Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Tarrasque

Gargantuan · Monstrosity · CR 30 · Chaotic Evil

Armor Class
25
Hit Points and Hit Dice
1230 (60d20+600)
Challenge Rating CR
30

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
30
+10
DEX
12
+1
CON
30
+10
INT
4
-3
WIS
14
+2
CHA
14
+2

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Gargantuan
Type Monstrosity
Alignment Chaotic Evil
XP 155000
Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 60 ft (18.3 m)
Swim 30 ft (9.1 m)
Climb 30 ft (9.1 m)
Burrow 30 ft (9.1 m)
Crawl 30 ft (9.1 m)

Senses

Blindsight 120 ft (36.6 m)
Tremorsense 60 ft (18.3 m)
Passive Perception 12

Saving Throws

Strength +19 Dexterity +10 Constitution +19 Intelligence +6 Wisdom +11 Charisma +11

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
fire, poison; damage from nonmagical weapons
Condition Immunities
charmed, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned

Traits

Astounding Leap

The tarrasques high jump distance is equal to its Speed.

Bloodied Regeneration

While the tarrasque is bloodied, it regains 50 hit points at the start of each of its turns. A wish spell can suppress this trait for 24 hours. The tarrasque dies only if it starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesnt regenerate.

Immortal Nature

The tarrasque doesnt require air, sustenance, or sleep.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day)

If the tarrasque fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Magic Resistance

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

Reflective Carapace

When the tarrasque is targeted by a Magic Missile spell, a line spell, or a spell that requires a ranged attack roll, roll a d6. On a 1 to 3, the tarrasque is unaffected. On a 4 to 6, the tarrasque is unaffected, and the spell is reflected back, targeting the caster as if it originated from the tarrasque.

Siege Monster

The tarrasque deals double damage to objects and structures.

Actions

Bite

+19 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 5d12+10 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +19 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 42 (5d12 + 10) piercing damage. If the target is a creature it is grappled (escape DC 27). Until this grapple ends the target is restrained and the tarrasque can't bite a different creature.

Claw

+19 to hit, reach 15 ft (4.6 m). Hit: 5d8+10 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +19 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 32 (5d8 + 10) slashing damage.

Horns

+19 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 5d10+10 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +19 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 37 (5d10 + 10) piercing damage.

Multiattack

The tarrasque attacks with its bite, claw, horns, and tail. It can use Swallow instead of its bite. If its bloodied it also recharges and then uses Radiant Breath.

Radiant Breath

Recharge 5–6

The tarrasque exhales radiant energy in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in that area makes a DC 27 Constitution saving throw taking 105 (30d6) radiant damage on a failed save or half damage on a success.

Swallow

The tarrasque makes a bite attack against a Large or smaller creature it is grappling. If the attack hits the target is swallowed and the grapple ends. A swallowed creature has total cover from attacks from outside the tarrasque, it is blinded and restrained and it takes 35 (10d6) acid damage and 35 (10d6) bludgeoning damage at the start of each of the tarrasques turns. If a swallowed creature deals 70 or more damage to the tarrasque in a single turn, or if the tarrasque dies, the tarrasque vomits up all swallowed creatures.

Tail

+19 to hit, reach 20 ft (6.1 m). Hit: 5d6+10 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +19 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 27 (5d6 + 10) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Huge or smaller creature it falls prone.

Legendary Actions

Attack

Cost 1

The tarrasque attacks with its claw or tail.

Chomp

Cost 2

The tarrasque makes a bite attack or uses Swallow.

Elite Recovery

Cost 1

The tarrasque ends one negative effect currently affecting it. It can use this action as long as it has at least 1 hit point, even while unconscious or incapacitated.

Inescapable Earth

Cost 3

Each flying creature or object within 300 feet falls and its flying speed is reduced to 0 until the start of the tarrasques next turn.

Move

Cost 1

The tarrasque moves up to half its Speed.

Roar

Cost 1

Each creature of the tarrasques choice within 120 feet makes a DC 19 Charisma saving throw. On a failure, it is frightened for 1 minute. A creature repeats the saving throw at the end of its turns, with disadvantage if the tarrasque is in line of sight, ending the effect on itself on a success. If it succeeds on a saving throw or the effect ends on it, it is immune to the tarrasques Roar for 24 hours.

The tarrasque can take 3 legendary actions

Cost 1

Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creatures turn. It regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

About Tarrasque

Tarrasque is a gargantuan monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 30. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 25 and possesses 1230 hit points (derived from 60d20+600).

GM Tips: Using Tarrasque

3 tips available

When using Tarrasque 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.
  • Burrowing Tactics: This creature can burrow at 30 ft. It can ambush from underground or escape combat by digging. Use 'Earthbind' or create difficult terrain to limit burrowing. Consider fighting in areas without soft ground.
  • Regeneration Counterplay: This creature regenerates HP each turn! Players must deal enough damage to overcome regeneration. Certain damage types (acid, fire) may suppress regeneration. Plan sustained damage output.

Player Guide: Facing Tarrasque

3 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.
  • Burrowing Defense: This creature can burrow at 30 ft! It can ambush from underground. Use 'Earthbind', create difficult terrain, or fight on hard surfaces. 'Stone Shape' can seal burrows.
  • Counter Regeneration: This creature regenerates HP each turn! Deal enough damage to overcome regeneration. Use acid or fire damage if it suppresses regeneration. Plan sustained damage output.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 30.

High-Level Solo Encounter:

This creature is too powerful for a single level-20 character. You need 4.0 character(s) at maximum level (20) to face this creature.

Experience Point Thresholds:

  • Medium: 93,000 XP
  • Hard: 139,500 XP
  • Deadly: 186,000 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 Tarrasque?
Tarrasque has a Challenge Rating of 30, making it appropriate for parties of level 30.0.
What type of creature is Tarrasque?
Tarrasque is a Gargantuan Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.

Related D&D 5e Content

Related Creatures