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Living Shade

Medium · Fey · CR 1/4 · Neutral

Source. Creature Codex

18 (4d8)

1/4

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-2

DEX

CON

INT

-1

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Fey

Alignment Neutral

XP 50

Initiative Bonus +2

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 10

Skills

Stealth +6

Languages

understands Common but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

necrotic, poison

Damage Resistances

acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Damage Vulnerabilities

radiant

Condition Immunities

exhaustion, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained

Traits

Amorphous

The living shade can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing.

Shadow Stealth

While in dim light or darkness, the living shade can take the Hide action as a bonus action.

Sunlight Sensitivity

While in sunlight, the living shade has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

Actions

Shadow Touch

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d4 cold damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 2 (1d4) cold damage.

About Living Shade

Living Shade is a medium fey with a Challenge Rating of 1/4. It has a neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 18 hit points (derived from 4d8).

Living Shade has communication capabilities including understands Common but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Living Shade

2 tips available

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

Cold Damage Strategy: Cold-based attacks can slow or freeze. Prepare 'Heat Metal' or fire spells as countermeasures. Ice terrain can be used to create difficult terrain for melee characters.
Amorphous Movement: This creature can squeeze through spaces as small as 1 inch! Traditional barriers are ineffective. Use 'Wall of Force', 'Forcecage', or magical barriers to contain it.

Player Guide: Facing Living Shade

2 strategies available

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

Cold Damage Protection: This creature deals cold damage! Get cold resistance or use fire spells. Avoid water surfaces - they can freeze and create difficult terrain. 'Heat Metal' can counter cold.
Contain Amorphous Creature: This creature can squeeze through tiny spaces! Traditional barriers won't work. Use 'Wall of Force', 'Forcecage', or magical barriers. 'Create Bonfire' can block movement.

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: 31 XP
Hard: 46 XP
Deadly: 62 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 Living Shade?: Living Shade has a Challenge Rating of 1/4, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.25.
What type of creature is Living Shade?: Living Shade is a Medium Fey, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Living Shade speak?: Living Shade can communicate in understands Common but can't speak.