Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Duergar

Medium · Humanoid · CR 1 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Black Flag SRD

16 (scale mail, shield)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

-1

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Humanoid

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 200

Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

Walk 25 ft (7.6 m)

Swim 12 ft (3.7 m)

Climb 12 ft (3.7 m)

Crawl 12 ft (3.7 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 10

Saving Throws

Strength +2 Dexterity +0 Constitution +2 Intelligence +0 Wisdom +0 Charisma -1

Languages

Dwarvish, Undercommon

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

poison, poisoned, Duergar Resilience

Traits

Duergar Resilience

The duergar is resistant to the charmed and paralyzed conditions, and it has advantage on saves against spells and illusions.

Reduce

If the duergar starts its turn enlarged, it can choose to end the effect and return to its normal size (no action required).

Sunlight Sensitivity

While in sunlight, the duergar has disadvantage on attack rolls, and its Perception is 5 when perceiving by sight.

Actions

Invisibility

The duergar magically turns invisible until it attacks or uses Enlarge, or until its concentration ends (as if concentrating on a spell). Any equipment the duergar wears or carries is invisible with it.

Javelin

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6+2 piercing damage.

Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing damage, or 9 (2d6+2) piercing damage while enlarged.

War Pick

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8+2 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8+2) piercing damage, or 11 (2d8+2) piercing damage while enlarged.

Bonus Actions

Enlarge

The duergar magically increases in size, along with any equipment it is wearing or carrying. While enlarged, the duergar is Large, doubles its damage dice on weapon attacks (included in the attacks), and makes STR checks and saves with advantage. While enlarged, it also can no longer use the Invisibility action. If the duergar lacks the room to become Large, this bonus action fails.

Reactions

Shield Wall

The duergar adds 2 to its AC against one weapon attack that would hit it. To do so, the duergar must be wielding a shield and within 5 feet of another duergar that is also wielding a shield.

About Duergar

Duergar is a medium humanoid with a Challenge Rating of 1. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 36 hit points (derived from None).

Duergar has communication capabilities including Dwarvish, Undercommon. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Duergar

2 tips available

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

Mid-level Encounter: Ideal for parties levels 3-8 as solo or small groups
Terrain Advantage: Use terrain to offset moderate combat abilities

Player Guide: Facing Duergar

2 strategies available

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

Moderate Threat: Prepare standard combat tactics
Tactical Advantage: Use terrain and positioning

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 Duergar?: Duergar has a Challenge Rating of 1, making it appropriate for parties of level 1.0.
What type of creature is Duergar?: Duergar is a Medium Humanoid, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Duergar speak?: Duergar can communicate in Dwarvish, Undercommon.