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Returning 35 results for 'before both dwelling combat rating'.
Spells
Player’s Handbook
creature into another kind of creature, the new form can be any kind you choose that has a Challenge Rating equal to or less than the target’s Challenge Rating or level. The target’s game
kind of creature, as long as the creature’s size is no larger than the object’s size and the creature has a Challenge Rating of 9 or lower. The creature is Friendly to you and your allies
Spells
Player’s Handbook
You gain the service of a familiar, a spirit that takes an animal form you choose: Bat, Cat, Frog, Hawk, Lizard, Octopus, Owl, Rat, Raven, Spider, Weasel, or another Beast that has a Challenge Rating
touch, your familiar can deliver the touch. Your familiar must be within 100 feet of you, and it must take a Reaction to deliver the touch when you cast the spell.
Combat. The familiar is an ally to
Monsters
Acquisitions Incorporated
","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Shortsword","rollDamageType":"slashing"} slashing damage.
Change Shape. Portentia magically polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating equal to or less
search of a weapon to aid his captured sister.
Whether in combat or social encounters, Portentia shifts frequently between different forms and mindsets, only some of which are fully humanoid. She fights
Monsters
Monstrous Compendium Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures
False Appearance. If the wurm is motionless at the start of combat, it has advantage on its initiative roll. Moreover, if a creature hasn’t observed the wurm move or act, that creature must
’s skyscraping beanstalks. These beanstalk wurms sport leafy growths, sustaining themselves on a mixture of natural photosynthesis and a carnivorous diet.
Cloud-dwelling giants often use
Monsters
The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
. “I must have Ringlerun’s staff! With it, the League of Malevolence will be unstoppable!”
Flaw. “I trust no one, nor am I trustworthy.”
Combat Notes
Kelek uses Arcane
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
Monsters
The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
dead.”
Combat Notes
Elkhorn’s challenge rating is based on him using Feint to improve his rather weak sword attack. Having been trained in his youth to fight ogres and trolls, he&rsquo
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
. They all hope to ascend to godhood, perhaps recreating or replacing Sardior.
Connected Creatures
Amethyst dragons are generally aloof creatures, dwelling in isolation for long periods of time
Merfolk dwelling near an adult amethyst dragon;adult amethyst dragon's lair are under threat from sahuagin raiders.
2
Clusters of shrieker;shriekers serve as a warning system in the tunnels of an
Monsters
The Book of Many Things
in consumption. Periodically, the Eye of Aurnozci communes with their horrifying master or leads a ceremony of propitiation in the Firehive. In combat, Aurnozci screeches horribly and attacks any
chapter 20 for details about this realm.
The challenge rating of Aurnozci is 23 (50,000 XP) when it’s encountered in its lair.
Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties
Monsters
Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Tulkhesh magically polymorphs into a humanoid, beast, or giant that has a challenge rating no higher than his own, or back into his true form. He reverts to his true form if he dies. Any equipment he
in combat, Rak Tulkhesh roars in rage as new weapons are spawned from his body, called forth by the Rage of War to slaughter all who dare stand before him.
Khyber Shards. Rak Tulkhesh's soul is
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
, whether in conflict or as an ally or patron. Then, additional tables explore the relationships each kind of dragon has to other creatures of a similar challenge rating in their preferred environment
. Use these tables to inspire adventures that feature dragons dwelling alongside other creatures, either as enemies or as allies.
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
.
6
It takes true artistry to maintain a warm, desert-like dwelling under the water.
7
I soothe myself to sleep by imagining the perfect insults for bronze dragons; while I wait to meet one, I
ocean. (Good)
6
Code of Combat. I despise most other dragons, but I meet them face to face without resorting to the base trickery I use on lesser creatures. (Lawful)
Topaz Dragon
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Challenge Rating Challenge Rating is defined in the “Rules Glossary”, while guidance on using CR to plan potential combat encounters is in the DM’s Toolbox. Experience Points The number of Experience
Points (XP) a monster is worth is based on its CR, as detailed in the Experience Points by Challenge Rating table. XP is awarded for defeating the monster in combat or otherwise neutralizing it
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
artistry to maintain a warm, desert-like dwelling under the water.
7
I soothe myself to sleep by imagining the perfect insults for bronze dragons; while I wait to meet one, I hone them on other
Combat. I despise most other dragons, but I meet them face to face without resorting to the base trickery I use on lesser creatures. (Lawful)
Topaz Dragon Adventures
The Topaz Dragon
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual
Challenge Rating Challenge Rating is defined in the Player’s Handbook, while guidance on using CR to plan potential combat encounters is in the Dungeon Master’s Guide. Lists of monsters organized by
Challenge Rating appear in appendix B. Experience Points The number of Experience Points (XP) a monster is worth is based on its CR, as detailed in the Experience Points by Challenge Rating table. XP
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
). Challenge Rating. An NPC built for combat needs a challenge rating. Use the rules in chapter 9 to determine the NPC’s challenge rating, just as you would for a monster you designed.
need an exhaustive list of equipment. An enemy meant to be faced in combat requires weapons and armor, plus any treasure the NPC carries (including magic items that might be used against the adventurers
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
godhood, perhaps recreating or replacing Sardior.
Connected Creatures
Amethyst dragons are generally aloof creatures, dwelling in isolation for long periods of time and rarely cultivating
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook
Challenge Rating Challenge Rating (CR) summarizes the threat a monster poses to a group of four player characters. Compare a monster’s CR to the characters’ level. If the CR is higher, the monster is
. The Dungeon Master’s Guide provides guidance to the DM on using CR while planning potential combat encounters. See also “Stat Block.”
