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Nightgaunt

Large · Aberration · CR 10 · Lawful Evil

Source. Creature Codex

17 (natural armor)

142 (15d10+60)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-3

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Aberration

Alignment Lawful Evil

XP 5900

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 20 ft (6.1 m)

Fly 60 ft (18.3 m)

Swim 10 ft (3 m)

Climb 10 ft (3 m)

Crawl 10 ft (3 m)

Senses

Blindsight 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 17

Saving Throws

Strength +8 Constitution +8 Wisdom +7 Charisma +7

Skills

Athletics +8 Intimidation +7 Perception +7 Stealth +11

Languages

understands Common, Abyssal, and Void Speech, but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, necrotic

Condition Immunities

blinded, frightened

Traits

Flyby

The nightgaunt doesn't provoke an opportunity attack when it flies out of an enemy's reach.

Magic Resistance

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

Pack Tactics

The nightgaunt has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the nightgaunt's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.

Utterly Silent

The nightgaunt doesn't make a sound and has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.

Actions

Baneful Presence

Each creature of the nightgaunt's choice that is within 30 feet of the nightgaunt and aware of it must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on all attack rolls and saving throws for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the nightgaunt's Baneful Presence for the next 24 hours.

Barbed Tail

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8+4 plus 3d6 poison damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage plus 10 (3d6) poison damage.

Clutching Claws

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8+4 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) slashing damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 16) if it is a Medium or smaller creature. Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained. The nightgaunt has two claws, each of which can grapple only one target. While using a claw to grapple, the nightgaunt can't use that claw to attack.

Multiattack

The nightgaunt can use its Baneful Presence. It then makes three attacks: two with its clutching claws and one with its barbed tail. If the nightgaunt is grappling a creature, it can use its barbed tail one additional time.

About Nightgaunt

Nightgaunt is a large aberration with a Challenge Rating of 10. It has a lawful evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 142 hit points (derived from 15d10+60).

Nightgaunt has communication capabilities including understands Common, Abyssal, and Void Speech, but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Nightgaunt

2 tips available

When using Nightgaunt 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.
Pack Tactics Advantage: This creature has advantage on attack rolls when an ally is within 5 feet! Separate it from its pack or use 'Fear' spells to scatter allies. Single-target encounters reduce its effectiveness.

Player Guide: Facing Nightgaunt

2 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.
Counter Pack Tactics: This creature has advantage when allies are nearby! Separate it from its pack. Use 'Fear' spells to scatter allies. Single-target encounters reduce its effectiveness.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 10.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 13 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 11,000 XP
Hard: 16,500 XP
Deadly: 22,000 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 Nightgaunt?: Nightgaunt has a Challenge Rating of 10, making it appropriate for parties of level 10.0.
What type of creature is Nightgaunt?: Nightgaunt is a Large Aberration, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Nightgaunt speak?: Nightgaunt can communicate in understands Common, Abyssal, and Void Speech, but can't speak.