Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Reef Shark

Medium · Beast · CR 1/2 · Unaligned

Source. 5e 2024 Rules

12 (natural armor)

22 (4d8 + 4)

1/2

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-5

WIS

CHA

-3

Overview

Category Animals

Size Medium

Type Beast

Alignment Unaligned

XP 100

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 5 ft (1.5 m)

Swim 30 ft (9.1 m)

Climb 2 ft (0.6 m)

Crawl 2 ft (0.6 m)

Senses

Blindsight 30 ft (9.1 m)

Passive Perception 12

Saving Throws

Strength +2 Dexterity +2 Constitution +1 Intelligence -5 Wisdom +0 Charisma -3

Skills

Perception +2

Traits

Pack Tactics

The shark has Advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the shark's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally doesn't have the Incapacitated condition.

Water Breathing

The shark can breathe only underwater.

Actions

Bite

Cost 1

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d4+2 piercing damage.

Melee Attack Roll: +4, reach 5 ft. 7 (2d4 + 2) Piercing damage.

About Reef Shark

Reef Shark is a medium beast with a Challenge Rating of 1/2. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 22 hit points (derived from 4d8 + 4).

GM Tips: Using Reef Shark

2 tips available

When using Reef Shark 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.
Pack Tactics Advantage: This creature has advantage on attack rolls when an ally is within 5 feet! Separate it from its pack or use 'Fear' spells to scatter allies. Single-target encounters reduce its effectiveness.

Player Guide: Facing Reef Shark

2 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.
Counter Pack Tactics: This creature has advantage when allies are nearby! Separate it from its pack. Use 'Fear' spells to scatter allies. Single-target encounters reduce its effectiveness.

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: 75 XP
Hard: 112 XP
Deadly: 150 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 Reef Shark?: Reef Shark has a Challenge Rating of 1/2, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.5.
What type of creature is Reef Shark?: Reef Shark is a Medium Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.