Monsters (A)


Aboleth


Large aberration, lawful evil

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
21 (+5) 9 (-1) 15 (+2) 18 (+4) 15 (+2) 18 (+4)

Armor Class 17 (natural armor)

Hit Points 135 (18d10 + 36)

Speed 10 ft., swim 40 ft.

Saving Throws Con +6, Int +8, Wis +6

Skills History +12, Perception +10

Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 20

Languages Deep Speech, telepathy 120 ft.

Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)

Amphibious: The aboleth can breathe air and water.

Mucous Cloud. While underwater, the aboleth is surrounded by transformative mucus. A creature that touches the aboleth or that hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the creature is diseased for 1d4 hours. The diseased creature can breathe only underwater.

Probing Telepathy. If a creature communicates telepathically with the aboleth, the aboleth learns the creature’s greatest desires if the aboleth can see the creature.

Actions

Multiattack: The aboleth makes three tentacle attacks.

Tentacle: Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or become diseased. The disease has no effect for 1 minute and can be removed by any magic that cures disease. After 1 minute, the diseased creature’s skin becomes translucent and slimy, the creature can’t regain hit points unless it is underwater, and the disease can be removed only by heal or another disease-curing spell of 6th level or higher. When the creature is outside a body of water, it takes 6 (1d12) acid damage every 10 minutes unless moisture is applied to the skin before 10 minutes have passed.

Tail: Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft. one target. Hit: 15 (3d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage.

Enslave (3/Day). The aboleth targets one creature it can see within 30 feet of it. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be magically charmed by the aboleth until the aboleth dies or until it is on a different plane of existence from the target. The charmed target is under the aboleth’s control and can’t take reactions, and the aboleth and the target can communicate telepathically with each other over any distance.

Whenever the charmed target takes damage, the target can repeat the saving throw. On a success, the effect ends. No more than once every 24 hours, the target can also repeat the saving throw when it is at least 1 mile away from the aboleth.

Legendary Actions

The aboleth can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The aboleth regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

Detect. The aboleth makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.

Tail Swipe. The aboleth makes one tail attack.

Psychic Drain (Costs 2 Actions). One creature charmed by the aboleth takes 10 (3d6) psychic damage, and the aboleth regains hit points equal to the damage the creature takes.

Angels

Deva

Medium celestial, lawful good

Armor Class 17 (natural armor)

Hit Points 136 (16d8 + 64)

Speed 30 ft., fly 90 ft.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

18 (+4)

18 (+4)

18 (+4)

17 (+3)

20 (+5)

20 (+5)

Saving Throws Wis +9, Cha +9

Skills Insight +9, Perception +9

Damage Resistances radiant; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened

Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 19

Languages all, telepathy 120 ft.

Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)

Angelic Weapons. The deva’s weapon attacks are magical. When the deva hits with any weapon, the weapon deals an extra 4d8 radiant damage (included in the attack).

Innate Spellcasting: The deva’s spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 17). The deva can innately cast the following spells, requiring only verbal components:

At willdetect evil and good

1/day each: communeraise dead

Magic Resistance: The deva has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Actions

Multiattack: The deva makes two melee attacks.

Mace: Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage plus 18 (4d8) radiant damage.

Healing Touch (3/Day). The deva touches another creature. The target magically regains 20 (4d8 + 2) hit points and is freed from any curse, disease, poison, blindness, or deafness.

Change Shape. The deva magically polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating equal to or less than its own, or back into its true form. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying is absorbed or borne by the new form (the deva’s choice).

In a new form, the deva retains its game statistics and ability to speak, but its AC, movement modes, Strength, Dexterity, and special senses are replaced by those of the new form, and it gains any statistics and capabilities (except class features, legendary actions, and lair actions) that the new form has but that it lacks.

Planetar

Large celestial, lawful good

Armor Class 19 (natural armor)

Hit Points 200 (16d10 + 112)

Speed 40 ft., fly 120 ft.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

24 (+7)

20 (+5)

24 (+7)

19 (+4)

22 (+6)

25 (+7)

Saving Throws Con +12, Wis +11, Cha +12

Skills Perception +11

Damage Resistances radiant; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened; Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 21; Languages all, telepathy 120 ft.

Challenge 16 (15,000 XP)

Angelic Weapons. The planetar’s weapon attacks are magical. When the planetar hits with any weapon, the weapon deals an extra 5d8 radiant damage (included in the attack).

Divine Awareness. The planetar knows if it hears a lie.

Innate Spellcasting: The planetar’s spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 20). The planetar can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At willdetect evil and goodinvisibility (self only) 3/day each: blade barrierdispel evil and goodflame strike, raise dead

1/day each: communecontrol weatherinsect plague

Magic Resistance: The planetar has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Actions

Multiattack: The planetar makes two melee attacks.

Greatsword: Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (4d6 + 7) slashing damage plus 22 (5d8) radiant damage.

