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Aboleth

Large · Aberration · CR 10 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Black Flag SRD

17 (natural armor)

165

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

-1

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Aberration

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 5900

Initiative Bonus -1

Movement

Walk 10 ft (3 m)

Swim 40 ft (12.2 m)

Climb 5 ft (1.5 m)

Crawl 5 ft (1.5 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 16

Saving Throws

Strength +5 Dexterity -1 Constitution +6 Intelligence +8 Wisdom +6 Charisma +4

Languages

Deep Speech,telepathy 120.0 ft (36.6 m).

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

psychic

Damage Resistances

acid,Aberrant Resilience

Traits

Aberrant Resilience

The aboleth is resistant to the charmed, frightened, paralyzed, and stunned conditions, and it has advantage on saves against spells or effects that would alter its form.

Amphibious

The aboleth can breathe air and water.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day)

If the aboleth fails a save, it can choose to succeed instead.

Probing Telepathy

If a creature the aboleth can see communicates telepathically with the aboleth, the aboleth learns the creature's greatest desires.

Slime Pox

Characterized by the slimy pustules that erupt across the victim's body, slime pox is a disease that infects creatures attacked by an aboleth or that come into contact with an aboleth's slime. Until the disease is cured, the infected creature can breathe air and water, can't regain HP except when underwater, and takes 6 (1d12) acid damage for every 1 hour it remains outside of water or without moisture applied to its skin. Every 24 hours that elapse, the infected creature must make a DC 16 CHA save. Each time a creature fails this save, it views the infecting aboleth more and more favorably, becoming the aboleth's doting and protective thrall after three failed saves.
The successes and failures don't need to be consecutive, but once a creature has acquired three of a kind, it no longer has to make this save, resulting in either the creature becoming a thrall of the aboleth or an autonomous - though infected - creature. Slime pox can be cured only by the heal spell or similar magic.

Slimy Skin

The aboleth is coated in an otherworldly mucus. A creature that touches the aboleth or that hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it must succeed on a DC 16 CON save or be infected with slime pox (see the Slime Pox trait).

Actions

Multiattack

The aboleth makes three Tentacle or Psychic Bolt attacks. If two Tentacle attacks hit one target, the target must succeed on a DC 16 CON save or contract the slime pox disease (see the Slime Pox trait).

Psychic Bolt

+8 to hit, range 120 ft (36.6 m). Hit: 3d6+4 psychic damage.

Ranged Spell Attack: +8 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (3d6+4) psychic damage.

Psychic Torrent

Recharge 5–6

The aboleth floods the minds of up to three creatures it can see within 60 feet of it with random and horrific memories from its eons-long life. Each target must make a DC 16 WIS save. On a failure, a creature takes 49 (14d6) psychic damage and is incapacitated until the end of its next turn, as its mind reels from the torrent of images, thoughts, and memories. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn't incapacitated.

Slime Drain (Costs 2 Actions)

One creature infected with slime pox within 30 feet of the aboleth takes 10 (3d6) acid damage, and the aboleth regains HP equal to the damage the creature takes.

Tentacle

+9 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 3d6+5 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (3d6+5) bludgeoning damage.

Legendary Actions

Detect

Cost 1

The aboleth automatically detects every creature and trap within 60 feet of it, pinpointing the current location of each.

Slime Drain

Cost 2

One creature infected with slime pox within 30 feet of the aboleth takes 10 (3d6) acid damage, and the aboleth regains HP equal to the damage the creature takes.

Swim

Cost 1

The aboleth swims up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

About Aboleth

Aboleth is a large aberration with a Challenge Rating of 10. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 165 hit points (derived from None).

Aboleth has communication capabilities including Deep Speech,telepathy 120 ft.. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Aboleth

2 tips available

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

Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 40 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.
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 Aboleth

2 strategies available

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

Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 40 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.
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 10.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 13 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 11,000 XP
Hard: 16,500 XP
Deadly: 22,000 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 Aboleth?: Aboleth has a Challenge Rating of 10, making it appropriate for parties of level 10.0.
What type of creature is Aboleth?: Aboleth is a Large Aberration, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Aboleth speak?: Aboleth can communicate in Deep Speech,telepathy 120 ft..