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Ghoul

Medium · Undead · CR 1 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Monstrous Menagerie

22 (5d8)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 200

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 10

Languages

Common

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Resistances

necrotic

Condition Immunities

charmed, fatigue, paralyzed, poisoned

Traits

Radiant Sensitivity

When the ghoul takes radiant damage, it has disadvantage on attack rolls and on Perception checks that rely on sight until the end of its next turn.

Undead Nature

Ghouls and ghasts dont require air, sustenance, or sleep.

Actions

Bite

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8+2 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one incapacitated creature. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage.

Paralyzing Claw

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6+2 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage. If the target is a living creature other than an elf it makes a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. On a failure the target is paralyzed for 1 minute. The target repeats the saving throw at the end of its turns ending the effect on itself on a success. If the targets saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it it is immune to any Paralyzing Claw for 24 hours.

About Ghoul

Ghoul is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 1. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 22 hit points (derived from 5d8).

Ghoul has communication capabilities including Common. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Ghoul

2 tips available

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

Mid-level Encounter: Ideal for parties levels 3-8 as solo or small groups
Terrain Advantage: Use terrain to offset moderate combat abilities

Player Guide: Facing Ghoul

2 strategies available

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

Moderate Threat: Prepare standard combat tactics
Tactical Advantage: Use terrain and positioning

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 1.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 3 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 200 XP
Hard: 300 XP
Deadly: 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 Ghoul?: Ghoul has a Challenge Rating of 1, making it appropriate for parties of level 1.0.
What type of creature is Ghoul?: Ghoul is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Ghoul speak?: Ghoul can communicate in Common.