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Medusa Queen

Medium · Monstrosity · CR 11 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Monstrous Menagerie

153 (18d10+54)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Monstrosity

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 7200

Initiative Bonus +4

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 +5 Insight +5 Perception +5 Stealth +7

Languages

Common

Traits

A creature subject to the medusas petrifying gaze makes a DC 14 Constitution saving throw

If it rolls a natural 1 on the save, it is petrified instantly. If it otherwise fails the save, it is restrained as it begins to be petrified. The creature repeats the saving throw at the end of its turn, ending the effect on itself on a success and becoming petrified on a failure. The petrification can be removed with Greater Restorationor similar powerful magic.

Petrifying Gaze

When a creature starts its turn within 60 feet of the medusa and can see the medusas eyes, it can choose to shut its eyes until the beginning of its next turn unless it is surprised or incapacitated. Otherwise, the medusa uses its petrifying gaze on the creature. If the medusa sees its own reflection and doesnt shut its eyes, it is subject to its own gaze.

Actions

Longbow

+7 to hit, range 150/600 ft (45.7/182.9 m). Hit: 1d8+4 plus 2d6 poison damage.

Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage.

Multiattack

The medusa makes any combination of two attacks with its snake hair and longbow.

Legendary Actions

Frenzy of Snakes

1/day Cost 1

The medusa uses Snake Hair on each creature within 5 feet.

Hide

Cost 1

The medusa moves up to half its Speed and hides.

Imperious Command

Cost 1

A creature with averted or covered eyes within 60 feet that can hear the medusa makes a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, it looks at the medusa, making itself the target of Petrifying Gaze if it and the medusa can see each other. On a success, the creature is immune to Imperious Command for 24 hours. This is a charm effect.

Snake Hair

Cost 1

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6+4 plus 2d6 piercing damage.

The medusa uses Snake Hair.

The medusa queen has one legendary action it can take at the end of another creatures turn

Cost 1

The medusa queen regains the spent legendary action at the start of its turn.

About Medusa Queen

Medusa Queen is a medium monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 11. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 153 hit points (derived from 18d10+54).

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

GM Tips: Using Medusa Queen

2 tips available

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

Boss Encounter: Suitable for climactic moments
Multi-phase Battle: Plan dramatic tension with multiple phases

Player Guide: Facing Medusa Queen

2 strategies available

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

Major Threat: Prepare for epic battle
Resource Management: Conserve powerful abilities

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 11.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 15 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 13,200 XP
Hard: 19,800 XP
Deadly: 26,400 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 Medusa Queen?: Medusa Queen has a Challenge Rating of 11, making it appropriate for parties of level 11.0.
What type of creature is Medusa Queen?: Medusa Queen is a Medium Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Medusa Queen speak?: Medusa Queen can communicate in Common.