Ability Scores
Core attributes and their modifiers.
Overview
Movement
Senses
Saving Throws
Skills
Languages
Draconic
Resistances & Immunities
Traits
Segmented Tail
The piasa's spiked tail is segmented and up to three times the length of its body. When the piasa takes 25 or more damage in a single turn, a segment of its tail is severed. When the first segment is severed, the tail attack's damage type changes from piercing to bludgeoning and deals 1d8 less damage. When the second segment is severed, the tail attack no longer deals damage, but it can still grapple. When the third segment is severed, the piasa can't make tail attacks. The tail re-grows at a rate of one segment per long rest.
Actions
Bite
+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d10+4 piercing damage.
Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) piercing damage.
Claw
+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+4 slashing damage.
Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.
Frightful Presence
Each creature of the piasa's choice that is within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of it must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened 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 piasa's Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.
Multiattack
The piasa can use its Frightful Presence. It then makes three attacks: one with its bite or tail and two with its claws.
Sleep Breath
The piasa exhales sleep gas in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or fall unconscious for 10 minutes. This effect ends for a creature if the creature takes damage or someone uses an action to wake it.
Tail
+7 to hit, reach 15 ft (4.6 m). Hit: 2d8+4 piercing damage.
Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it is grappled (escape DC 15). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained and the piasa can't make tail attacks against other targets. When the piasa moves, any Medium or smaller creature it is grappling moves with it.
About Piasa
Piasa is a large dragon with a Challenge Rating of 6. It has a unaligned alignment.
In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 144 hit points (derived from 17d10+51).
Piasa has communication capabilities including Draconic. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.
GM Tips: Using Piasa
1 tips available
GM Tips: Using Piasa
When using Piasa in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:
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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 Piasa
1 strategies available
Player Guide: Facing Piasa
When your party encounters this creature, keep these strategies in mind:
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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
Encounter Building Calculator
Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):
This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 6.
Solo Encounter:
A single character of level 9 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.
Experience Point Thresholds:
- Medium: 4,200 XP
- Hard: 6,300 XP
- Deadly: 8,400 XP
Based on D&D 5e Dungeon Master's Guide encounter building guidelines. CR roughly equals party level for medium encounters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the challenge rating of Piasa?
- Piasa has a Challenge Rating of 6, making it appropriate for parties of level 6.0.
- What type of creature is Piasa?
- Piasa is a Large Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
- What languages does Piasa speak?
- Piasa can communicate in Draconic.
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