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Shadow

Medium · Undead · CR 1 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Monstrous Menagerie

18 (4d8)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-2

DEX

CON

INT

-1

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 200

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

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 10

Skills

Stealth +4

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

necrotic, poison

Damage Resistances

acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder; damage from nonmagical weapons

Damage Vulnerabilities

radiant

Condition Immunities

charmed, fatigue, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained

Traits

Amorphous

The shadow can pass through an opening as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing.

Sunlight Weakness

While in sunlight, the shadow has disadvantage on attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws.

Undead Nature

A shadow doesnt require air, sustenance, or sleep.

Actions

Claw

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+2 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) necrotic damage and the target makes a DC 12 Constitution saving throw. On a failure the target is cursed until it finishes a short or long rest or is the subject of remove curse or a similar spell. While cursed the target makes attack rolls Strength checks and Strength saving throws with disadvantage. If the target dies while cursed a new undead shadow rises from the corpse in 1d4 hours the corpse no longer casts a natural shadow and the target can't be raised from the dead until the new shadow is destroyed.

Bonus Actions

Shadow Sneak

The shadow takes the Hide action even if obscured only by dim light or darkness.

About Shadow

Shadow is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 1. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 18 hit points (derived from 4d8).

GM Tips: Using Shadow

1 tips available

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

Amorphous Movement: This creature can squeeze through spaces as small as 1 inch! Traditional barriers are ineffective. Use 'Wall of Force', 'Forcecage', or magical barriers to contain it.

Player Guide: Facing Shadow

1 strategies available

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

Contain Amorphous Creature: This creature can squeeze through tiny spaces! Traditional barriers won't work. Use 'Wall of Force', 'Forcecage', or magical barriers. 'Create Bonfire' can block movement.

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

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 200 XP
Hard: 300 XP
Deadly: 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 Shadow?: Shadow has a Challenge Rating of 1, making it appropriate for parties of level 1.0.
What type of creature is Shadow?: Shadow is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.