Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Werehyena

Medium · Humanoid · CR 3 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Creature Codex

13 (in gnoll form, 14 (natural armor) in hyena or hybrid form)

58 (9d8+18)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Humanoid

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 700

Initiative Bonus +3

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

Passive Perception 12

Skills

Perception +2 Stealth +5

Languages

Gnoll (can't speak in hyena form)

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks not made with silver

Traits

Keen Hearing and Smell

The werehyena has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.

Shapechanger

The werehyena can use its action to polymorph into a hyena-gnoll hybrid or into a hyena, or back into its true gnoll form. Its statistics, other than AC, 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: 1d8+3 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage. If the target is humanoid, it must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be cursed with werehyena lycanthropy.

Claws

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d4+3 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (2d4 + 3) slashing damage.

Multiattack

The werehyena makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claws or scimitar.

Scimitar

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8+3 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage.

About Werehyena

Werehyena is a medium humanoid with a Challenge Rating of 3. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 58 hit points (derived from 9d8+18).

Werehyena has communication capabilities including Gnoll (can't speak in hyena form). This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Werehyena

1 tips available

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

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 Werehyena

1 strategies available

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

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 Werehyena?: Werehyena has a Challenge Rating of 3, making it appropriate for parties of level 3.0.
What type of creature is Werehyena?: Werehyena is a Medium Humanoid, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Werehyena speak?: Werehyena can communicate in Gnoll (can't speak in hyena form).