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Skeleton

Medium · Undead · CR 1/4 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Black Flag SRD

13 (armor scraps)

1/4

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

-1

CHA

-3

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 50

Initiative Bonus +2

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 9

Saving Throws

Strength +0 Dexterity +2 Constitution +2 Intelligence -2 Wisdom -1 Charisma -3

Languages

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

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

Undead Resilience

Damage Resistances

piercing

Damage Vulnerabilities

bludgeoning

Traits

False Appearance

While the skeleton remains motionless and prone, it is indistinguishable from an inanimate Humanoid skeleton.

Undead Nature

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

Undead Resilience

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

Actions

Shortbow

+4 to hit, range 80/320 ft (24.4/97.5 m). Hit: 1d6+2 piercing damage.

Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing damage.

Shortsword

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

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

Reactions

Counterattack

Recharge 6

When a creature the skeleton can see hits it with an attack, the skeleton can make one Shortsword or Shortbow attack against the attacker.

About Skeleton

Skeleton is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 1/4. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 14 hit points (derived from None).

Skeleton 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 Skeleton

2 tips available

When using Skeleton 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 Skeleton

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: 31 XP
Hard: 46 XP
Deadly: 62 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 Skeleton?: Skeleton has a Challenge Rating of 1/4, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.25.
What type of creature is Skeleton?: Skeleton is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Skeleton speak?: Skeleton can communicate in understands the languages it knew in life but can't speak.