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Giant Lanternfish

Large · Monstrosity · CR 4 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Monstrous Menagerie

85 (10d10+30)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Monstrosity

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 1100

Initiative Bonus +3

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 15

Skills

Deception +6 Perception +5 Stealth +5

Languages

Abyssal, Common

Traits

Chaotic Evil

The giant lanternfish radiates a Chaotic and Evil aura.

Innate Spellcasting

The giant lanternfishs innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 14). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components.

At Will: Charm Person, Disguise Self (humanoid form), Major Image, Misty Step
1/Day Each: Geas, Hallucinatory Terrain, Hypnotic Pattern, Scrying

Actions

Claws

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 4d6+3 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (4d6 + 3) slashing damage.

Dagger

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d4+3 poison damage.

Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage and the target makes a DC 13 Constitution saving throw. On a failure the target takes 10 (3d6) poison damage and is poisoned for 1 hour.

Dizzying Touch

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m).

Melee Spell Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: The target is magically charmed for 1 hour or until it takes damage. While charmed in this way it has disadvantage on Wisdom saving throws and ability checks.

Hypnotic Pattern

(3rd-Level; S, Concentration) A swirling pattern of light appears at a point within 120 feet. Each creature within 10 feet of the pattern that can see it makes a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure the creature is charmed for 1 minute. While charmed the creature is incapacitated and its Speed is 0. The effect ends on a creature if it takes damage or if another creature uses an action to shake it out of its daze.

Bonus Actions

Misty Step

(2nd-Level; V) The giant lanternfish teleports to an unoccupied space it can see within 30 feet. The giant lanternfish can't cast this spell and a 1st-level or higher spell on the same turn.

About Giant Lanternfish

Giant Lanternfish is a large monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 85 hit points (derived from 10d10+30).

Giant Lanternfish has communication capabilities including Abyssal, Common. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Giant Lanternfish

2 tips available

When using Giant Lanternfish 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 Giant Lanternfish

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 4.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 6 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 2,000 XP
Hard: 3,000 XP
Deadly: 4,000 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 Giant Lanternfish?: Giant Lanternfish has a Challenge Rating of 4, making it appropriate for parties of level 4.0.
What type of creature is Giant Lanternfish?: Giant Lanternfish is a Large Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Giant Lanternfish speak?: Giant Lanternfish can communicate in Abyssal, Common.