Healing Touch (4/Day). The planetar touches another creature. The target magically regains 30 (6d8 + 3) hit points and is freed from any curse, disease, poison, blindness, or deafness.

Solar

Large celestial, lawful good

Armor Class 21 (natural armor)

Hit Points 243 (18d10 + 144)

Speed 50 ft., fly 150 ft.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

26 (+8)

22 (+6)

26 (+8)

25 (+7)

25 (+7)

30 (+10)

Saving Throws Int +14, Wis +14, Cha +17

Skills Perception +14

Damage Resistances radiant; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Damage Immunities necrotic, poison

Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned

Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 24

Languages all, telepathy 120 ft.

Challenge 21 (33,000 XP)

Angelic Weapons. The solar’s weapon attacks are magical. When the solar hits with any weapon, the weapon deals an extra 6d8 radiant damage (included in the attack).

Divine Awareness. The solar knows if it hears a lie.

Innate Spellcasting: The solar’s spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 25). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At willdetect evil and goodinvisibility (self only) 3/day each: blade barrierdispel evil and good, resurrection

1/day each: communecontrol weather

Magic Resistance: The solar has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Actions

Multiattack: The solar makes two greatsword attacks.

Greatsword: Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (4d6 + 8) slashing damage plus 27 (6d8) radiant damage.

Slaying Longbow: Ranged Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) piercing damage plus 27 (6d8) radiant damage. If the target is a creature that has 100 hit points or fewer, it must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or die.

Flying Sword. The solar releases its greatsword to hover magically in an unoccupied space within 5 feet of it. If the solar can see the sword, the solar can mentally command it as a bonus action to fly up to 50 feet and either make one attack against a target or return to the solar’s hands. If the hovering sword is targeted by any effect, the solar is considered to be holding it. The hovering sword falls if the solar dies.

Healing Touch (4/Day). The solar touches another creature. The target magically regains 40 (8d8 + 4) hit points and is freed from any curse, disease, poison, blindness, or deafness.

Legendary Actions

The solar can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The solar regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

Teleport. The solar magically teleports, along with any equipment it is wearing or carrying, up to 120 feet to an unoccupied space it can see.

Searing Burst (Costs 2 Actions). The solar emits magical, divine energy. Each creature of its choice in a 10-foot radius must make a DC 23 Dexterity saving throw, taking 14 (4d6) fire damage plus 14 (4d6) radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Blinding Gaze (Costs 3 Actions): The solar targets one creature it can see within 30 feet of it. If the target can see it, the target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be blinded until magic such as the lesser restoration spell removes the blindness.

Adherer

Medium aberration, lawful evil

Armor Class 13 (natural armor)

Hit Points 45 (7d8+14)

Speed 30 ft.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

26 (+8)

14 (+2)

12 (+1)

14 (+2)

4 (-3)

11 (-1)

Saving Throws

Skills Stealth +3

Senses Darkvision 60 ft.; Languages Common (understands but can’t speak); Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Vulnerability fire damage

Initiative +1

Multiattack: The adherer slams twice.

Melee Attack—Slam: +4 to hit (reach 5 ft.; one creature). Hit: 1d8 + 2 bludgeoning damage, and the target creature is grappled and restrained (see Adhesive).

Adhesive: An adherer exudes a sour smelling, gluelike substance that is a powerful adhesive. Any creatures or items that touch it, except for items made of stone, become stuck to the adherer. The adherer automatically grapples and restrains any creature it hits with its slam attack. It can grapple up to two opponents at one time. Grappling does not reduce the adherer’s number of attacks. Creatures grappled this way can break free with a successful DC 15 Str check.

A weapon that strikes an adherer is stuck to the creature unless the wielder succeeds on a DC 12 Dex saving throw. Pulling a stuck weapon free requires a successful DC 12 Str check.

Boiling water thrown on the adherer deals 1d6 points of damage to it and to any creature grappled by the adherer. It also grants tactical advantage on Dex saving throws and Str checks to free a weapon or to escape from the adherer’s grapple; this bonus lasts for one round.

Inflicting fire damage on the adherer also weakens the adhesive, granting tactical advantage on Dex saving throws and Str checks for 1d3 rounds. Universal solvent dissolves the adhesive instantly. An adherer can dissolve its adhesive at will, and the substance breaks down naturally one hour after the creature dies.

Environment: Temperate forests and subterranean

Organization: Solitary or gang (2–4)

This creature appears to be a withered humanoid wrapped in decaying bandages. Upon close inspection, what appeared to be bandages are actually loose folds of the creature’s rotting skin. A sour odor fills the air around the creature.

Adherers are strange creatures found in forests and extensive cavern networks. They stand 6 feet tall, weigh about 200 pounds, and closely resemble mummies.

The difference is obvious on close inspection, but from more than 10 feet away, a successful DC 20 Int (Nature) check is needed to discern the difference. They are not in fact related to mummies, nor are they undead. Adherers are malign, living creatures that attack just about any other creature they encounter.

