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Iron Golem

Large · Construct · CR 16 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Black Flag SRD
Armor Class
20 (natural armor, shield)
Hit Points and Hit Dice
201
Challenge Rating CR
16

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
34
+12
DEX
8
-1
CON
20
+5
INT
2
-4
WIS
10
+0
CHA
1
-5

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Large
Type Construct
Alignment Chaotic Evil
XP 15000
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 120 ft (36.6 m)
Passive Perception 10

Saving Throws

Strength +12 Dexterity -1 Constitution +5 Intelligence -4 Wisdom +0 Charisma -5

Languages

understands the languages of its creator but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
fire,Golem Resilience

Traits

Construct Nature

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

Fire Absorption

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

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.

Warrior Stance

At the start of each of its turns, the iron golem chooses one of the following fighting stances to adopt, which lasts until the start of the golem's next turn.
- Retributive. The next time the golem is hit by a melee weapon attack from a creature within 5 feet of it before the start of its next turn, the golem can slam its shoulder into the attacker as a reaction. The attacker must succeed on a DC 18 STR save or be pushed up to 10 feet away from the golem and knocked prone.
- Aggressive. When the golem uses Multiattack, it can replace one additional Spear Arm attack with a Shield Bash attack. If it does so, its AC is reduced by 2 until the start of its next turn.
- Defensive. The golem's AC increases by 4, but it can't make Shield Bash attacks until the start of its next turn.

Actions

Expel Poisonous Gas

Recharge 5–6

The golem vents poisonous gas from small holes across its body. Each creature within 15 feet of the golem must make a DC 18 CON save, taking 54 (12d8) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Multiattack

The golem makes four Spear Arm attacks. It can replace one Spear Arm attack with a Shield Bash attack.

Shield Bash

+12 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 4d10+7 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 29 (4d10+7) bludgeoning damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 18 STR save or be knocked prone.

Spear Arm

+12 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 4d8+7 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 25 (4d8+7) piercing damage.

About Iron Golem

Iron Golem is a large construct with a Challenge Rating of 16. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 20 and possesses 201 hit points (derived from None).

Iron 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 Iron Golem

2 tips available

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

  • Boss Encounter: Suitable for climactic moments
  • Multi-phase Battle: Plan dramatic tension with multiple phases

Player Guide: Facing Iron Golem

2 strategies available

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

  • Major Threat: Prepare for epic battle
  • Resource Management: Conserve powerful abilities

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 16.

Solo Encounter:

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

Experience Point Thresholds:

  • Medium: 27,200 XP
  • Hard: 40,800 XP
  • Deadly: 54,400 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 Iron Golem?
Iron Golem has a Challenge Rating of 16, making it appropriate for parties of level 16.0.
What type of creature is Iron Golem?
Iron Golem is a Large Construct, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Iron Golem speak?
Iron Golem can communicate in understands the languages of its creator but can't speak.

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