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Challenge Rating Challenge Rating (CR) summarizes the threat a monster poses to a group of four player characters. Compare a monster’s CR to the characters’ level. If the CR is higher, the monster is
. The Dungeon Master’s Guide provides guidance to the DM on using CR while planning potential combat encounters. See also “Stat Block.”
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
Experience Points Experience points (XP) fuel level advancement for player characters and are most often the reward for completing combat encounters. Each monster has an XP value based on its
challenge rating. When adventurers defeat one or more monsters — typically by killing, routing, or capturing them — they divide the total XP value of the monsters evenly among themselves. If the party
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual
-inspiring dragons strive to protect that which is good and bend fate toward a brighter future. Their kind dispositions don’t prevent gold dragons from engaging in combat when necessary, though, and they
exhale brilliant flames and weakening magic to rout their foes. Gold dragons favor grasslands and pristine forests, frequently dwelling near awe-inspiring natural wonders or guarding monuments from ancient
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
challenge rating will help you figure out the monster’s proficiency bonus and other important combat statistics. Don’t worry about getting the challenge rating exactly right; you can make adjustments in
Creating Quick Monster Stats If all you need are simple stats for a monster of a particular challenge rating, follow the steps here. If you want to create something more akin to the monster stat
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
Encounter Building This section introduces new guidelines on building combat encounters for an adventure. They are an alternative to the rules in “Creating Encounters” in chapter 3 of the Dungeon
encounter-building system assumes that, as DM, you want to have a clear understanding of the threat posed by a group of monsters. It will be useful to you if you want to emphasize combat in your
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse
the area’s radius is 1,000 feet. The saving throw DC is 15. As the tremor ends, a young purple worm with 184 hit points (challenge rating 13) burrows out of the ground. Driven into a frenzy by the quake, it attacks other living creatures nearby. It retreats rather than perishing in combat.
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
unpredictability.
6
It takes true artistry to maintain a warm, desert-like dwelling under the water.
7
I soothe myself to sleep by imagining the perfect insults for bronze dragons; while I wait
beauty of the ocean. (Good)
6
Code of Combat. I despise most other dragons, but I meet them face to face without resorting to the base trickery I use on lesser creatures. (Lawful)
Topaz
Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
predictable only in my unpredictability.
6
It takes true artistry to maintain a warm, desert-like dwelling under the water.
7
I soothe myself to sleep by imagining the perfect insults for
the sight of the vast beauty of the ocean. (Good)
6
Code of Combat. I despise most other dragons, but I meet them face to face without resorting to the base trickery I use on lesser creatures
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
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual
Traits A monster’s traits, if any, are features that are active at all times or in certain situations. Running a Monster
To ensure a monster acts in accordance with its Challenge Rating, follow
these rules during combat:
Special Abilities. If the monster has a special ability that deals a lot of damage but has a limited number of uses, such as a recharging breath weapon or a spell it can cast
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
hit points do not decrease thanks to its Regeneration trait. If the characters come to the troglodytes’ aid, the fearful troglodytes disengage from combat on their next turn, flee through the secret
makes an additional three claw attacks as part of its Multiattack action. In its wounded state, the troll has a challenge rating of 6 (2,300 XP). If it regains all its hit points, its challenge rating becomes 8 (3,900 XP).
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Traits A monster’s traits, if any, are features that are active at all times or in certain situations. Running a Monster
To ensure a monster acts in accordance with its Challenge Rating, follow
these rules during combat:
Special Abilities. If the monster has a special ability that deals a lot of damage but has a limited number of uses, such as a recharging breath weapon or a spell it can cast
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
long as the creature’s size is no larger than the object’s size and the creature has a Challenge Rating of 9 or lower. The creature is Friendly to you and your allies. In combat, it takes its turns
creature into another kind of creature, the new form can be any kind you choose that has a Challenge Rating equal to or less than the target’s Challenge Rating or level. The target’s game statistics
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
Special Traits Special traits (which appear after a monster's challenge rating but before any actions or reactions) are characteristics that are likely to be relevant in a combat encounter and that
is always cast at its lowest possible level and can't be cast at a higher level. If a monster has a cantrip where its level matters and no level is given, use the monster's challenge rating. An innate
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)
Special Traits Special traits (which appear after a monster’s challenge rating but before any actions or reactions) are characteristics that are likely to be relevant in a combat encounter and that
is always cast at its lowest possible level and can’t be cast at a higher level. If a monster has a cantrip where its level matters and no level is given, use the monster’s challenge rating. An innate
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Flee, Mortals! Rule Primer
than simply increasing the challenge rating (an approach that often leads to underwhelming encounters), this book introduces action-oriented creatures. A powerful villain needs plenty of
dominate the battlefield. These actions make the boss creatures dynamic and formidable. Whether fought as an exciting solo challenge or alongside a few easy-to-run underlings, action-oriented creatures challenge the characters with dramatic and powerful actions in combat.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver
fixed shape. They are mostly subterranean, dwelling in caves and dungeons.
Plants. Plant creatures, as opposed to ordinary plants, have some degree of sentience and mobility.
Undead. Once-living
. For example, an orc has the humanoid (orc) type. These parenthetical tags provide an additional layer of categorization for certain monsters, but they have no bearing on how a monster is used in combat.
compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
Chapter 13: Building Combat Encounters
When creating a combat encounter, let your imagination run wild and build something your players will enjoy. Once you have the details figured out, use
this section to adjust the difficulty of the encounter.
Combat Encounter Difficulty There are four categories of encounter difficulty.
Easy. An easy encounter doesn’t tax the characters’ resources






