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Khalkos

Medium · Aberration · CR 9 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Monstrous Menagerie

130 (20d8+40)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Aberration

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 5000

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Fly 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 17

Saving Throws

Intelligence +8 Wisdom +7 Charisma +7

Skills

Deception +7 Insight +7 Perception +7 Persuasion +7 Religion +8

Languages

Abyssal, Celestial, Infernal, telepathy 120.0 ft (36.6 m).

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

fire, psychic, radiant

Condition Immunities

charmed

Traits

Detect Alignment

The khalkos can detect the presence of creatures within 30 feet that have an alignment trait, and knows the alignment of such creatures.

Magic Resistance

The khalkos has advantage on saving throws against spells and magical effects.

Psionic Spellcasting

The khalkoss spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 16). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components:

Actions

Chaos Pheromones

The khalkos emits a cloud of pheromones in a 20-foot radius. The cloud spreads around corners. Each non-khalkos creature in the area makes a DC 14 Intelligence saving throw. Creatures with an alignment trait make this save with disadvantage. On a failure the creature is confused for 1 minute. It repeats the saving throw at the end of each of its turns ending the effect on itself on a success. If the creature makes its saving throw or the condition ends for it it is immune to Chaos Pheromones for the next 24 hours.

Claw

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d4+3 plus 3d6 poison damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) slashing damage plus 10 (3d6) poison damage.

Psionic Sting

The khalkos targets a creature within 30 feet forcing it to make a DC 16 Intelligence saving throw. On a failure the target takes 28 (8d6) psychic damage and is stunned until the end of its next turn.

Bonus Actions

Brain Jab

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one incapacitated creature with a brain and an Intelligence of 6 or higher. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage, and the target becomes diseased with brain larvae. Once the khalkos has used this attack successfully, it can't use it again for 24 hours.

Reactions

Telekinetic Shield

When the khalkos is hit by an attack made by a creature that it can see or sense with its Detect Alignment trait, it gains a +4 bonus to AC against the triggering attack.

About Khalkos

Khalkos is a medium aberration with a Challenge Rating of 9. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 130 hit points (derived from 20d8+40).

Khalkos has communication capabilities including Abyssal, Celestial, Infernal, telepathy 120 ft.. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Khalkos

2 tips available

When using Khalkos 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.
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 Khalkos

2 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.
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 9.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 12 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 9,000 XP
Hard: 13,500 XP
Deadly: 18,000 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 Khalkos?: Khalkos has a Challenge Rating of 9, making it appropriate for parties of level 9.0.
What type of creature is Khalkos?: Khalkos is a Medium Aberration, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Khalkos speak?: Khalkos can communicate in Abyssal, Celestial, Infernal, telepathy 120 ft..