Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Shield Guardian

Large · Construct · CR 7 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Black Flag SRD

17 (natural armor)

139

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

-1

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

-4

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Construct

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 2900

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 12

Saving Throws

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

Languages

understands the languages of its creator and the languages of the wearer of its amulet but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

Construct Resilience

Traits

Bound

The shield guardian is magically bound to an amulet. As long as the guardian and its amulet are on the same plane of existence, the guardian knows the distance and direction to the amulet's wearer, and the amulet's wearer can telepathically call the guardian, teleporting the guardian to an unoccupied space within 5 feet of the wearer after 1 minute. In addition, if the guardian is within 60 feet of the amulet's wearer, half of any damage the wearer takes (rounded up) is taken by the guardian instead.

Construct Nature

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

Construct Resilience

The shield guardian is immune to poison and psychic damage, and it is immune to exhaustion and the charmed, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, and poisoned conditions.

Regeneration

The shield guardian regains 10 HP at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 HP.

Spell Storing

A spellcaster who wears the shield guardian's amulet can cause the guardian to store one spell of 4th level or lower. To do so, the wearer must cast the spell on the guardian. The spell has no effect but is stored within the guardian. When commanded to do so by the wearer or when a situation arises that was predefined by the spellcaster, the guardian casts the stored spell, using the appropriate action required by the spell, with any parameters set by the original caster, requiring no components. When the spell is cast or a new spell is stored, any previously stored spell is lost.

Actions

Multiattack

The shield guardian makes two Runed Fist attacks, or it makes three Rune Bolt attacks.

Rune Bolt

+5 to hit, range 60 ft (18.3 m). Hit: 4d6+2 force damage.

Ranged Spell Attack: +5 to hit, range 60 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (4d6+2) force damage.

Runed Fist

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8+4 plus 4d8 force damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8+4) bludgeoning damage plus 14 (4d8) force damage.

Bonus Actions

Protective Step

The guardian teleports up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space it can see within 5 feet of the amulet's wearer.

Reactions

Shield

When a creature the guardian can see makes an attack against the amulet's wearer, the guardian grants a +2 bonus to the wearer's AC if the guardian is within 5 feet of the wearer.

About Shield Guardian

Shield Guardian is a large construct with a Challenge Rating of 7. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 139 hit points (derived from None).

Shield Guardian has communication capabilities including understands the languages of its creator and the languages of the wearer of its amulet but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Shield Guardian

1 tips available

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

Regeneration Counterplay: This creature regenerates HP each turn! Players must deal enough damage to overcome regeneration. Certain damage types (acid, fire) may suppress regeneration. Plan sustained damage output.

Player Guide: Facing Shield Guardian

1 strategies available

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

Counter Regeneration: This creature regenerates HP each turn! Deal enough damage to overcome regeneration. Use acid or fire damage if it suppresses regeneration. Plan sustained damage output.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 7.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 10 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 5,600 XP
Hard: 8,400 XP
Deadly: 11,200 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 Shield Guardian?: Shield Guardian has a Challenge Rating of 7, making it appropriate for parties of level 7.0.
What type of creature is Shield Guardian?: Shield Guardian is a Large Construct, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Shield Guardian speak?: Shield Guardian can communicate in understands the languages of its creator and the languages of the wearer of its amulet but can't speak.