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Greater Rakshasa

Medium · Fiend · CR 15 · Lawful Evil

Source. Creature Codex

18 (natural armor)

144 (17d8+68)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Fiend

Alignment Lawful Evil

XP 13000

Initiative Bonus +4

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 13

Skills

Deception +10 Insight +8

Languages

Common, Infernal

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Damage Vulnerabilities

piercing from magic weapons wielded by good creatures

Traits

Innate Spellcasting

The greater rakshasa's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 18, +10 to hit with spell attacks). The greater rakshasa can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
At will: detect thoughts, disguise self, mage hand, minor illusion
3/day each: charm person, detect magic, invisibility, major image, suggestion
1/day each: dominate person, fly, plane shift, true seeing

Limited Magic Immunity

The greater rakshasa can't be affected or detected by spells of 7th level or lower unless it wishes to be. It has advantage on saving throws against all other spells and magical effects.

Puppet Master

When the greater rakshasa casts the charm person spell, it can target up to five creatures. When it casts the dominate person spell, the spell's duration is concentration, up to 8 hours.

Actions

Cast a Spell (Costs 3 Actions)

The greater rakshasa casts a spell from its list of innate spells, consuming a use of the spell as normal.

Claw

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+2 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) slashing damage, and the target is cursed if it is a creature. The magical curse takes effect whenever the target takes a short or long rest, filling the target's thoughts with horrible images and dreams. The cursed target gains no benefit from finishing a short or long rest. The curse lasts until it is lifted by a remove curse spell or similar magic.

Harrowing Visions

Recharge 5–6

The greater rakshasa chooses a point it can see within 60 feet, conjuring a terrifying manifestation of its enemies' worst fears in a 30-foot-radius around the point. Each non-rakshasa in the area must make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 66 (12d10) psychic damage and becomes frightened for 1 minute. On a success, the target takes half the damage and isn't frightened. A frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Misleading Escape (Costs 2 Actions)

The greater rakshasa becomes invisible at the same time that an illusory double of itself appears where it is standing. This switch is indiscernible to others. After the double appears, the greater rakshasa can move up to its speed. Both effects last until the start of the greater rakshasa's next turn, but the invisibility ends if the greater rakshasa makes an attack or casts a spell before then.

Multiattack

The greater rakshasa makes two claw attacks.

Legendary Actions

Cast a Spell

Cost 3

The greater rakshasa casts a spell from its list of innate spells, consuming a use of the spell as normal.

Claw Attack

Cost 1

The greater rakshasa makes one claw attack.

Misleading Escape

Cost 2

About Greater Rakshasa

Greater Rakshasa is a medium fiend with a Challenge Rating of 15. It has a lawful evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 144 hit points (derived from 17d8+68).

Greater Rakshasa has communication capabilities including Common, Infernal. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Greater Rakshasa

1 tips available

When using Greater Rakshasa in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Flight Control Strategy: Target flying creatures with spells like 'Hold Person', 'Web', or 'Grease' to ground them. Without flight restriction, they can escape melee range easily. Consider area denial spells below their flight altitude to force them into disadvantageous positions.

Player Guide: Facing Greater Rakshasa

1 strategies available

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

Counter Flight Advantage: This creature can fly! Use ranged attacks, reach weapons, or spells like 'Thunderwave' to push it away. Consider 'Gust of Wind' or 'Earthbind' to ground it. Melee characters need fly speed or flight magic to engage.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 15.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 19 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 24,000 XP
Hard: 36,000 XP
Deadly: 48,000 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 Greater Rakshasa?: Greater Rakshasa has a Challenge Rating of 15, making it appropriate for parties of level 15.0.
What type of creature is Greater Rakshasa?: Greater Rakshasa is a Medium Fiend, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Greater Rakshasa speak?: Greater Rakshasa can communicate in Common, Infernal.