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Horned Serpent

Large · Monstrosity · CR 12 · Unaligned

Source. Creature Codex

18 (natural armor)

210 (20d10+100)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-3

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Monstrosity

Alignment Unaligned

XP 8400

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 40 ft (12.2 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 16

Saving Throws

Dexterity +7 Wisdom +6

Skills

Perception +6 Stealth +7

Languages

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

necrotic, poison

Damage Resistances

fire

Condition Immunities

poisoned

Traits

Amphibious

The horned serpent can breathe air and water.

Corpse Cough

Those who fail a saving throw against the horned serpent's Gem Gaze or bite attack become infected with the corpse cough disease. The infected creature can't benefit from short or long rests due to a constant, wet cough. The infected creature must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw each day or take 18 (4d8) necrotic damage. The target's hp maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken. The target dies if this effect reduces its hp maximum to 0. The reduction lasts until the target is cured of the disease with a greater restoration spell or similar magic. If the infected creature comes into physical contact with a blood relative before the disease is cured, the relative must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or also become infected with the disease. The blood relative is afflicted with a constant, wet cough within hours of infection, but the disease's full effects don't manifest until 1d4 days later. Corpse cough is so named due to the smell of the cough as the infected creature's lungs become necrotic.

Poisonous Aura

At the start of each of the horned serpent's turns, each creature within 20 feet of it must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw, taking 18 (4d8) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Shielded Mind

The horned serpent is immune to scrying and to any effect that would sense its emotions, read its thoughts, or detect its location.

Actions

Bite

+10 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 3d10+5 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d10 + 5) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or become infected with the corpse cough disease (see the Corpse Cough trait).

Gem Gaze

Recharge 5–6

The horned serpent's gem flashes, bathing a 30-foot cone in iridescent light. Each creature in the area must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 35 (10d6) radiant damage and is infected with the corpse cough disease (see the Corpse Cough trait). On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn't infected with the disease. Gem Gaze has no effect on constructs and undead.

Gore

+10 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 4d6+5 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (4d6 + 5) piercing damage.

Multiattack

The horned serpent makes one gore attack and one bite attack.

About Horned Serpent

Horned Serpent is a large monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 12. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 210 hit points (derived from 20d10+100).

Horned Serpent has communication capabilities including -. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Horned Serpent

1 tips available

When using Horned Serpent 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 Horned Serpent

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 12.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 16 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 15,600 XP
Hard: 23,400 XP
Deadly: 31,200 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 Horned Serpent?: Horned Serpent has a Challenge Rating of 12, making it appropriate for parties of level 12.0.
What type of creature is Horned Serpent?: Horned Serpent is a Large Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Horned Serpent speak?: Horned Serpent can communicate in -.