Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Pishacha

Medium · Fiend · CR 3 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Creature Codex

13 (natural armor)

55 (10d8+10)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Fiend

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 700

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 15

Skills

Arcana +2 Perception +5

Languages

Abyssal, Common, Darakhul; telepathy 60.0 ft (18.3 m).

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Resistances

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

Damage Vulnerabilities

radiant

Condition Immunities

poisoned

Traits

Shapechanger

The pishacha can use its action to polymorph into a tiger or a wolf, or back into its true form. Other than its size, its statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn't transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.

Actions

Bite

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8+3 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) piercing damage.

Claws

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

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

Demonic Possession

Recharge 6

One humanoid that the pishacha can see within 5 feet of it must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be possessed by the pishacha; the pishacha then disappears, and the target is incapacitated and loses some control of its body, succumbing to a random short-term madness (see the System Reference Document 5.1) each round for 3d6 rounds. At the end of the 3d6 rounds, the pishacha becomes dormant within the body.

While possessing a victim, the pishacha attempts to seize control of the body again every 1d4 hours. The target must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or succumb to another 3d6 round period of random short-term madness. Even if the target succeeds, it is still possessed. If the target is still possessed at the end of a long rest, it must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or gain a long-term madness.

While possessing a victim, the pishacha can't be targeted by any attack, spell, or other effect, except those that can turn or repel fiends, and it retains its alignment, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. It otherwise uses the possessed target's statistics, but doesn't gain access to the target's knowledge, class features, or proficiencies.

The possession lasts until the body drops to 0 hp, the pishacha ends it as a bonus action, or the pishacha is turned or forced out by an effect like the dispel evil and good spell. The pishacha can also be forced out if the victim eats a bowl of rice that has been cooked in holy water. When the possession ends, the pishacha reappears in an unoccupied space within 5 feet of the body.

The target is immune to possession by the same pishacha for 24 hours after succeeding on the initial saving throw or after the possession ends.

Invisibility

The pishacha magically turns invisible until it attacks or until its concentration ends (as if concentrating on a spell).

Multiattack

The pishacha makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claws.

About Pishacha

Pishacha is a medium fiend with a Challenge Rating of 3. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 55 hit points (derived from 10d8+10).

Pishacha has communication capabilities including Abyssal, Common, Darakhul; telepathy 60 ft.. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Pishacha

2 tips available

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

Telepathic Communication: This creature can communicate telepathically, making it excellent for coordination with allies. Silence spells won't stop its communication. Consider 'Mind Blank' or abilities that block telepathy.
Shapechanging Tactics: This creature can change form, potentially gaining new abilities or escaping. Use 'True Seeing' or abilities that reveal true form. Consider finishing blows before it transforms.

Player Guide: Facing Pishacha

2 strategies available

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

Telepathy Awareness: This creature communicates telepathically! It can coordinate with allies silently. Silence won't stop it. Use 'Mind Blank' or abilities that block telepathy. Be cautious of mental attacks.
Counter Shapechanging: This creature can change form! Use 'True Seeing' to see its true form. Finish it quickly before it transforms. 'Dispel Magic' might prevent transformation.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 3.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 5 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 1,200 XP
Hard: 1,800 XP
Deadly: 2,400 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 Pishacha?: Pishacha has a Challenge Rating of 3, making it appropriate for parties of level 3.0.
What type of creature is Pishacha?: Pishacha is a Medium Fiend, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Pishacha speak?: Pishacha can communicate in Abyssal, Common, Darakhul; telepathy 60 ft..