before both dealing chance rating

Tree Blight

Monsters Curse of Strahd

);{"diceNotation":"1d6+6","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Grasping Root","rollDamageType":"bludgeoning"} bludgeoning damage at the start of each of its turns. The root has AC 15 and can be severed by dealing 6

cutting them causes the blight no harm. Blight Animosity. A tree blight will often fight alongside other kinds of blights, but it hates other tree blights and will attack them given the chance. Tree

Mummy Lord Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

rigged with traps. Hidden in this temple is the sarcophagus where a mummy lord keeps its greatest treasures. A mummy lord encountered in its lair has a challenge rating of 16 (15,000 XP). Lair Actions

;{"diceNotation":"1d100","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Misleading Result Chance"} chance to provide misleading results, as determined by the DM. If a divination spell already has a chance to fail or become

Gorka Tharn

Monsters Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

mummy lord keeps its greatest treasures. A mummy lord encountered in its lair has a challenge rating of 16 (15,000 XP). Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the mummy lord

vinegar, for instance. Divination spells cast within the lair by creatures other than the mummy lord have a 25 percent chance to provide misleading results, as determined by the DM. If a divination

Diderius

Monsters Tyranny of Dragons

encountered in its lair has a challenge rating of 16 (15,000 XP). Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the mummy lord takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects

drinks are spoiled — wine turning to vinegar, for instance. Divination spells cast within the lair by creatures other than the mummy lord have a 25 percent chance to provide misleading results

Ancient Silver Dragon Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. Change Shape. The dragon magically polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating no higher than its own, or back into its

, and unprotected flames are extinguished. Protected flames, such as lanterns, have a 50 percent chance of being extinguished. Regional Effects The region containing a legendary silver dragon&rsquo

Kelek

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

of the staff's charges, dealing an extra 3 (1d6);{"diceNotation":"1d6","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Staff of Striking","rollDamageType":"force"} force damage for each expended charge. Fiery

Defense to bolster his low Armor Class whenever possible, and his challenge rating is a reflection of the likelihood that he will use Fiery Explosion as often as he can. If one or more of his allies

Ancient Brass Dragon Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

damage or someone uses an action to wake it. Change Shape. The dragon magically polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating no higher than its own, or back into its true form. It

, have a 50 percent chance of being extinguished. A cloud of sand swirls about in a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on a point the dragon can see within 120 feet of it. The cloud spreads around corners

Imix

Monsters Princes of the Apocalypse

immediately after dealing damage to him. Fire Form. Imix can enter a hostile creature’s space and stop there. He can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch without squeezing if fire could pass

","rollDamageType":"fire"} fire damage. Creatures that take fire damage from this effect gain one level of exhaustion. In addition, there is a fifty percent chance ;{"diceNotation":"1d100","rollType

Adult Silver Dragon Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. Change Shape. The dragon magically polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating no higher than its own, or back into its true form

unprotected flames are extinguished. Protected flames, such as lanterns, have a 50 percent chance of being extinguished. Regional Effects The region containing a legendary silver dragon’s lair

Stalagma Steelshadow

Monsters Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. Change Shape. The dragon magically polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating no higher than its own, or back into

flames, such as lanterns, have a 50 percent chance of being extinguished. Regional Effects The region containing a legendary Steel dragon’s lair is warped by the dragon’s magic, which

Staff of the Forgotten One

Magic Items Tomb of Annihilation

(History) checks is doubled. You can’t be blinded, charmed, deafened, frightened, petrified, or stunned. Undead with a challenge rating of 2 or lower will neither threaten nor attack you unless

staff’s skull protects Acererak from this spirit’s vengeance. Each time a creature other than Acererak expends any of the staff’s charges, there is a 50 percent chance that the life

Astral Elf Aristocrat

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

eons, astral elves have clashed with numerous invaders, including psurlons, mind flayers, and githyanki. When dealing with others, astral elves customarily cover their faces with ornate visors, becoming

). The elf has a 50 percent;{"diceNotation":"1d100","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Summon Solar Dragon"} chance of magically summoning a young solar dragon. A summoned dragon appears in an unoccupied

