| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 16 | +3 | +3 |
| DEX | 8 | −1 | −1 |
| CON | 18 | +4 | +7 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| INT | 2 | −4 | −4 |
| WIS | 8 | −1 | +2 |
| CHA | 7 | −2 | −2 |
Prismatic Gaze (Recharge 5–6). The basilisk projects its petrifying gaze in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in the cone must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is petrified for 1 minute. On a successful save, the creature is blinded until the end of its next turn. A petrified creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. Creatures that avert their eyes (as per the Avert Eyes action below) are unaffected but treat the basilisk as invisible until the start of their next turn. Crystal surfaces and reflective terrain within 30 feet of the basilisk count as secondary gaze sources — creatures adjacent to such surfaces have disadvantage on the saving throw.
Avert Eyes. Any creature that can see the basilisk can use its action to avert its eyes until the start of its next turn. While averting, the creature treats the basilisk as invisible.
Crystal Shards. When the basilisk takes slashing damage, its crystalline hide fractures. Each creature within 5 feet of the basilisk must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or take 3 (1d6) piercing damage from flying shards. This includes the attacker.
Reflective Hide. The basilisk has resistance to radiant damage. When it is targeted by a spell or effect that deals radiant damage, roll a d6; on a 6 the beam reflects to a random creature within 30 feet, which must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or take the damage instead.
Spider Climb. The basilisk can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
Multiattack. The basilisk makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its crystalline slam.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) acid damage.
Crystalline Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) bludgeoning damage plus 3 (1d6) piercing damage from shard impact. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Gaze Redirect (Lair Action, optional). If using lair actions, the basilisk activates a crystal formation on the wall. Until initiative count 20 of the next round, one 5-foot square of crystals within 30 feet acts as a secondary gaze source — any creature that starts its turn within 5 feet of that square and can see it must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be blinded until the end of its next turn.
Shatter Reflex. When the basilisk is reduced to half its hit point maximum for the first time, its hide partially shatters. All creatures within 10 feet must immediately make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or take 7 (2d6) piercing damage. The basilisk then loses its resistance to nonmagical bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage for the rest of the encounter, but its Prismatic Gaze recharge range improves to 4–6.
Description
"Its hide catches your torchlight and fractures it into a dozen tiny suns. When it looks at you, the light bites."
The Crystalline Basilisk is a deep-earth evolution of the common basilisk, its hide encrusted over generations with mineral deposits that have fused with its scales into faceted, gem-like plates. Where a standard basilisk's gaze petrifies in a single direct line, the crystalline variant's gaze refracts through its own body before projecting outward — splitting into prismatic beams that bounce off reflective surfaces and catch creatures who thought themselves safely to the side. Its cavern is a hall of mirrors of its own making: crystals glitter on every wall, placed or grown over years to extend its killing field. Fighting it in the open is dangerous. Fighting it in its lair is potentially catastrophic.
CRAFTING A creature can attempt to harvest a prismatic lens from the basilisk's shattered hide after combat. This requires a DC 17 Wisdom (Survival) check made during a short rest. On a success, the creature recovers one small prismatic lens (uncommon crafting material or spell focus component). On a failure by 5 or more, the lens shatters — unusable. Only one lens can be recovered per basilisk.
TACTICS The basilisk opens from an elevated position or behind a crystal cluster, using Prismatic Gaze immediately if three or more creatures are in the cone. It prioritizes casters and ranged attackers, repositioning using Spider Climb along the cavern ceiling to avoid melee. It deliberately moves adjacent to crystal wall formations to maximize the secondary gaze disadvantage. If reduced to half HP and Shatter Reflex triggers, it treats the resulting chaos as cover for a repositioning move. It does not flee — it retreats only as far as the nearest dense crystal field, where secondary gaze sources give it a strong defensive position.
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