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Ancient Aboleth

Huge · Aberration · CR 11 · Chaotic Evil

Armor Class
17
Hit Points and Hit Dice
342 (36d10+144)
Challenge Rating CR
11

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
20
+5
DEX
12
+1
CON
18
+4
INT
20
+5
WIS
20
+5
CHA
18
+4

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Huge
Type Aberration
Alignment Chaotic Evil
XP 7200
Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 10 ft (3 m)
Swim 40 ft (12.2 m)
Climb 5 ft (1.5 m)
Crawl 5 ft (1.5 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)
Blindsight 30 ft (9.1 m)
Passive Perception 15

Saving Throws

Dexterity +5 Constitution +8 Intelligence +9 Wisdom +9

Skills

Deception +8 History +9 Stealth +5

Languages

Deep Speech, telepathy 120.0 ft (36.6 m).

Traits

Amphibious

The aboleth can breathe air and water.

Innate Spellcasting

The aboleths spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 16). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components:
- 3/Day Each: Detect Thoughts (range 120 ft), Project Image (range 1 mile), Phantasmal Force

Actions

Multiattack

The aboleth attacks three times with its tentacle.

Slimy Cloud

1/day

While underwater the aboleth exudes a cloud of inky slime in a 30-foot-radius sphere. Each non-aboleth creature in the area when the cloud appears makes a DC 16 Constitution saving throw. On a failure it takes 44 (8d10) poison damage and is poisoned for 1 minute. The slime extends around corners and the area is heavily obscured for 1 minute or until a strong current dissipates the cloud.

Tentacle

+9 to hit, reach 15 ft (4.6 m). Hit: 4d6+5 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (4d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage. The aboleth can choose instead to deal 0 damage. If the target is a creature it makes a DC 16 Constitution saving throw. On a failure it contracts a disease called the Sea Change. On a success it is immune to this disease for 24 hours. While affected by this disease the target has disadvantage on Wisdom saving throws. After 1 hour the target grows gills it can breathe water its skin becomes slimy and it begins to suffocate if it goes 12 hours without being immersed in water for at least 1 hour. This disease can be removed with a disease-removing spell cast with at least a 4th-level spell slot and it ends 24 hours after the aboleth dies.

Legendary Actions

Baleful Charm

Cost 2

The aboleth targets one creature within 60 feet that has contracted Sea Change. The target makes a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, it is magically charmed by the aboleth until the aboleth dies. The target can repeat this saving throw every 24 hours and when it takes damage from the aboleth or the aboleths allies. While charmed in this way, the target can communicate telepathically with the aboleth over any distance and it follows the aboleths orders.

Elite Recovery

Cost 1

The aboleth ends one negative effect currently affecting it. It can use this action as long as it has at least 1 hit point, even while unconscious or incapacitated.

Look Upon My Works

1/day Cost 1

Each creature within 90 feet makes a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, the creature sees a fragmentary vision of the aboleths memories, taking 33 (6d10) psychic damage. After taking the damage, the creature forgets the vision, but it may learn one piece of lore.

Lunging Attack

Cost 1

The aboleth moves up to its swim speed without provoking opportunity attacks and makes a tentacle attack.

Move

Cost 1

The aboleth moves up to its swim speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

Soul Drain

Cost 2

One creature charmed by the aboleth takes 22 (4d10) psychic damage, and the aboleth regains hit points equal to the damage dealt.

Telepathic Summon

Cost 1

One creature within 90 feet makes a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, it must use its reaction, if available, to move up to its speed toward the aboleth by the most direct route that avoids hazards, not avoiding opportunity attacks. This is a magical charm effect.

The aboleth can take 2 legendary actions

Cost 1

Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creatures turn. It regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

About Ancient Aboleth

Ancient Aboleth is a huge aberration with a Challenge Rating of 11. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 342 hit points (derived from 36d10+144).

Ancient Aboleth has communication capabilities including Deep Speech, telepathy 120 ft.. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Ancient Aboleth

2 tips available

When using Ancient Aboleth in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

  • Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 40 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.
  • Telepathic Communication: This creature can communicate telepathically, making it excellent for coordination with allies. Silence spells won't stop its communication. Consider 'Mind Blank' or abilities that block telepathy.

Player Guide: Facing Ancient Aboleth

2 strategies available

When your party encounters this creature, keep these strategies in mind:

  • Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 40 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.
  • Telepathy Awareness: This creature communicates telepathically! It can coordinate with allies silently. Silence won't stop it. Use 'Mind Blank' or abilities that block telepathy. Be cautious of mental attacks.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 11.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 15 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

  • Medium: 13,200 XP
  • Hard: 19,800 XP
  • Deadly: 26,400 XP

Based on D&D 5e Dungeon Master's Guide encounter building guidelines. CR roughly equals party level for medium encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the challenge rating of Ancient Aboleth?
Ancient Aboleth has a Challenge Rating of 11, making it appropriate for parties of level 11.0.
What type of creature is Ancient Aboleth?
Ancient Aboleth is a Huge Aberration, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Ancient Aboleth speak?
Ancient Aboleth can communicate in Deep Speech, telepathy 120 ft..

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