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Astral Snapper

Medium · Aberration · CR 3 · Neutral Evil

Source. Creature Codex
Armor Class
12
Hit Points and Hit Dice
78 (12d8+24)
Challenge Rating CR
3

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
12
+1
DEX
15
+2
CON
14
+2
INT
12
+1
WIS
16
+3
CHA
8
-1

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Medium
Type Aberration
Alignment Neutral Evil
XP 700
Initiative Bonus +2

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 15

Saving Throws

Constitution +4

Skills

Arcana +4 Deception +1 Perception +5 Stealth +4

Languages

Deep Speech

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances
bludgeoning and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Traits

Astral Devour

A creature hosting an astral snapper's astral form must make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw each time it finishes a long rest. On a success, the astral snapper is ejected from the host and the Astral Plane into an unoccupied space in the Material Plane within 10 feet of the host and is stunned for 1 round. On a failure, the astral snapper consumes part of the host's internal organs, reducing the host's Constitution score by 1d4. The host dies if this reduces its Constitution to 0. The reduction lasts until the host finishes a long rest after the astral snapper has been expelled. If the host's Constitution score is reduced to 0, the astral snapper exits the host's body in the Material Plane by tearing its way out through the abdomen. The astral snapper becomes completely corporeal as it exits the host, stepping out of the host at its full size.

From the time the astral snapper succeeds on the initial dive into the host through the Astral Plane until the moment it emerges from the host's abdomen, it can be seen by any creature that can see into the Astral Plane-its head buried in the host's back. The astral snapper has disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks and is effectively stunned when in this position until it takes damage.

Actions

Claws

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

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) slashing damage.

Multiattack

The astral snapper makes two attacks with its claws. If both attacks hit the same target, the target must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or its wound becomes a rift to the Astral Plane. The astral snapper immediately passes through, closing the rift behind it. The target is then affected by the astral snapper's Astral Devour trait.

About Astral Snapper

Astral Snapper is a medium aberration with a Challenge Rating of 3. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 78 hit points (derived from 12d8+24).

Astral Snapper has communication capabilities including Deep Speech. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Astral Snapper

2 tips available

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

  • Mid-level Encounter: Ideal for parties levels 3-8 as solo or small groups
  • Terrain Advantage: Use terrain to offset moderate combat abilities

Player Guide: Facing Astral Snapper

2 strategies available

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

  • Moderate Threat: Prepare standard combat tactics
  • Tactical Advantage: Use terrain and positioning

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 3.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 5 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

  • Medium: 1,200 XP
  • Hard: 1,800 XP
  • Deadly: 2,400 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 Astral Snapper?
Astral Snapper has a Challenge Rating of 3, making it appropriate for parties of level 3.0.
What type of creature is Astral Snapper?
Astral Snapper is a Medium Aberration, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Astral Snapper speak?
Astral Snapper can communicate in Deep Speech.

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