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Monkey King

Medium · Celestial · CR 21 · Neutral

Source. Creature Codex
Armor Class
21 (natural armor)
Hit Points and Hit Dice
262 (25d8+150)
Challenge Rating CR
21

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
19
+4
DEX
24
+7
CON
22
+6
INT
16
+3
WIS
21
+5
CHA
17
+3

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Medium
Type Celestial
Alignment Neutral
XP 33000
Initiative Bonus +7

Movement

Walk 60 ft (18.3 m)
Fly 60 ft (18.3 m)
Swim 30 ft (9.1 m)
Climb 30 ft (9.1 m)
Crawl 30 ft (9.1 m)

Senses

Truesight 120 ft (36.6 m)
Passive Perception 22

Saving Throws

Dexterity +14 Constitution +13 Wisdom +12

Skills

Acrobatics +14 Deception +10 Insight +12 Perception +12 Stealth +14

Languages

Celestial, Common, Simian

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
necrotic, poison, radiant
Condition Immunities
charmed, frightened, poisoned, stunned

Traits

Legendary Resistance (3/Day)

If the Monkey King fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.

Magic Resistance

The Monkey King has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Simian Affinity

The Monkey King can communicate with primates as if they shared a language. In addition, he can control primates with an Intelligence of 8 or lower that are within 120 feet of him.

Actions

Enlightened Ray

+12 to hit, range 100 ft (30.5 m). Hit: 4d8 radiant damage.

Ranged Spell Attack: +12 to hit, range 100 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (4d8) radiant damage. The target must succeed on a DC 18 Charisma saving throw or be stunned until the end of its next turn.

Golden Burst (Costs 3 Actions)

Each creature of the Monkey King's choice within 10 feet of him must make a DC 18 Charisma saving throw, taking 36 (8d8) radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Golden Staff

+14 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d10+7 plus 2d6 radiant damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d10 + 7) bludgeoning damage plus 7 (2d6) radiant damage.

Multiattack

The Monkey King makes three golden staff attacks or two golden staff attacks and one tail attack.

Tail

+14 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d8+7 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 22 Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone.

Reactions

Drunken Dodge

When the Monkey King is hit by a weapon attack, he gains resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage until the end of that turn.

Legendary Actions

Golden Burst

Cost 3

Each creature of the Monkey King's choice within 10 feet of him must make a DC 18 Charisma saving throw, taking 36 (8d8) radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Great Leap

Cost 1

The Monkey King moves up to his speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

Quick Staff

Cost 1

The Monkey King makes a golden staff attack.

About Monkey King

Monkey King is a medium celestial with a Challenge Rating of 21. It has a neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 21 and possesses 262 hit points (derived from 25d8+150).

Monkey King has communication capabilities including Celestial, Common, Simian. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Monkey King

1 tips available

When using Monkey King 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 Monkey King

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 21.

High-Level Solo Encounter:

This creature is too powerful for a single level-20 character. You need 3.0 character(s) at maximum level (20) to face this creature.

Experience Point Thresholds:

  • Medium: 46,200 XP
  • Hard: 69,300 XP
  • Deadly: 92,400 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 Monkey King?
Monkey King has a Challenge Rating of 21, making it appropriate for parties of level 21.0.
What type of creature is Monkey King?
Monkey King is a Medium Celestial, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Monkey King speak?
Monkey King can communicate in Celestial, Common, Simian.

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