Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Aboleth

Large · Aberration · CR 10 · Lawful Evil

Source. 5e 2024 Rules

17 (natural armor)

150 (20d10 + 40)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

-1

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Aberration

Alignment Lawful Evil

XP 5900

Initiative Bonus +7

Movement

Walk 10 ft (3 m)

Swim 40 ft (12.2 m)

Climb 5 ft (1.5 m)

Crawl 5 ft (1.5 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 20

Saving Throws

Strength +5 Dexterity +3 Constitution +6 Intelligence +8 Wisdom +6 Charisma +4

Skills

History +12 Perception +10

Languages

Deep Speech; telepathy 120.0 ft (36.6 m).

Traits

Amphibious

The aboleth can breathe air and water.

Eldritch Restoration

If destroyed, the aboleth gains a new body in 5d10 days, reviving with all its Hit Points in the Far Realm or another location chosen by the DM.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day, or 4/Day in Lair)

If the aboleth fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Mucus Cloud

While underwater, the aboleth is surrounded by mucus. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 14, each creature in a 5-foot Emanation originating from the aboleth at the end of the aboleth's turn. Failure: The target is cursed. Until the curse ends, the target's skin becomes slimy, the target can breathe air and water, and it can't regain Hit Points unless it is underwater. While the cursed creature is outside a body of water, the creature takes 6 (1d12) Acid damage at the end of every 10 minutes unless moisture is applied to its skin before those minutes have passed.

Probing Telepathy

If a creature the aboleth can see communicates telepathically with the aboleth, the aboleth learns the creature's greatest desires.

Actions

Consume Memories

Cost 1

Intelligence Saving Throw: DC 16, one creature within 30 feet that is Charmed or Grappled by the aboleth. Failure: 10 (3d6) Psychic damage. Success: Half damage. Failure or Success: The aboleth gains the target's memories if the target is a Humanoid and is reduced to 0 Hit Points by this action.

Dominate Mind

2/day

Wisdom Saving Throw: DC 16, one creature the aboleth can see within 30 feet. Failure: The target has the Charmed condition until the aboleth dies or is on a different plane of existence from the target. While Charmed, the target acts as an ally to the aboleth and is under its control while within 60 feet of it. In addition, the aboleth and the target can communicate telepathically with each other over any distance. The target repeats the save whenever it takes damage as well as after every 24 hours it spends at least 1 mile away from the aboleth, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Multiattack

The aboleth makes two Tentacle attacks and uses either Consume Memories or Dominate Mind if available.

Tentacle

Cost 1

+9 to hit, reach 15 ft (4.6 m). Hit: 2d6+5 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Attack Roll: +9, reach 15 ft. 12 (2d6 + 5) Bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Large or smaller creature, it has the Grappled condition (escape DC 14) from one of four tentacles.

Legendary Actions

Lash

Cost 1

The aboleth makes one Tentacle attack.

Psychic Drain

Cost 1

If the aboleth has at least one creature Charmed or Grappled, it uses Consume Memories and regains 5 (1d10) Hit Points.

About Aboleth

Aboleth is a large aberration with a Challenge Rating of 10. It has a lawful evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 150 hit points (derived from 20d10 + 40).

Aboleth has communication capabilities including Deep Speech; telepathy 120 ft.. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Aboleth

2 tips available

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

Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 40 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.
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.

Player Guide: Facing Aboleth

2 strategies available

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

Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 40 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.
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.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 10.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 13 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 11,000 XP
Hard: 16,500 XP
Deadly: 22,000 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 Aboleth?: Aboleth has a Challenge Rating of 10, making it appropriate for parties of level 10.0.
What type of creature is Aboleth?: Aboleth is a Large Aberration, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Aboleth speak?: Aboleth can communicate in Deep Speech; telepathy 120 ft..