Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Elk

Large · Beast · CR 1/4 · Unaligned

Source. 5e 2024 Rules

10 (natural armor)

11 (2d10)

1/4

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Animals

Size Large

Type Beast

Alignment Unaligned

XP 50

Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

Walk 50 ft (15.2 m)

Swim 25 ft (7.6 m)

Climb 25 ft (7.6 m)

Crawl 25 ft (7.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 12

Saving Throws

Strength +3 Dexterity +0 Constitution +0 Intelligence -4 Wisdom +0 Charisma -2

Skills

Perception +2

Actions

Ram

Cost 1

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6+3 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Attack Roll: +5, reach 5 ft. 6 (1d6 + 3) Bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Large or smaller creature and the elk moved 20+ feet straight toward it immediately before the hit, the target takes an extra 3 (1d6) Bludgeoning damage and has the Prone condition.

About Elk

Elk is a large beast with a Challenge Rating of 1/4. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 10 and possesses 11 hit points (derived from 2d10).

GM Tips: Using Elk

2 tips available

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

Minion Strategy: Use as scouts or minions for larger threats
Group Tactics: Group 3-4 together to pose a moderate threat

Player Guide: Facing Elk

2 strategies available

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

Easy Target: This creature is weak - focus on other threats
Group Threat: Multiple can be dangerous - use area attacks

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 2 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 31 XP
Hard: 46 XP
Deadly: 62 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 Elk?: Elk has a Challenge Rating of 1/4, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.25.
What type of creature is Elk?: Elk is a Large Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.