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Tulpa

Medium · Undead · CR 4 · Neutral Evil

Source. Creature Codex
Armor Class
13
Hit Points and Hit Dice
39 (6d8+12)
Challenge Rating CR
4

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
14
+2
DEX
16
+3
CON
14
+2
INT
10
+0
WIS
14
+2
CHA
9
-1

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Medium
Type Undead
Alignment Neutral Evil
XP 1100
Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Hover Yes

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)
Passive Perception 12

Languages

the languages spoken by its creator

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
cold, necrotic, poison
Damage Resistances
acid, fire, lightning, thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Vulnerabilities
radiant
Condition Immunities
charmed, exhaustion, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained

Traits

Incorporeal Movement

The tulpa can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.

It Follows

The tulpa always remains within 500 feet if its creator. As long as the tulpa is within 500 feet of its creator, the creator has disadvantage on Wisdom saving throws.

Rise Again

Within a day of being slain, the tulpa reforms within 500 feet of its creator. It doesn't reform if its creator is slain, or if the creator's mental disturbance is healed. The tulpa is immune to all damage dealt to it by its creator.

Actions

Black Claw

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

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

Imposing Dread

1/day

The tulpa uses its action to fill a 40-foot radius around itself with dread-inducing psychic energy. Each creature, other than the tulpa's creator, within that area must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened of the tulpa until the end of its next turn and become cursed. A creature with an Intelligence of 5 or lower can't be cursed. While cursed by the tulpa, that creature's own thoughts turn ever more dark and brooding. Its sense of hope fades, and shadows seem overly large and ominous. The cursed creature can repeat the saving throw whenever it finishes a long rest, ending the effect on itself on a success. If not cured within three days, the cursed creature manifests its own tulpa.

Multiattack

The tulpa makes two black claw attacks.

Psychic Blast

+4 to hit, range 120 ft (36.6 m). Hit: 4d10 psychic damage.

Ranged Spell Attack: +4 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (4d10) psychic damage.

About Tulpa

Tulpa is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 39 hit points (derived from 6d8+12).

Tulpa has communication capabilities including the languages spoken by its creator. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Tulpa

1 tips available

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

  • Incorporeal Movement: This creature can pass through objects and walls! Use 'Magic Circle', 'Forcecage', or other magical barriers. Physical obstacles are ineffective.

Player Guide: Facing Tulpa

1 strategies available

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

  • Hit Incorporeal Creature: This creature can pass through objects! Use magical weapons or spells. Physical attacks may not work. 'Magic Missile' or 'Spiritual Weapon' are effective.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

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

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 6 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

  • Medium: 2,000 XP
  • Hard: 3,000 XP
  • Deadly: 4,000 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 Tulpa?
Tulpa has a Challenge Rating of 4, making it appropriate for parties of level 4.0.
What type of creature is Tulpa?
Tulpa is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Tulpa speak?
Tulpa can communicate in the languages spoken by its creator.

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