Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Ghoul

Medium · Undead · CR 1 · 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 Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 200

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 30 ft (9.1 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 12

Saving Throws

Strength +0 Dexterity +3 Constitution +0 Intelligence -2 Wisdom +2 Charisma -2

Languages

Common

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

charmed,Undead Resilience

Traits

Hungry Dead Nature

The ghoul doesn't require air or sleep. In addition, it must consume at least 2 pounds of raw meat every 24 hours, or it loses its immunity to exhaustion and risks starvation until it does so. While it has any levels of exhaustion from starvation, the ghoul can't remove levels of exhaustion until it consumes at least 4 pounds of raw meat.

Spider Climb

The ghoul can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.

Undead Resilience

The ghoul is immune to poison damage, to exhaustion, and to the poisoned condition.

Actions

Bite

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8+3 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8+3) piercing damage.

Claws

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d4+3 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (2d4+3) slashing damage. If the target is a creature that isn't a Construct or Undead, it must succeed on a DC 13 CON save or be paralyzed for 1 minute. The target can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Multiattack

The ghoul makes one Bite attack and one Claws attack. If both attacks hit a creature that isn't a Construct or Undead, the target must succeed on a DC 13 CON save or contract ghoul hunger (see the Ghoul Hunger sidebar).

About Ghoul

Ghoul is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 1. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 34 hit points (derived from None).

Ghoul has communication capabilities including Common. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Ghoul

1 tips available

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

Climbing Advantage: This creature can climb at 30 ft. It can use walls and ceilings for tactical positioning. Consider using 'Spider Climb' negation or fighting in open areas without vertical surfaces.

Player Guide: Facing Ghoul

1 strategies available

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

Climbing Defense: This creature can climb at 30 ft! It can use walls and ceilings for surprise attacks. Fight in open areas without vertical surfaces. 'Spider Climb' negation spells 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 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 Ghoul?: Ghoul has a Challenge Rating of 1, making it appropriate for parties of level 1.0.
What type of creature is Ghoul?: Ghoul is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Ghoul speak?: Ghoul can communicate in Common.