Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Hippopotamus

Large · Beast · CR 4 · Unaligned

Source. 5e 2024 Rules

14 (natural armor)

82 (11d10 + 22)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

-2

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-3

Overview

Category Animals

Size Large

Type Beast

Alignment Unaligned

XP 1100

Initiative Bonus -2

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 30 ft (9.1 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Passive Perception 13

Saving Throws

Strength +7 Dexterity -2 Constitution +2 Intelligence -4 Wisdom +1 Charisma -3

Skills

Perception +3

Traits

Hold Breath

The hippopotamus can hold its breath for 10 minutes.

Actions

Bite

Cost 1

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d10+5 piercing damage.

Melee Attack Roll: +7, reach 5 ft. 16 (2d10 + 5) Piercing damage.

Multiattack

Cost 1

The hippopotamus makes two Bite attacks.

About Hippopotamus

Hippopotamus is a large beast with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 82 hit points (derived from 11d10 + 22).

GM Tips: Using Hippopotamus

1 tips available

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

Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 30 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.

Player Guide: Facing Hippopotamus

1 strategies available

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

Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 30 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

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

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 6 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 2,000 XP
Hard: 3,000 XP
Deadly: 4,000 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 Hippopotamus?: Hippopotamus has a Challenge Rating of 4, making it appropriate for parties of level 4.0.
What type of creature is Hippopotamus?: Hippopotamus is a Large Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.