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Grindylow

Medium · Aberration · CR 1 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Creature Codex

13 (natural armor)

27 (5d8+5)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-1

WIS

CHA

-1

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Aberration

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 200

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 10 ft (3 m)

Swim 40 ft (12.2 m)

Climb 5 ft (1.5 m)

Crawl 5 ft (1.5 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 12

Skills

Acrobatics +4 Athletics +3 Stealth +4

Languages

Aquan

Traits

Mimicry

The grindylow can mimic humanoid voices. A creature that hears the sounds can tell they are imitations with a successful DC 13 Wisdom (Insight) check.

Slippery

The grindylow has advantage on ability checks and saving throws made to escape a grapple.

Water Breathing

The grindylow can breathe only underwater.

Actions

Bite

+3 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6+1 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) piercing damage.

Claws

+3 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d6+1 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (2d6 + 1) slashing damage and the target is grappled (escape DC 13). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the grindylow can't use its claws on another target.

Ink Cloud

A 20-foot-radius cloud of ink extends all around the grindylow if it is underwater. The area is heavily obscured for 1 minute, although a significant current can disperse the ink.

After releasing the ink, the grindylow can use the Dash action as a bonus action.

Multiattack

The grindylow makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claws.

About Grindylow

Grindylow is a medium aberration with a Challenge Rating of 1. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 27 hit points (derived from 5d8+5).

Grindylow has communication capabilities including Aquan. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Grindylow

1 tips available

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

Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 40 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.

Player Guide: Facing Grindylow

1 strategies available

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

Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 40 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.

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 3 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 200 XP
Hard: 300 XP
Deadly: 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 Grindylow?: Grindylow has a Challenge Rating of 1, making it appropriate for parties of level 1.0.
What type of creature is Grindylow?: Grindylow is a Medium Aberration, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Grindylow speak?: Grindylow can communicate in Aquan.