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Bloody Bones

Medium · Monstrosity · CR 3 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Creature Codex

13 (natural armor)

55 (10d8+10)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Monstrosity

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 700

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 11

Skills

Deception +4 Stealth +3

Languages

none, but can speak through the use of its Horrific Imitation trait

Environments

Caves Ruins

Traits

Horrific Imitation

The bloody bones chooses one creature it can see. It moves, acts, and speaks in a macabre imitation of the creature. Its utterances are nonsense, and it can't understand the languages of its chosen target. It maintains this imitation until it dies. A creature that hears and sees the bloody bones can tell it is performing an imitation with a successful DC 14 Wisdom (Insight) check.

Horrifying Aura

Any creature hostile to the bloody bones that starts its turn within 10 feet of the bloody bones must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn. If a creature's saving throw is successful, the creature is immune to the bloody bones' Horrifying Aura for the next 24 hours.

Actions

Claw

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d4+3 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (2d4 + 3) slashing damage.

Dark Stare

The bloody bones stares balefully at one creature it can see within 60 feet. That creature must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on all attacks until the end of its next turn.

Multiattack

The bloody bones makes two claw attacks. It can use its Dark Stare in place of one claw attack.

Reactions

Its Crown Runs Red

When it is hit by an attack, the bloody bones regains 5 (1d10) hit points and has resistance to that damage type until the end of its next turn as life-giving blood pours from the top of its skull.

About Bloody Bones

Bloody Bones is a medium monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 3. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 55 hit points (derived from 10d8+10).

Bloody Bones has communication capabilities including none, but can speak through the use of its Horrific Imitation trait. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Bloody Bones

2 tips available

When using Bloody Bones 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 Bloody Bones

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 Bloody Bones?: Bloody Bones has a Challenge Rating of 3, making it appropriate for parties of level 3.0.
What type of creature is Bloody Bones?: Bloody Bones is a Medium Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Bloody Bones speak?: Bloody Bones can communicate in none, but can speak through the use of its Horrific Imitation trait.