2 15 +5
monster's speed. Creatures that have no form of ground 1/4 +2 16 +5
based locomotion have a walking speed of 0 feet. 1/2 +2 17 +6
Some creatures have one or more of the following +2 18 +6
additional movement modes. 2 +2 19 +6
3 +2 20 +6
BURROW
4 +2 21 +7
A monster that has a burrowing speed can use that
5 +3 22 +7
speed to move through sand, earth, mud, or ice. A
monster can't burrow through solid rock unless it has a 6 +3 23 +7
special trait that allows it to do so. 7 +3 24 +7
8 +3 25 -t-8
CLIMB 9 +4 26 -t-8
A monster that has a climbing speed can use all or 10 +4 27 -t-8
part of its movement to move on vertical surfaces. The
11 +4 28 +8
monster doesn't need to spend extra movement to climb.
12 +4 29 +9
FLY 13 +5 30 +9
A monster that has a flying speed can use all or part
of its movement to fly. Some monsters have the ability SKILLS
to hover, which makes them hard to knock out of the
The Skills entry is reserved for monsters that are
air (as explained in the rules on flying in the Player's
proficient in one or more skills. For example, a monster
Handbook). Such a monster stops hovering when it dies.
that is very perceptive and stealthy might have bonuses
to Wisdom (Perception) and Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
SWIM
A skill bonus is the sum of a monster's relevant
A monster that has a swimming speed doesn't need to
ability modifier and its proficiency bonus, which is
spend extra movement to swim.
determined by the monster's challenge rating (as
shown in the Proficiency Bonus by Challenge Rating
ABILITY SCORES
table). Other modifiers might apply. For instance, a
Every monster has six ability scores (Strength, monster might have a larger-than-expected bonus
Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and (usually double its proficiency bonus) to account for
Charisma) and corresponding modifiers. For more its heightened expertise.
information on ability scores and how they're used in
play, see the Player's Handbook. VULNERABILITIES, RESISTANCES,
AND IMMUNITIES
SAVING THROWS
Some creatures have vulnerability, resistance, or
The Saving Throws entry is reserved for creatures
immunity to certain types of damage. Additionally,
that are adept at resisting certain kinds of effects.
some creatures are immune to certain conditions. If a
For example, a creature that isn't easily charmed or
monster is immune to a game effect that isn't considered
frightened might gain a bonus on its Wisdom saving
damage or a condition, it has a special trait.
throws. Most creatures don't have special saving throw
bonuses, in which case this section is absent.
SENSES
A saving throw bonus is the sum of a monster's relevant
ability modifier and its proficiency bonus, which is The Senses entry notes a monster's passive
determined by the monster's challenge rating (as shown Wisdom (Perception) score, as well as any special
in the Proficiency Bonus by Challenge Rating table). senses the monster might have. Special senses are
described below.
BLINDSIGHT
A monster with blindsight can perceive its surroundings
without relying on sight, within a specific radius.
Creatures without eyes, such as grim locks and gray
oozes, typically have this special sense, as do creatures
with echolocation or heightened senses, such as bats
and true dragons.
If a monster is naturally blind, it has a parenthetical
note to this effect, indicating that the radius of its
blindsight defines the maximum range of its perception.
8
ARMOR, WEAPON, AND TOOL PROFICIENCIES A creature within the area of an antimagic field or in
Assume that a creature is proficient with its armor, weapons, any other location where magic doesn't function can't
and tools. If you swap them out, you decide whether the �~�e �n�d� or receive telepathic messages.
creature is proficient with its new equipment. I
For example, a hill giant typically wears hide armor and CHALLENGE
wields a greatclub. You could equip a hill giant with chain A
monster's challenge rating tells you how great a
mail and a greataxe instead, and assume the giant is
proficient with both, one or the other, or neither. threat the monster is. An appropriately equipped and
See the Player's Handbook for rules on using armor or well-rested party of four adventurers should be able to
weapons without proficiency. defeat a monster that has a challenge rating equal to its
<iiilli level without suffering any deaths. For example, a party
of four 3rd-level characters should find a monster with
DARKVISION
a challenge rating of 3 to be a worthy challenge, but not
A monster with darkvision can see in the dark within a
a deadly one.
specific radius. The monster can see in dim light within
Monsters that are significantly weaker than 1st-level
the radius as if it were bright light, and in darkness as
characters have a challenge rating lower than 1.
if it were dim light. The monster can't discern color in
Monsters with a challenge rating of 0 are insignificant
darkness, only shades of gray. Many creatures that live
except in large numbers; those with no effective attacks
underground have this special sense.
are worth no experience points, while those that have
T'REMORSENSE attacks are worth 10 XP each.
A monster with tremorsense can detect and pinpoint Some monsters present a greater challenge than
the origin of vibrations within a specific radius, even a typical 20th-level party can handle. These
provided that the monster and the source of the monsters have a challenge rating of 21 or higher and are
vibrations are in contact with the same ground or specifically designed to test player skill.
substance. Tremorsense can't be used to detect flying or
EXPERIENCE POINTS
incorporeal creatures. Many burrowing creatures, such
The number of experience points (XP) a monster is
as ankhegs and umber hulks, have this special sense.
worth is based on its challenge rating. Typically, XP is
T'RUESIGHT awarded for defeating the monster, although the DM
A monster with truesight can, out to a specific range, see may also award XP for neutralizing the threat posed by
in normal and magical darkness, see invisible creatures the monster in some other manner.
and objects, automatically detect visual iilusions and Unless something tells you otherwise, a monster
succeed on saving throws against them, and perceive summoned by a spell or other magical ability is worth
the original form of a shapechanger or a creature that the XP noted in its stat block.
is transformed by magic. Furthermore, the monster can The Dungeon Master's Guide explains how to create
see into the Ethereal Plane within the same range. encounters using XP budgets, as well as how to adjust
an encounter's difficulty.
LANGUAGES
EXPERIENCE POINTS BY CHALLENGE RATING
The languages that a monster can speak are listed
in alphabetical order. Sometimes a monster can Challenge XP Challenge XP
understand a language but can't speak it, and this is 0 0 or 10 14 11,500
noted in its entry. A"- " indicates that a creature neither 1/8 25 15 13,000
speaks nor understands any language. 1/4 50 16 15,000
1/2 100 17 18,000
TELEPATHY
200 18 20,000
Telepathy is a magical ability that allows a monster to
2 450 19 22,000
communicate mentally with another creature within a
3 700 20 25,000
specified range. The contacted creature doesn't need
to share a language with the monster to communicate 4 1,100 21 33,000
in this way with it, but it must be able to understand at 5 1,800 22 41,000
least one language. A creature without telepathy can 6 2,300 23 50,000
receive and respond to telepathic messages but can't 7 2,900 24 62,000
initiate or terminate a telepathic conversation. 8 3,900 25 75,000
A telepathic monster doesn't need to see a contacted 9 5,000 26 90,000
creature and can end the telepathic contact at any time. 10 5,900 27 105,000
The contact is broken as soon as the two creatures are
11 7,200 28 120,000
no longer within range of each other or if the telepathic
12 8,400 29 135,000
monster contacts a different creature within range. A
13 10,000 30 155,000
telepathic monster can initiate or terminate a telepathic
conversation without using an action, but while the
monster is incapacitated, it can't initiate telepathic
contact, and any current contact is terminated.
9