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Matriarch Serpentine Lamia

Large · Monstrosity · CR 5 · Neutral Evil

Source. Creature Codex

15 (natural armor)

90 (12d8+36)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-1

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Monstrosity

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 1800

Initiative Bonus +3

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 12

Skills

Deception +10 Intimidation +10 Stealth +6

Languages

Abyssal, Common

Traits

Innate Spellcasting

The matriarch serpentine lamia's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 15, +7 to hit with spell attacks). She can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components.
At will: animal friendship (snakes only), disguise self (any humanoid form), suggestion
3/day each: animal messenger (snakes only), charm person, hypnotic pattern, moonbeam
1/day each: compulsion, vampiric touch

Serpent Strike

The matriarch serpentine lamia has advantage on attack rolls against a creature she has surprised or that is charmed by her or her allies.

Snake Body

The matriarch serpentine lamia has advantage on saving throws and ability checks against being knocked prone.

Speak with Snakes

The matriarch serpentine lamia can communicate with snakes as if they shared a language.

Actions

Constrict

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d10+3 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d10 + 3) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it is grappled (escape DC 14). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, the matriarch can automatically hit the target with her constrict, and the she can't constrict another target.

Debilitating Touch

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m).

Melee Spell Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: The target is magically cursed for 10 minutes. Until the curse ends, the target has disadvantage on Dexterity and Strength saving throws and ability checks.

Multiattack

The matriarch serpentine lamia makes three attacks, but can use her constrict and Debilitating Touch attacks only once each.

Scimitar

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+3 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage.

Seduce

One humanoid the matriarch serpentine lamia can see within 30 feet of her must succeed on a DC 15 Charisma saving throw or be magically charmed for 1 day. The charmed target obeys the matriarch's verbal commands. If the target suffers any harm or receives a suicidal command, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on a success. If the target successfully saves against the effect, or if the effect ends on it, the target is immune to the matriarch's Seduce for the next 24 hours. The matriarch can have only one target seduced at a time. If it seduces another, the effect on the previous target ends.

About Matriarch Serpentine Lamia

Matriarch Serpentine Lamia is a large monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 5. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 90 hit points (derived from 12d8+36).

Matriarch Serpentine Lamia has communication capabilities including Abyssal, Common. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Matriarch Serpentine Lamia

2 tips available

When using Matriarch Serpentine Lamia in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Climbing Advantage: This creature can climb at 20 ft. It can use walls and ceilings for tactical positioning. Consider using 'Spider Climb' negation or fighting in open areas without vertical surfaces.
Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 20 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.

Player Guide: Facing Matriarch Serpentine Lamia

2 strategies available

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

Climbing Defense: This creature can climb at 20 ft! It can use walls and ceilings for surprise attacks. Fight in open areas without vertical surfaces. 'Spider Climb' negation spells can help.
Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 20 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 5.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 7 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 3,000 XP
Hard: 4,500 XP
Deadly: 6,000 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 Matriarch Serpentine Lamia?: Matriarch Serpentine Lamia has a Challenge Rating of 5, making it appropriate for parties of level 5.0.
What type of creature is Matriarch Serpentine Lamia?: Matriarch Serpentine Lamia is a Large Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Matriarch Serpentine Lamia speak?: Matriarch Serpentine Lamia can communicate in Abyssal, Common.