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Archfey

Medium · Fey · CR 12 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Monstrous Menagerie

330 (44d8+132)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Fey

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 8400

Initiative Bonus +5

Movement

Walk 35 ft (10.7 m)

Fly 60 ft (18.3 m)

Swim 17 ft (5.2 m)

Climb 17 ft (5.2 m)

Crawl 17 ft (5.2 m)

Senses

Truesight 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 19

Saving Throws

Dexterity +9 Wisdom +9 Charisma +9

Skills

Arcana +7 History +7 Insight +9 Nature +7 Perception +9 Persuasion +9

Languages

Common, Elvish, Sylvan, two more

Resistances & Immunities

Condition Immunities

charmed, paralyzed, poisoned, unconscious

Traits

Faerie Form

The archfey can magically change its size between Large, Medium, and Tiny as an action. While Tiny, the bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage dealt by the archfeys attacks is halved. Additionally, it has disadvantage on Strength checks and advantage on Dexterity checks. While Large, the archfey has advantage on Strength checks. Its statistics are otherwise unchanged.

Faerie Light

As a bonus action, the archfey can cast dim light for 30 feet, or extinguish its glow.

Innate Spellcasting

The archfeys spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 17). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At Will: Animal Messenger, Detect Evil and Good, Detect Magic, Disguise Self
3/Day Each: Charm Person, Scrying, Zone of Truth,
1/Day Each: Dream, Geas, Heroes Feast, Magic Circle, Polymorph (self only)

Actions

Evil Eye (Gaze)

The archfey targets one creature not under the effect of a faeries Evil Eye within 60 feet. The target makes a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed saving throw the archfey chooses one of the following effects to magically impose on the target. Each effect lasts for 1 minute.

Gleaming Longbow

+9 to hit, range 150/600 ft (45.7/182.9 m). Hit: 1d8+5 plus 4d6 psychic damage.

Ranged Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target. This attack ignores half or three-quarters cover. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 5) piercing damage plus 14 (4d6) cold fire lightning or psychic damage (its choice).

Glittering Scimitar

+9 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6+5 plus 3d6 psychic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d6 + 5) slashing damage plus 10 (3d6) cold fire lightning or psychic damage (its choice).

Multiattack

The archfey makes two glittering scimitar attacks.

Summon Midnight

1/day

Night magically falls over a 5-mile-diameter area lasting for 1 hour. As an action the archfey can end this effect.

The target falls asleep

This effect ends if the target takes damage or another creature uses an action to rouse it.

The target is frightened

This effect ends if the target is ever 60 feet or more from the archfey.

The target is poisoned

It can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns ending the effect on itself on a success.

Weird

(9th-Level; V, S, Concentration) The archfey terrifies creatures with their own worst nightmares. Each creature within 30 feet of a point within 120 feet makes a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure the creature is frightened for 1 minute. At the end of each of the creatures turns the creature takes 22 (4d10) psychic damage and then repeats the saving throw ending the effect on itself on a success.

Bonus Actions

Faerie Step

Recharge 5–6

The archfey magically teleports up to 60 feet to a space it can see.

Reactions

Riposte

When the archfey is hit by a melee attack made by a creature it can see, it makes a glittering scimitar attack against the attacker.

Vengeful Eye

When the archfey is hit by a ranged attack or targeted with a spell by a creature within 60 feet, it uses Evil Eye on the attacker if they can see each other.

About Archfey

Archfey is a medium fey with a Challenge Rating of 12. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 330 hit points (derived from 44d8+132).

Archfey has communication capabilities including Common, Elvish, Sylvan, two more. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Archfey

4 tips available

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

Flight Control Strategy: Target flying creatures with spells like 'Hold Person', 'Web', or 'Grease' to ground them. Without flight restriction, they can escape melee range easily. Consider area denial spells below their flight altitude to force them into disadvantageous positions.
Fire Damage Mitigation: This creature deals fire damage. Advise players to have fire resistance ready or use water-based tactics. Consider environmental fire hazards that could backfire on the creature.
Cold Damage Strategy: Cold-based attacks can slow or freeze. Prepare 'Heat Metal' or fire spells as countermeasures. Ice terrain can be used to create difficult terrain for melee characters.
Lightning Damage Awareness: Lightning attacks often have long range and high speed. Advise players to use cover and avoid metal armor/weapons. Water surfaces amplify lightning damage - avoid fighting near water.

Player Guide: Facing Archfey

4 strategies available

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

Counter Flight Advantage: This creature can fly! Use ranged attacks, reach weapons, or spells like 'Thunderwave' to push it away. Consider 'Gust of Wind' or 'Earthbind' to ground it. Melee characters need fly speed or flight magic to engage.
Fire Damage Protection: This creature deals fire damage! Get fire resistance from spells like 'Resistance' or potions. Avoid fighting near flammable objects. Water spells can counter fire attacks.
Cold Damage Protection: This creature deals cold damage! Get cold resistance or use fire spells. Avoid water surfaces - they can freeze and create difficult terrain. 'Heat Metal' can counter cold.
Lightning Damage Protection: This creature deals lightning damage! Avoid metal armor and weapons. Use cover and avoid water surfaces. 'Iron Skin' or 'Protection from Energy' can help.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 12.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 16 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 15,600 XP
Hard: 23,400 XP
Deadly: 31,200 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 Archfey?: Archfey has a Challenge Rating of 12, making it appropriate for parties of level 12.0.
What type of creature is Archfey?: Archfey is a Medium Fey, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Archfey speak?: Archfey can communicate in Common, Elvish, Sylvan, two more.