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Corpse Thief

Medium · Humanoid · CR 1/2 · Neutral

Source. Creature Codex

30 (4d8+12)

1/2

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Humanoid

Alignment Neutral

XP 100

Initiative Bonus +3

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

Stealth +5

Languages

Common

Traits

Object Reading

By concentrating for 10 minutes on a specific object, a corpse thief learns more about the object's most recent owner. The effects of this trait are different depending on if the most recent owner is alive or dead. This trait only works once per object.
* If the most recent owner is alive, the corpse thief sees through that person's eyes for 10 minutes. This works like the clairvoyance spell, except the most recent owner is the sensor and controls which direction it is pointed, how far it can see, etc. The most recent owner must make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw. On a success, it gets the sensation that it is being watched.
* If the most recent owner is dead, the corpse thief can learn five things about the person's life through dream-like visions and emotions. This works like the speak with dead spell, except the spirit can only answer questions about events in which the object was present.

Actions

Claw

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d4+3 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage.

Multiattack

The corpse thief makes two claw attacks.

Steal

The corpse thief targets one creature within 5 feet of it and attempts to steal one small item. The target must succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or lose one non-weapon, non-armor object that is small enough to fit in one hand.

About Corpse Thief

Corpse Thief is a medium humanoid with a Challenge Rating of 1/2. It has a neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 30 hit points (derived from 4d8+12).

Corpse Thief has communication capabilities including Common. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Corpse Thief

2 tips available

When using Corpse Thief 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 Corpse Thief

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: 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 Corpse Thief?: Corpse Thief has a Challenge Rating of 1/2, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.5.
What type of creature is Corpse Thief?: Corpse Thief is a Medium Humanoid, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Corpse Thief speak?: Corpse Thief can communicate in Common.