Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Gnoll

Medium · Humanoid · CR 1/2 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Black Flag SRD

15 (hide armor, shield)

1/2

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Humanoid

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 100

Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 10

Saving Throws

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

Languages

Gnoll

Traits

Heightened Smell

The gnoll's Perception is 15 when perceiving by smell.

Actions

Bite

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

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 6 (1d8+2) piercing damage.

Spear

+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 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing damage, or 6 (1d8+2) piercing damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack.

Bonus Actions

Taunting Bark

The gnoll lets out a high-pitched laugh and taunts one creature it can see within 30 feet of it. The target must make a DC 12 CHA save. On a failure, a creature takes 2 (1d4) psychic damage and must spend its next turn moving up to its speed toward the gnoll and make one attack against the gnoll.

Reactions

Rampage

When the gnoll reduces a creature to 0 HP, it can move up to half its speed and make one Bite attack. If it does, attack rolls against it have advantage until the start of its next turn.

About Gnoll

Gnoll is a medium humanoid with a Challenge Rating of 1/2. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 22 hit points (derived from None).

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

GM Tips: Using Gnoll

2 tips available

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

Minion Strategy: Use as scouts or minions for larger threats
Group Tactics: Group 3-4 together to pose a moderate threat

Player Guide: Facing Gnoll

2 strategies available

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

Easy Target: This creature is weak - focus on other threats
Group Threat: Multiple can be dangerous - use area attacks

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 2 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 75 XP
Hard: 112 XP
Deadly: 150 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 Gnoll?: Gnoll has a Challenge Rating of 1/2, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.5.
What type of creature is Gnoll?: Gnoll is a Medium Humanoid, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Gnoll speak?: Gnoll can communicate in Gnoll.