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Aboleth

Large · Aberration · CR 10 · Lawful Evil

Source. 5e 2014 Rules

17 (natural armor)

135 (18d10+36)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

-1

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Aberration

Alignment Lawful Evil

XP 5900

Initiative Bonus -1

Movement

Walk 10 ft (3 m)

Swim 40 ft (12.2 m)

Climb 5 ft (1.5 m)

Crawl 5 ft (1.5 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 20

Saving Throws

Constitution +6 Intelligence +8 Wisdom +6

Skills

History +12 Perception +10

Languages

Deep Speech, telepathy 120.0 ft (36.6 m).

Environments

Caves Ocean Sewer Plane of Water Underworld

Traits

Amphibious

The aboleth can breathe air and water.

Mucous Cloud

While underwater, the aboleth is surrounded by transformative mucus. A creature that touches the aboleth or that hits it with a melee attack while within 5 ft. of it must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the creature is diseased for 1d4 hours. The diseased creature can breathe only underwater.

Probing Telepathy

If a creature communicates telepathically with the aboleth, the aboleth learns the creature's greatest desires if the aboleth can see the creature.

Actions

Enslave

3/day Cost 1

The aboleth targets one creature it can see within 30 ft. of it. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be magically charmed by the aboleth until the aboleth dies or until it is on a different plane of existence from the target. The charmed target is under the aboleth's control and can't take reactions, and the aboleth and the target can communicate telepathically with each other over any distance.
Whenever the charmed target takes damage, the target can repeat the saving throw. On a success, the effect ends. No more than once every 24 hours, the target can also repeat the saving throw when it is at least 1 mile away from the aboleth.

Multiattack

Cost 1

The aboleth makes three tentacle attacks.

Tail

Cost 1

+9 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 3d6 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (3d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage.

Tentacle

Cost 1

+9 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d6 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or become diseased. The disease has no effect for 1 minute and can be removed by any magic that cures disease. After 1 minute, the diseased creature's skin becomes translucent and slimy, the creature can't regain hit points unless it is underwater, and the disease can be removed only by heal or another disease-curing spell of 6th level or higher. When the creature is outside a body of water, it takes 6 (1d12) acid damage every 10 minutes unless moisture is applied to the skin before 10 minutes have passed.

Legendary Actions

Detect

Cost 1

The aboleth makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.

Psychic Drain

Cost 2

One creature charmed by the aboleth takes 10 (3d6) psychic damage, and the aboleth regains hit points equal to the damage the creature takes.

Tail Swipe

Cost 1

The aboleth makes one tail attack.

About Aboleth

Aboleth is a large aberration with a Challenge Rating of 10. It has a lawful evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 135 hit points (derived from 18d10+36).

Aboleth has communication capabilities including Deep Speech, telepathy 120 ft.. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Aboleth

2 tips available

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

Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 40 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.
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 Aboleth

2 strategies available

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

Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 40 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.
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 10.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 13 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 11,000 XP
Hard: 16,500 XP
Deadly: 22,000 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 Aboleth?: Aboleth has a Challenge Rating of 10, making it appropriate for parties of level 10.0.
What type of creature is Aboleth?: Aboleth is a Large Aberration, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Aboleth speak?: Aboleth can communicate in Deep Speech, telepathy 120 ft..