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Air Elemental

Large · Elemental · CR 5 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Black Flag SRD

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Elemental

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 1800

Initiative Bonus +5

Movement

Fly 90 ft (27.4 m)

Hover Yes

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 10

Saving Throws

Strength +2 Dexterity +5 Constitution +2 Intelligence -2 Wisdom +0 Charisma -2

Languages

Auran

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

lightning,Elemental Resilience

Damage Resistances

thunder,Elemental Resilience

Traits

Air Form

The elemental can enter a hostile creature's space and stop there. It can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing.

Cloud Camouflage

The elemental's Stealth is 20 while in clouds, fog, or windy weather.

Elemental Nature

The elemental doesn't require air, food, drink, or sleep.

Elemental Resilience

The elemental is resistant to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks. In addition, it is immune to poison damage, to exhaustion, and to the grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained, and unconscious conditions.

Actions

Lightning Bolt

+8 to hit, range 30/120 ft (9.1/36.6 m). Hit: 3d8+5 lightning damage.

Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (3d8+5) lightning damage.

Multiattack

The elemental makes two Wind Lash or Lightning Bolt attacks.

Whirlwind

Recharge 4–6

Each creature in the elemental's space must make a DC 13 STR save. On a failure, a target takes 18 (3d8+5) bludgeoning damage and is flung up 20 feet away from the elemental in a random direction and knocked prone. If a thrown target strikes an object, such as a wall or floor, the target takes 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage for every 10 feet it was thrown. If the target is thrown at another creature, that creature must succeed on a DC 13 DEX save or take the same damage and be knocked prone. If the save is successful, the target takes half the bludgeoning damage and isn't flung away or knocked prone.

Wind Lash

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 3d8+5 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (3d8+5) bludgeoning damage.

Reactions

Thunderous Retreat

When a creature the air elemental can see deals damage to it, the elemental can expel a crack of thunder and move up to 15 feet to an unoccupied space it can see. Each creature within 5 feet of the space the elemental left must succeed on a DC 13 CON save or take 7 (2d6) thunder damage.

About Air Elemental

Air Elemental is a large elemental with a Challenge Rating of 5. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 94 hit points (derived from None).

Air Elemental has communication capabilities including Auran. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Air Elemental

2 tips available

When using Air Elemental 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.
Lightning Damage Awareness: Lightning attacks often have long range and high speed. Advise players to use cover and avoid metal armor/weapons. Water surfaces amplify lightning damage - avoid fighting near water.

Player Guide: Facing Air Elemental

2 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.
Lightning Damage Protection: This creature deals lightning damage! Avoid metal armor and weapons. Use cover and avoid water surfaces. 'Iron Skin' or 'Protection from Energy' can help.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 5.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 7 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 3,000 XP
Hard: 4,500 XP
Deadly: 6,000 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 Air Elemental?: Air Elemental has a Challenge Rating of 5, making it appropriate for parties of level 5.0.
What type of creature is Air Elemental?: Air Elemental is a Large Elemental, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Air Elemental speak?: Air Elemental can communicate in Auran.