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Clay Golem

Large · Construct · CR 9 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Black Flag SRD
Armor Class
14 (natural armor)
Hit Points and Hit Dice
163
Challenge Rating CR
9

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
20
+5
DEX
8
-1
CON
18
+4
INT
2
-4
WIS
8
-1
CHA
1
-5

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Large
Type Construct
Alignment Chaotic Evil
XP 5000
Initiative Bonus -1

Movement

Walk 20 ft (6.1 m)
Swim 10 ft (3 m)
Climb 10 ft (3 m)
Crawl 10 ft (3 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)
Passive Perception 9

Saving Throws

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

Languages

understands the languages of its creator but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
acid,Golem Resilience

Traits

Acid Absorption

Whenever the golem is subjected to acid damage, it takes no damage and instead regains HP equal to the acid damage dealt.

Construct Nature

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

Fire Weakness

When the clay golem takes fire damage, its body temporarily hardens like baked clay. Until the end of its next turn, the golem's speed is reduced by 10 feet, it can't use Mold Hand, and its AC becomes 18.

Golem Resilience

The golem is immune to poison and psychic damage and to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks. In addition, it is immune to exhaustion and to the charmed, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, and poisoned conditions.

Immutable Form

The golem is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form.

Magic Resistance

The golem has advantage on saves against spells and other magical effects.

Magic Weapons

The golem's weapon attacks are magical.

Actions

Haste

Recharge 5–6

Until the end of its next turn, the golem magically gains a +2 bonus to its AC, has advantage on DEX saves, and can make a Slam attack as a bonus action.

Multiattack

The golem makes three Slam attacks.

Slam

+9 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 3d10+5 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d10+5) bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage, as determined by Mold Hand. The target must succeed on a DC 16 STR save or suffer an effect based on the type of damage: knocked prone (bludgeoning), pushed up to 10 feet away from the golem (piercing), or its speed is reduced by 10 feet until the end of its next turn (slashing).

Bonus Actions

Mold Hand

The clay golem molds its hand into the shape of a weapon or back into a hand. The golem's Slam attack deals bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage, depending on the type of weapon chosen, until the golem uses this bonus action again. For example, a hand shaped like an axe deals slashing damage.

About Clay Golem

Clay Golem is a large construct with a Challenge Rating of 9. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 163 hit points (derived from None).

Clay Golem has communication capabilities including understands the languages of its creator but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Clay Golem

2 tips available

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

  • Significant Threat: Challenging for parties of levels 5-10
  • Epic Potential: Consider legendary actions for memorable battles

Player Guide: Facing Clay Golem

2 strategies available

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

  • Significant Threat: Prepare spells and resources
  • Team Coordination: Coordinate attacks and defenses

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 9.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 12 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

  • Medium: 9,000 XP
  • Hard: 13,500 XP
  • Deadly: 18,000 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 Clay Golem?
Clay Golem has a Challenge Rating of 9, making it appropriate for parties of level 9.0.
What type of creature is Clay Golem?
Clay Golem is a Large Construct, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Clay Golem speak?
Clay Golem can communicate in understands the languages of its creator but can't speak.

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