Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Mastiff

Medium · Beast · CR 1/8 · Unaligned

Source. 5e 2024 Rules

12 (natural armor)

5 (1d8 + 1)

1/8

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Animals

Size Medium

Type Beast

Alignment Unaligned

XP 25

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 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 15

Saving Throws

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

Skills

Perception +5

Actions

Bite

Cost 1

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

Melee Attack Roll: +3, reach 5 ft. 4 (1d6 + 1) Piercing damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it has the Prone condition.

About Mastiff

Mastiff is a medium beast with a Challenge Rating of 1/8. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 5 hit points (derived from 1d8 + 1).

GM Tips: Using Mastiff

2 tips available

When using Mastiff 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 Mastiff

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: 14 XP
Hard: 21 XP
Deadly: 28 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 Mastiff?: Mastiff has a Challenge Rating of 1/8, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.125.
What type of creature is Mastiff?: Mastiff is a Medium Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.