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Kraken

Gargantuan · Monstrosity · CR 23 · Chaotic Evil

Source. 5e 2024 Rules

18 (natural armor)

481 (26d20 + 208)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

+10

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Gargantuan

Type Monstrosity

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 50000

Initiative Bonus +14

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 120 ft (36.6 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Truesight 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 21

Saving Throws

Strength +17 Dexterity +7 Constitution +15 Intelligence +6 Wisdom +11 Charisma +5

Skills

History +13 Perception +11

Languages

Understands Abyssal, Celestial, Infernal, And Primordial but can't speak; telepathy 120.0 ft (36.6 m).

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

cold, lightning

Condition Immunities

frightened, grappled, paralyzed, restrained

Traits

Amphibious

The kraken can breathe air and water.

Legendary Resistance (4/Day, or 5/Day in Lair)

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

Siege Monster

The kraken deals double damage to objects and structures.

Actions

Fling

Cost 1

The kraken throws a Large or smaller creature Grappled by it to a space it can see within 60 feet of itself that isn't in the air. Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 25, the creature thrown and each creature in the destination space. Failure: 18 (4d8) Bludgeoning damage, and the target has the Prone condition. Success: Half damage only.

Lightning Strike

Cost 1

Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 23, one creature the kraken can see within 120 feet. Failure: 33 (6d10) Lightning damage. Success: Half damage.

Multiattack

Cost 1

The kraken makes two Tentacle attacks and uses Fling, Lightning Strike, or Swallow.

Swallow

Cost 1

Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 25, one creature Grappled by the kraken (it can have up to four creatures swallowed at a time). Failure: 23 (3d8 + 10) Piercing damage. If the target is Large or smaller, it is swallowed and no longer Grappled. A swallowed creature has the Restrained condition, has Cover|XPHB|Total Cover against attacks and other effects outside the kraken, and takes 24 (7d6) Acid damage at the start of each of its turns. If the kraken takes 50 damage or more on a single turn from a creature inside it, the kraken must succeed on a DC 25 Constitution saving throw at the end of that turn or regurgitate all swallowed creatures, each of which falls in a space within 10 feet of the kraken with the Prone condition. If the kraken dies, any swallowed creature no longer has the Restrained condition and can escape from the corpse using 15 feet of movement, exiting Prone.

Tentacle

Cost 1

+17 to hit, reach 30 ft (9.1 m). Hit: 4d6+10 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Attack Roll: +17, reach 30 ft. 24 (4d6 + 10) Bludgeoning damage. The target has the Grappled condition (escape DC 20) from one of ten tentacles, and it has the Restrained condition until the grapple ends.

Legendary Actions

Storm Bolt

Cost 1

The kraken uses Lightning Strike.

Toxic Ink

Cost 1

Constitution Saving Throw: DC 23, each creature in a 15-foot Emanation originating from the kraken while it is underwater. Failure: The target has the Blinded and Poisoned conditions until the end of the kraken's next turn. The kraken then moves up to its Speed. Failure or Success: The kraken can't take this action again until the start of its next turn.

About Kraken

Kraken is a gargantuan monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 23. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 481 hit points (derived from 26d20 + 208).

Kraken has communication capabilities including Understands Abyssal, Celestial, Infernal, And Primordial but can't speak; telepathy 120 ft.. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Kraken

3 tips available

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

Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 120 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.
Lightning Damage Awareness: Lightning attacks often have long range and high speed. Advise players to use cover and avoid metal armor/weapons. Water surfaces amplify lightning damage - avoid fighting near water.
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 Kraken

3 strategies available

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

Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 120 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.
Lightning Damage Protection: This creature deals lightning damage! Avoid metal armor and weapons. Use cover and avoid water surfaces. 'Iron Skin' or 'Protection from Energy' can help.
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 23.

High-Level Solo Encounter:

This creature is too powerful for a single level-20 character. You need 3.0 character(s) at maximum level (20) to face this creature.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 55,200 XP
Hard: 82,800 XP
Deadly: 110,400 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 Kraken?: Kraken has a Challenge Rating of 23, making it appropriate for parties of level 23.0.
What type of creature is Kraken?: Kraken is a Gargantuan Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Kraken speak?: Kraken can communicate in Understands Abyssal, Celestial, Infernal, And Primordial but can't speak; telepathy 120 ft..