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Death Dog

Medium · Monstrosity · CR 1 · Neutral Evil

Source. 5e 2024 Rules

12 (natural armor)

39 (6d8 + 12)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Monstrosity

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 200

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 15

Saving Throws

Strength +2 Dexterity +2 Constitution +2 Intelligence -4 Wisdom +1 Charisma -2

Skills

Perception +5 Stealth +4

Actions

Bite

Cost 1

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d4+2 piercing damage.

Melee Attack Roll: +4, reach 5 ft. 4 (1d4 + 2) Piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it is subjected to the following effect. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 12. First Failure The target has the Poisoned condition. While Poisoned, the target's Hit Point maximum doesn't return to normal when finishing a Long Rest, and it repeats the save every 24 hours that elapse, ending the effect on itself on a success. Subsequent Failures: The Poisoned target's Hit Point maximum decreases by 5 (1d10).

Multiattack

Cost 1

The death dog makes two Bite attacks.

About Death Dog

Death Dog is a medium monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 1. It has a neutral evil alignment.

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

GM Tips: Using Death Dog

2 tips available

When using Death Dog 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 Death Dog

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 1.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 3 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 200 XP
Hard: 300 XP
Deadly: 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 Death Dog?: Death Dog has a Challenge Rating of 1, making it appropriate for parties of level 1.0.
What type of creature is Death Dog?: Death Dog is a Medium Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.