Standing Leap. The bulette's long jump is up to 30 feet and its high jump is up to 15 feet, with or without a running start.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 30 (4d12 + 4) piercing damage.
Deadly Leap. If the bulette jumps at least 15 feet as part of its movement, it can then use this action to land on its feet in a space that contains one or more other creatures. Each of those creatures must succeed on a DC 16 Strength or Dexterity saving throw (target's choice) or be knocked prone and take 14 (3d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage plus 14 (3d6 + 4) slashing damage. On a successful save, the creature takes only half the damage, isn't knocked prone, and is pushed 5 feet out of the bulette's space into an unoccupied space of the creature's choice. If no unoccupied space is within range, the creature instead falls prone in the bulette's space.
Describe the following to your players to provide better immersion - (show, don't tell during their first encounter):
The ground shakes and rolls and then bursts open to reveal a terrible, armor-plated, large bullet-shaped monstrosity with a huge snapping maw and short, powerful legs.
In addition, you might want to allow them an Intelligence - Arcana check to know the following (accumulated - a roll of 25 or above would know all):
DC5 (very easy): attacks with a bite
DC10 (easy): can jump up to 30' to land on and attack its prey
DC15 (medium): does not have any damage resistances nor vulnerabilities
DC20 (hard): does not have any damage immunities
DC25 (very hard): does not have any condition immunities - does have darkvision out to 60' and can sense tremors/vibrations in the ground out to a 60' radius
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Pronounced [boo-LAY]*
*According to Tim Kask, who created the creature way back in the way-back.
Though, in the spirit of Ed Greenwood regarding, for example, they who mispronounce "drow," chalk it up to regional dialect
This is great rick might see how my team goes with one of these next game
I adore Bulettes and use them to represent elemental earth armadillos in my settings.
Yeah I noticed that too. He said he wanted it to sound French. It's a little thing. But it does cast doubt on the Wizards' authority. If you don't know you can always ask.
*SO* this.
It's even been written phonetically in past Monster Manuals. [boo-LAY].
Just faced this for the first time in a one-shot yesterday. I highly recommend it for anyone taking the piss out of the Eldritch Knight's crazy AC potential. I had a Dexterity-based EK with no armor (10 AC). Instead she rolled onto the battlefield with +3 Dexterity (+3 to 13), Mage Armor (+3 to 16), Protection Fighting Style (+1 to 17), a +1 Shield (+3 to 20) and a Shield of Faith daily from Magic Initiate (Cleric; +2 on anyone I chose for 10 minutes, or +2 to 22 AC on me). With Shield (+5 to *27 AC* for a round) as a backup spell if anything but a critical hit got through. Felt justified being cheeky because it was only for a single game, and were I to play her in a real session she'd be caught out of her armor a lot, I think (or prone to having her magic dispelled, which I'm always for).
Having a 22 AC on a level 4 character made no difference against that leap attack. Good thing I had Shield Master (take any attack requiring a Dexterity Saving Throw for half-damage to no damage instead). Bad thing I was using the session to teach new people how holding your Action to use as a Reaction and Improvised Attacks worked. The savage joy on the new Ranger's face when she whipped that Vial of Acid I gave her at the breaching Bulette was worth more than half my health (I chose to ready and throw one too instead of keeping my Reaction for that Shield Master Evasion).
Protection or defense?
Defense
While you are wearing armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC. (Which you do not apply for because you're not wearing armor.)
https://www.sageadvice.eu/2017/11/27/does-defense-fighting-style-stack-with-mage-armor/
or
Protection
When a creature you can see attacks a target other than you that is within 5 feet of you, you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the attack roll. You must be wielding a shield. (which does not grant you additional AC).
What is the correct pronunciation of 'Drow', then? I presume this is like the issue concerning the pronunciation of Mowgli from The Jungle Books' .
So is deadly leap an action to use? The wording is kind of confusing for me
"If the bulette jumps at least 15 feet as part of its movement, it can then use this action to land on its feet in a space that contains one or more other creatures."
Seems to be 15 feet of movement and then action.
This thing is one of the cutest little large monstrosity thing ever. I don't even know why but I want one as a pet.
Actual pronunciation — (boo-lay)
Well, even in French ette can be ay or ete depending upon the consonant or vowel sounds that begin the next word. Honestly, pronounce it as you wish at your table...it should cause no offense to anyone either way, at least not until it swallows someone in your party anyway.
The best reason to play a Mark of Handling Cavalier, Paladin, Ranger etc; eventual Bulette Cowboy. 'Tis a shame that one can no longer Awaken one of these mighty beasts, however.
Since this monster has no aligment, it makes me think about using it like a riding mount.... huh ???
Guess what could happen if I go to a halfling hut ??? .......... xDD
Our dm rolled the wrong encounter table and we almost had to fight one of these at lvl. 1, luckily it didn’t perceive us.
Oo u;iuuu;llljkkmmmm! Jmkikmmmmm i!
In case anyone was wondering, with a little bit of tactics, a bulette, a gladiator, a winter wolf, a phase spider, and a level 7 PC can take down an adult blue dragon pretty easily.