Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Dryad

Medium · Fey · CR 1 · Neutral

Source. 5e 2024 Rules

16 (natural armor)

22 (5d8)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Fey

Alignment Neutral

XP 200

Initiative Bonus +1

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 14

Saving Throws

Strength +0 Dexterity +1 Constitution +0 Intelligence +2 Wisdom +2 Charisma +4

Skills

Perception +4 Stealth +5

Languages

Elvish, Sylvan

Traits

Magic Resistance

The dryad has Advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Speak with Beasts and Plants

The dryad can communicate with Beasts and Plants as if they shared a language.

Actions

Multiattack

Cost 1

The dryad makes one Vine Lash or Thorn Burst attack, and it can use Spellcasting to cast Charm Monster.

Spellcasting

Cost 1

The dryad casts one of the following spells, requiring no Material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 14):

At Will: Animal Friendship, Charm Monster, Druidcraft
1/Day Each: Entangle, Pass without Trace

Thorn Burst

Cost 1

+6 to hit, range 60 ft (18.3 m). Hit: 1d6+4 piercing damage.

Ranged Attack Roll: +6, range 60 ft. 7 (1d6 + 4) Piercing damage.

Vine Lash

Cost 1

+6 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 1d8+4 slashing damage.

Melee Attack Roll: +6, reach 10 ft. 8 (1d8 + 4) Slashing damage.

Bonus Actions

Tree Stride

If within 5 feet of a Large or bigger tree, the dryad teleports to an unoccupied space within 5 feet of a second Large or bigger tree that is within 60 feet of the previous tree.

About Dryad

Dryad is a medium fey with a Challenge Rating of 1. It has a neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 22 hit points (derived from 5d8).

Dryad has communication capabilities including Elvish, Sylvan. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Dryad

2 tips available

When using Dryad 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 Dryad

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 Dryad?: Dryad has a Challenge Rating of 1, making it appropriate for parties of level 1.0.
What type of creature is Dryad?: Dryad is a Medium Fey, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Dryad speak?: Dryad can communicate in Elvish, Sylvan.