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Preta

Medium · Undead · CR 3 · Neutral Evil

Source. Creature Codex

13 (natural armor)

75 (10d8+30)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Neutral 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 13

Skills

Perception +3 Stealth +4

Languages

the languages it knew in life

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Resistances

necrotic

Condition Immunities

exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned

Traits

Ethereal Sight

The preta can see 60 feet into the Ethereal Plane when it is on the Material Plane, and vice versa.

Actions

Blood Siphon

The preta magically draws the blood from a target it can see within 30 feet into its ever-hungry mouth. The target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or take 7 (2d6) points of necrotic damage. The preta regains hp equal to half the necrotic damage dealt.

Claws

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+2 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) slashing damage.

Etherealness

The preta magically enters the Ethereal Plane from the Material Plane, or vice versa. It is visible on the Material Plane while it is in the Border Ethereal, and vice versa, yet it can't affect or be affected by anything on the other plane.

Hidden Illusionist

The preta turns invisible until it attacks or uses Blood Siphon, or until its concentration ends (as if concentrating on a spell). While invisible, it leaves no physical evidence of its passage, leaving it traceable only by magic. Any equipment the preta wears or carriers is invisible with it. While invisible, the preta can create small illusory sounds and images like the minor illusion spell except it can create either two images, two sounds, or one sound and one image.

Multiattack

The preta uses its Blood Siphon. It then makes two attacks with its claws.

About Preta

Preta is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 3. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 75 hit points (derived from 10d8+30).

Preta has communication capabilities including the languages it knew in life. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Preta

2 tips available

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

Mid-level Encounter: Ideal for parties levels 3-8 as solo or small groups
Terrain Advantage: Use terrain to offset moderate combat abilities

Player Guide: Facing Preta

2 strategies available

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

Moderate Threat: Prepare standard combat tactics
Tactical Advantage: Use terrain and positioning

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 Preta?: Preta has a Challenge Rating of 3, making it appropriate for parties of level 3.0.
What type of creature is Preta?: Preta is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Preta speak?: Preta can communicate in the languages it knew in life.