Nilbog

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

another creature dealing damage to the nilbog, the nilbog reduces the damage to 0 and regains 3 (1d6);{"diceNotation":"1d6","rollType":"heal","rollAction":"Reversal of Fortune"} hit points.When

a chance that a goblin will become possessed by a nilbog, particularly if the goblins have been mistreated by their betters. The possessed goblin turns into a wisecracking, impish creature fearless

Darkweaver

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

darkweaver encountered in its lair has a challenge rating of 11 (7,200 XP). Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), a darkweaver can take one of the following lair actions; the

A darkweaver’s web has a 50 percent;{"diceNotation":"1d100","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Darkweaver Webs"} chance of having 1d6;{"diceNotation":"1d6", "rollType":"roll", "rollAction

Baernaloth

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

;{"diceNotation":"1d100","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Summon Yugoloth"} chance of summoning its choice of 1d4;{"diceNotation":"1d4","rollType":"roll","rollAction":"Summon Yugoloth (Mezzoloths

hovering at death’s door. The challenge rating of a baernaloth is 18 (20,000 XP) when it’s encountered in its lair. Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), a

Nilbog Legacy

Monsters Volo's Guide to Monsters

","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Shortbow","rollDamageType":"piercing"} piercing damage.Reversal of Fortune. In response to another creature dealing damage to the nilbog, the nilbog reduces the

is a chance that a goblin will become possessed by a nilbog, particularly if the goblin has been mistreated by its betters. This possession turns the goblin into a wisecracking, impish creature

Sul Khatesh

Monsters Eberron: Rising from the Last War

polymorphs into a humanoid, beast, or giant that has a challenge rating no higher than her own, or back into her true form. She reverts to her true form if she dies. Any equipment she is wearing or

Khatesh understand what forces they are dealing with, or recognize the danger inherent in her gifts. The Queen of Shadows. An entity of shadow, Sul Khatesh can assume any form. Her favored shape is a twelve

Customizing NPCs

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)

have a magic staff or wand, as well as one or more potions and scrolls. Giving an NPC a potent damage-dealing magic item could alter its challenge rating. Magic items, as well as adjusting a creature’s challenge rating, are described in the Dungeon Master’s Guide.

speed of 25 feet and the Lucky trait. Adding racial traits to an NPC doesn’t alter its challenge rating. For more on racial traits, see the Player’s Handbook. Spell Swaps. One way to customize an NPC

Customizing NPCs

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

. Magic Items The more powerful an NPC, the more likely it has one or more magic items in its possession. An archmage, for example, might have a magic staff or wand, as well as one or more potions and scrolls. Giving an NPC a potent damage-dealing magic item could alter its challenge rating.

and the Lucky trait. Adding racial traits to an NPC doesn't alter its challenge rating. For more on racial traits, see the Player's Handbook. Spell Swaps One way to customize an NPC spellcaster is to

Hythonia

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

medusa rising up anew, the last of her shed skin dropping away, revealing glistening, unscarred scales. Fighting Hythonia as a mythic encounter is equivalent to taking on two challenge rating 17

: Hythonia briefly animates creatures that have been petrified by her gaze. Each statue attacks one creature within 5 feet of it, with a +11 bonus to hit and dealing 10 (3d6);{"diceNotation":"3d6

Crook of Rao

Magic Items Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

Ages ago, the serene god Rao created a tool to shield his fledgling faithful against the evils of the Lower Planes. Yet, as eons passed, mortals developed their own methods of dealing with

within 1 mile of you. Any fiend with a challenge rating of 19 or higher is unaffected. Each banished fiend is sent back to its home plane and can’t return to the plane the Crook of Rao banished it

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

they don’t believe they have a reasonable chance of success. This reaction isn’t out of cowardice, but practicality—yuan-ti value their own lives much too highly to risk them when the

get into places their normal forms couldn’t enter. Their immunity to poison gives all yuan-ti a tactical advantage in dealing with other creatures. A pureblood serving as a food taster for a

Ancient Amethyst Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

magic dealing with the nature of the planes of existence, cosmic forces, and distant worlds. They prize treasures drawn from different worlds of the Material Plane, especially magic items and artworks

magical mobility, using flight and teleportation to navigate obstacles in their lairs. The challenge rating of a legendary amethyst dragon increases by 1 when it’s encountered in its lair. Lair

Adult Amethyst Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

in collecting knowledge and magic dealing with the nature of the planes of existence, cosmic forces, and distant worlds. They prize treasures drawn from different worlds of the Material Plane

their lairs. The challenge rating of a legendary amethyst dragon increases by 1 when it’s encountered in its lair. Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the dragon can

