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Medusa

Medium · Monstrosity · CR 6 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Black Flag SRD

15 (natural armor)

112

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Monstrosity

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 2300

Initiative Bonus +4

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 11

Saving Throws

Strength +0 Dexterity +4 Constitution +3 Intelligence +2 Wisdom +1 Charisma +6

Languages

Common

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison,poisoned

Damage Resistances

petrified,Monstrosity Resilience

Traits

Monstrosity Resilience

The medusa is resistant to exhaustion and to the frightened condition.

Petrifying Gaze

When a creature that can see the medusa's eyes starts its turn within 30 feet of the medusa, the medusa can force it to make a DC 14 CON save if the medusa isn't incapacitated and can see the creature. If the save fails by 5 or more, the creature is instantly petrified. Otherwise, a creature that fails the save begins to turn to stone and is restrained. The restrained creature must repeat the save at the end of its next turn, becoming petrified on a failure or ending the effect on itself on a success. The petrification lasts until the creature is freed by the greater restoration spell or other magic.
Unless surprised, a creature can avert its eyes to avoid the save at the start of its turn. If the creature does so, it can't see the medusa until the start of its next turn, when it can avert its eyes again. If the creature looks at the medusa in the meantime, it must immediately make the save.
If the medusa sees itself reflected on a polished surface within 30 feet of it and in an area of bright light, the medusa, due to its curse, is affected by its own gaze. A medusa isn't resistant to its own gaze.

Snake Friend

The medusa can communicate with snakes as if they shared a language, and snakes can't be petrified by the medusa's Petrifying Gaze.

Actions

Longbow

+7 to hit, range 150/600 ft (45.7/182.9 m). Hit: 1d8+4 plus 2d6 poison damage.

Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8+4) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage.

Multiattack

The medusa makes one Snake Hair attack and two Shortsword attacks, or it makes three Longbow attacks.

Shortsword

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6+4 plus 2d6 poison damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6+4) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage.

Snake Hair

+7 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 1d4+4 plus 4d6 poison damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d4+4) piercing damage plus 14 (4d6) poison damage.

Reactions

Interruptive Hiss

When a creature the medusa can see targets it with an attack, the medusa's snakes can suddenly rise and hiss at the attacker. The attacker must succeed on a DC 14 WIS save or fail the attack roll.

About Medusa

Medusa is a medium monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 6. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 112 hit points (derived from None).

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

GM Tips: Using Medusa

2 tips available

When using Medusa 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 Medusa

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 6.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 9 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 4,200 XP
Hard: 6,300 XP
Deadly: 8,400 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 Medusa?: Medusa has a Challenge Rating of 6, making it appropriate for parties of level 6.0.
What type of creature is Medusa?: Medusa is a Medium Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Medusa speak?: Medusa can communicate in Common.