Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Jackal

Small · Beast · CR 0 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Monstrous Menagerie

3 (1d6)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-1

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-3

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Small

Type Beast

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 0

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Passive Perception 13

Skills

Perception +3

Traits

Keen Hearing and Smell

The jackal has advantage on Perception checks that rely on hearing and smell.

Actions

Bite

+2 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m).

Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 piercing damage.

About Jackal

Jackal is a small beast with a Challenge Rating of 0. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 3 hit points (derived from 1d6).

GM Tips: Using Jackal

2 tips available

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

Minion Strategy: Use as scouts or minions for larger threats
Group Tactics: Group 3-4 together to pose a moderate threat

Player Guide: Facing Jackal

2 strategies available

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

Easy Target: This creature is weak - focus on other threats
Group Threat: Multiple can be dangerous - use area attacks

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 2 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 50 XP
Hard: 75 XP
Deadly: 100 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 Jackal?: Jackal has a Challenge Rating of 0, making it appropriate for parties of level 1.
What type of creature is Jackal?: Jackal is a Small Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.