| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 18 | +4 | +4 |
| DEX | 8 | -1 | -1 |
| CON | 16 | +3 | +3 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| INT | 5 | -3 | -3 |
| WIS | 10 | +0 | +0 |
| CHA | 5 | -3 | -3 |
Lightning Absorption. Whenever the shambling mound is subjected to Lightning damage, it regains a number of Hit Points equal to the Lightning damage dealt.
Multiattack. The shambling mound makes three Charged Tendril attacks. It can replace one attack with a use of Engulf.
Charged Tendril. Melee Attack Roll: +7, reach 10 ft. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) Bludgeoning damage plus 5 (2d4) Lightning damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, the shambling mound pulls the target 5 feet straight toward itself.
Engulf. Strength Saving Throw: DC 15, one Medium or smaller creature within 5 feet. Failure: The target is pulled into the shambling mound’s space and has the Grappled condition (escape DC 14). Until the grapple ends, the target has the Blinded and Restrained conditions, and it takes 10 (3d6) Lightning damage at the start of each of its turns. When the shambling mound moves, the Grappled target moves with it, costing it no extra movement. The shambling mound can have only one creature Grappled by this action at a time.
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Posted Feb 8, 2025Love the improvements here, engulf design is way more consistent. 2014 having to hit with two attacks to auto engulf was swingy. If it did then the player was in most cases KOd and if it missed the then it was a boring beefy mob. Now it will always try to engulf Melle attackers and if they try to run away an opportunity attack may pull them back in! Faster now too so will be much harder to kite this big boy.
Leaning into lightning absorption is a bit weird though it almost seems like a lightning elemental now. Gives it some counterplay though through lightning resistance which probably will play well for the prepared adventurer.
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Posted Feb 13, 2025The lightning absorption comes from the mythology of the shambling mound: a plant struck by lightning (and mutated by it–1960s horror movie style). Agree on the stat block–still makes a great ambush predator but can now more realistically pose a danger beyond the first couple of rounds.
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Posted Mar 4, 2025Typo? "These masses of vegetation rise up to half again as tall as a human and possess thick limbs and a vague head."
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Posted Mar 4, 2025I mean that just means it would be like 8 or 9 feet tall? Which matches up given its size
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Posted Apr 4, 2025"Half again" just means 50% more, or 1.5x
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Posted Apr 18, 2025Typo: Stealth should be +2, not +3?
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Posted May 6, 2025Kinda weird how they leaned into the lightning aspect of it... but then didn't even include the whole "struck by lightning" bit in it's description.
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Posted Jun 5, 2025> Strange circumstances might give rise to shambling mounds, transforming vegetation into hulks with rudimentary cunning. Such conditions include strikes from magical lightning, nature defending itself, or druidic curses.
right from the description