Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Shadow

Medium · Undead · CR 1/2 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Black Flag SRD

1/2

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-2

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

-1

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 100

Initiative Bonus +4

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 10

Saving Throws

Strength -2 Dexterity +4 Constitution +1 Intelligence -2 Wisdom +0 Charisma -1

Languages

understands the languages it knew in life but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

necrotic,frightened,grappled,paralyzed,petrified,prone,restrained,Undead Resilience

Damage Resistances

acid,cold,fire,lightning,thunder; bludgeoning,piercing,and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks

Damage Vulnerabilities

radiant

Traits

Amorphous

The shadow can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing.

Spider Climb

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

Sunlight Weakness

While in sunlight, the shadow has disadvantage on attack rolls, ability checks, and saves.

Undead Nature

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

Undead Resilience

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

Actions

Strength Drain

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

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 9 (2d6+2) necrotic damage, and the target's STR score is reduced by 1d4. The target dies if this reduces its STR to 0. Otherwise, the reduction lasts until the target finishes a short or long rest. If a Humanoid dies from this attack, a new shadow rises from the corpse 1d4 hours later.

Bonus Actions

Shadow Bond

One creature the shadow can see within 5 feet of it must succeed on a DC 12 WIS save or the shadow bonds with the target's shadow for 1 minute. While bonded with the target's shadow, the shadow can use this bonus action to teleport to an unoccupied space within 5 feet of that creature, provided the creature is within 120 feet of the shadow.

Shadow Stealth

The shadow takes the Hide action. It can use this bonus action only while in dim light or darkness.

About Shadow

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

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 17 hit points (derived from None).

Shadow has communication capabilities including understands the languages it knew in life but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Shadow

2 tips available

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

Climbing Advantage: This creature can climb at 20 ft. It can use walls and ceilings for tactical positioning. Consider using 'Spider Climb' negation or fighting in open areas without vertical surfaces.
Amorphous Movement: This creature can squeeze through spaces as small as 1 inch! Traditional barriers are ineffective. Use 'Wall of Force', 'Forcecage', or magical barriers to contain it.

Player Guide: Facing Shadow

2 strategies available

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

Climbing Defense: This creature can climb at 20 ft! It can use walls and ceilings for surprise attacks. Fight in open areas without vertical surfaces. 'Spider Climb' negation spells can help.
Contain Amorphous Creature: This creature can squeeze through tiny spaces! Traditional barriers won't work. Use 'Wall of Force', 'Forcecage', or magical barriers. 'Create Bonfire' can block movement.

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 Shadow?: Shadow has a Challenge Rating of 1/2, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.5.
What type of creature is Shadow?: Shadow is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Shadow speak?: Shadow can communicate in understands the languages it knew in life but can't speak.