Adherers always attack from ambush. When lying in wait, an adherer covers its body with leaves, sticks, or other natural debris to blend with its surroundings. When prey wanders too close, the adherer springs to the attack. In this type of ambush, adherers always have tactical advantage on their Stealth checks to determine surprise (+5). They are cowardly creatures, however, and if spotted before they can spring their ambush, they flee.

Credit

The Adherer originally appeared in the First Edition Fiend Folio (© TSR/Wizards of the Coast, 1981) and is used by permission.

Copyright Notice

Authors Scott Greene and Clark Peterson, based on original material by Guy Shearer.

Animated Object: Animated Armor

Medium construct, unaligned

Armor Class 18 (natural armor)

Hit Points 33 (6d8 + 6)

Speed 25 ft.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

14 (+2)

11 (+0)

13 (+1)

1 (-5)

3 (-4)

1 (-5)

Damage Immunities poison, psychic

Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned

Senses blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius), passive Perception 6

Languages —

Challenge 1 (200 XP)

Antimagic Susceptibility. The armor is incapacitated while in the area of an antimagic field. If targeted by dispel magic, the armor must succeed on a Constitution saving throw against the caster’s spell save DC or fall unconscious for 1 minute.

False Appearance. While the armor remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from a normal suit of armor.

Actions

Multiattack: The armor makes two melee attacks.

Slam: Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) bludgeoning damage.

Animated Object: Flying Sword

Small construct, unaligned

Armor Class 17 (natural armor)

Hit Points 17 (5d6)

Speed 0 ft., fly 50 ft. (hover)

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

12 (+1)

15 (+2)

11 (+0)

1 (-5)

5 (-3)

1 (-5)

Saving Throws Dex +4

Damage Immunities poison, psychic

Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned

Senses blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius), passive Perception 7

Languages —

Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)

Antimagic Susceptibility. The sword is incapacitated while in the area of an antimagic field. If targeted by dispel magic, the sword must succeed on a Constitution saving throw against the caster’s spell save DC or fall unconscious for 1 minute.

False Appearance. While the sword remains motionless and isn’t flying, it is indistinguishable from a normal sword.

Actions

Longsword: Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d8 + 1) slashing damage.

Animated Object: Rug of Smothering

Large construct, unaligned

Armor Class 12

Hit Points 33 (6d10)

Speed 10 ft.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

17 (+3)

14 (+2)

10 (+0)

1 (-5)

3 (-4)

1 (-5)

Damage Immunities poison, psychic

Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned

Senses blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius), passive Perception 6

Languages —

Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Antimagic Susceptibility. The rug is incapacitated while in the area of an antimagic field. If targeted by dispel magic, the rug must succeed on a Constitution saving throw against the caster’s spell save DC or fall unconscious for 1 minute.

Damage Transfer. While it is grappling a creature, the rug takes only half the damage dealt to it, and the creature grappled by the rug takes the other half.

False Appearance. While the rug remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from a normal rug.

Actions

Smother: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one Medium or smaller creature. Hit: The creature is grappled (escape DC 13). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, blinded, and at risk of suffocating, and the rug can’t smother another target. In addition, at the start of each of the target’s turns, the target takes 10 (2d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage.

Ankheg

Large monstrosity, unaligned

Armor Class 14 (natural armor), 11 while prone

Hit Points 39 (6d10 + 6)

Speed 30 ft., burrow 10 ft.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

17 (+3)

11 (+0)

13 (+1)

1 (-5)

13 (+1)

6 (-2)

Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft., passive Perception 11

Languages —

Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Actions

Bite Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage plus 3 (1d6) acid damage. If the target is a Large or smaller creature, it is grappled (escape DC 13). Until this grapple ends, the ankheg can bite only the grappled creature and has advantage on attack rolls to do so.

Acid Spray (Recharge 6). The ankheg spits acid in a line that is 30 feet long and 5 feet wide, provided that it has no creature grappled. Each creature in that line must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw, taking 10 (3d6) acid damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Azer

Medium elemental, lawful neutral

Armor Class 17 (natural armor, shield)

Hit Points 39 (6d8 + 12)

Speed 30 ft.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

17 (+3)

12 (+1)

15 (+2)

12 (+1)

13 (+1)

10 (+0)

Saving Throws Con +4

Damage Immunities fire, poison Condition Immunities poisoned; Senses passive Perception 11; Languages Ignan

Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Heated Body. A creature that touches the azer or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes 5 (1d10) fire damage.

Heated Weapons. When the azer hits with a metal melee weapon, it deals an extra 3 (1d6) fire damage (included in the attack).

Illumination. The azer sheds bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet.

Actions

Warhammer: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) bludgeoning damage, or 8 (1d10 + 3) bludgeoning damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack, plus 3 (1d6) fire damage.