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Rakshasa

Medium · Fiend · CR 13 · Lawful Evil

Source. 5e 2024 Rules

17 (natural armor)

221 (26d8 + 104)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Fiend

Alignment Lawful Evil

XP 10000

Initiative Bonus +8

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

Truesight 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 18

Saving Throws

Strength +2 Dexterity +3 Constitution +4 Intelligence +1 Wisdom +3 Charisma +5

Skills

Deception +10 Insight +8 Perception +8

Languages

Common, Infernal

Traits

Fiendish Restoration

If the rakshasa dies outside the Nine Hells, its body turns to ichor, and it gains a new body instantly, reviving with all its Hit Points somewhere in the Nine Hells.

Greater Magic Resistance

The rakshasa automatically succeeds on saving throws against spells and other magical effects, and the attack rolls of spells automatically miss it. Without the rakshasa's permission, no spell can observe the rakshasa remotely or detect its thoughts, creature type, or alignment.

Actions

Baleful Command

Recharge 5–6 Cost 1

Wisdom Saving Throw: DC 18, each enemy in a 30-foot Emanation originating from the rakshasa. Failure: 28 (8d6) Psychic damage, and the target has the Frightened and Incapacitated conditions until the start of the rakshasa's next turn.

Cursed Touch

Cost 1

+10 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+5 slashing damage.

Melee Attack Roll: +10, reach 5 ft. 12 (2d6 + 5) Slashing damage plus 19 (3d12) Necrotic damage. If the target is a creature, it is cursed. While cursed, the target gains no benefit from finishing a Short Rest|XPHB|Short or Long Rest.

Multiattack

Cost 1

The rakshasa makes three Cursed Touch attacks.

Spellcasting

Cost 1

The rakshasa casts one of the following spells, requiring no Material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 18):

At Will: Detect Magic, Detect Thoughts, Disguise Self, Mage Hand, Minor Illusion
1/Day Each: Fly, Invisibility, Major Image, Plane Shift

About Rakshasa

Rakshasa is a medium fiend with a Challenge Rating of 13. It has a lawful evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 221 hit points (derived from 26d8 + 104).

Rakshasa has communication capabilities including Common, Infernal. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Rakshasa

1 tips available

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

Flight Control Strategy: Target flying creatures with spells like 'Hold Person', 'Web', or 'Grease' to ground them. Without flight restriction, they can escape melee range easily. Consider area denial spells below their flight altitude to force them into disadvantageous positions.

Player Guide: Facing Rakshasa

1 strategies available

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

Counter Flight Advantage: This creature can fly! Use ranged attacks, reach weapons, or spells like 'Thunderwave' to push it away. Consider 'Gust of Wind' or 'Earthbind' to ground it. Melee characters need fly speed or flight magic to engage.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 13.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 17 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 18,200 XP
Hard: 27,300 XP
Deadly: 36,400 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 Rakshasa?: Rakshasa has a Challenge Rating of 13, making it appropriate for parties of level 13.0.
What type of creature is Rakshasa?: Rakshasa is a Medium Fiend, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Rakshasa speak?: Rakshasa can communicate in Common, Infernal.