21. Animated Ballistae

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

magic bolt of fire (+6 to hit) at a target it can perceive, dealing 16 (3d10) fire damage on a hit, but it can’t attack any creature directly above it. Treat each ballista as a monster with a challenge

rating of 2 (450 XP). The ballistae can’t perceive (and thus they ignore) creatures that keep to the easternmost 60-foot section of the hallway. Once they detect intruders, however, the ballistae

Ancient Sapphire Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

ability to maneuver underground. A sapphire dragon often refrains from striking immediately, preferring to assess intruders first in order to devise the most advantageous approach to dealing with them

stone to come and go. The challenge rating of a legendary sapphire dragon increases by 1 when it’s encountered in its lair. Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the

Creating a Monster Stat Block

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

ogre, give it a Strength of 19 (+4 modifier). Step 6. Expected Challenge Rating Choose a challenge rating for your monster. See step 1 under “Creating Quick Monster Stats” for more information. You will

use the proficiency bonus in later steps, so jot it down now or remember it. Step 7. Armor Class A monster’s Armor Class has a direct bearing on its challenge rating, and vice versa. You can

Training

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

25 gp per workweek. Complications. Complications that arise while training typically involve the teacher. Every ten workweeks spent in training brings a 10 percent chance of a complication, examples

you in rare, archaic methods, which draw comments from others. 3 Your teacher is a spy sent to learn your plans.* 4 Your teacher is a wanted criminal. 5 Your teacher is a cruel taskmaster. 6 Your teacher asks for help dealing with a threat. *Might involve a rival

Showdown!

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

catching up to the dragon before it reaches Ten-Towns. The characters’ best chance of destroying the dragon is to pick a settlement and wait for the dragon there. If the characters saw Xardorok’s battle

to incinerate people and structures alike. It then soars out of missile range until its breath weapon recharges. After dealing as much damage as it can from the air, the dragon lands and begins

Religious Service

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

activity has a chance of winning the favor of the temple’s leaders. Resources. Performing religious service requires access to, and often attendance at, a temple whose beliefs and ethos align with the

representative of the temple. It can be expended to ask the temple for help in dealing with a specific problem, for general political or social support, or to reduce the cost of cleric spellcasting by 50

Exit, Pursued by an Owlbear

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

Exit, Pursued by an Owlbear After the characters have all had a chance to take part in the performance, read or paraphrase the following: The crowd roars with laughter and the festival appears to be

Exam event of the term, any character who aced that Exam has advantage on all attack rolls during this encounter. At the same time the characters are dealing with the owlbear, the other performers and

Xanathar

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

enemies everywhere, and lashes out at anyone it suspects of being a Zhentarim spy or assassin. Adventurers who attract its attention by dealing with known or suspected Black Network operatives are

beholder’s challenge rating. It wears a ring of invisibility on its fear ray eyestalk, a ring of mind shielding on its sleep ray eyestalk, and a ring of resistance (force) on its slowing ray eyestalk

The Ruins: General Features

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a3

) or thunderwave (an area of thunder damage) has a 25 percent chance to cause a ceiling collapse within the spell’s area, dealing 16 (3d10) bludgeoning damage to creatures in the area. This collapse

and glow redly, and any attempt to use natural means to ignite a fire has only a 50 percent chance of success. Fire used as a light source has an effective radius only half normal. A creature takes 3

Creating a Combat Encounter

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

there’s a slim chance that one or more characters might die. Deadly. A deadly encounter could be lethal for one or more player characters. Survival often requires good tactics and quick thinking, and

2,400 4,900 7,300 10,900 20th 2,800 5,700 8,500 12,700 CHALLENGE RATING When putting together an encounter or adventure, especially at lower levels, exercise caution when using monsters whose

A Darkweaver's Lair

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Morte’s Planar Parade

they can weave webs of shadow undisturbed. A darkweaver encountered in its lair has a challenge rating of 11 (7,200 XP). Lair Actions On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), a darkweaver can

or darkness. Darkweaver Webs A darkweaver’s web has a 50 percent chance of having 1d6 cocoons. Roll on the Darkweaver Cocoon Contents table to determine what might be inside each of these shadowy

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