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Minstrel

Medium · Humanoid · CR 2 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Monstrous Menagerie

32 (5d8+10)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Humanoid

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 450

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

Passive Perception 11

Saving Throws

Dexterity +5 Charisma +5

Skills

Deception +5 Performance +5 Persuasion +5

Languages

any three

Traits

Spellcasting

The minstrel is a 5th level spellcaster. Their spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 13 +5to hit with spell attacks). They have the following bard spells prepared:

Cantrips (at will): Light, Mage Hand, Minor Illusion, Vicious Mockery
1st-Level (4 slots): Charm Person, Disguise Self, Healing Word
2nd-Level (3 slots): enthrall, Invisibility, shatter
3rd-Level (2 slots): Hypnotic Pattern, Major Image

Actions

Hypnotic Pattern

(3rd-Level; S, M, 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.

Invisibility

(2nd-Level; V, S, M, Concentration) The minstrel or a creature they touch is invisible for 1 hour. The spell ends if the invisible creature attacks or casts a spell.

Rapier

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8+3 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.

Shatter

(2nd-Level; V, S, M) An ear-splitting ringing sound fills a 10-foot-radius sphere emanating from a point the minstrel can see within 60 feet. Creatures in the area make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw taking 13 (3d8) thunder damage on a failed save or half damage on a success. A creature made of stone metal or other inorganic material has disadvantage on its saving throw. Unattended objects in the area also take the damage.

Vicious Mockery

(Cantrip; V) A creature within 60 feet that can hear the minstrel makes a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure it takes 7 (2d6) psychic damage and has disadvantage on the first attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn.

Bonus Actions

Healing Word

(1st-Level; V) The minstrel or a living creature within 60 feet regains 5 (1d4 + 3) hit points. The minstrel can't cast this spell and a 1st-level or higher spell on the same turn.

Martial Encouragement

Until the beginning of the minstrels next turn, one creature within 30 feet that can hear the minstrel deals an extra 3 (1d6) damage whenever it deals weapon damage.

About Minstrel

Minstrel is a medium humanoid with a Challenge Rating of 2. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 32 hit points (derived from 5d8+10).

Minstrel has communication capabilities including any three. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Minstrel

2 tips available

When using Minstrel 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 Minstrel

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 2.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 4 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 600 XP
Hard: 900 XP
Deadly: 1,200 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 Minstrel?: Minstrel has a Challenge Rating of 2, making it appropriate for parties of level 2.0.
What type of creature is Minstrel?: Minstrel is a Medium Humanoid, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Minstrel speak?: Minstrel can communicate in any three.