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Balor

Huge · Fiend · CR 19 · Chaotic Evil

Source. 5e 2014 Rules

19 (natural armor)

262 (21d12+126)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Subcategory Demons

Size Huge

Type Fiend

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 22000

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Fly 80 ft (24.4 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Truesight 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 13

Saving Throws

Strength +14 Constitution +12 Wisdom +9 Charisma +12

Languages

Abyssal, telepathy 120.0 ft (36.6 m).

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

fire, poison

Damage Resistances

cold, lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

poisoned

Environments

The Abyss

Traits

Death Throes

When the balor dies, it explodes, and each creature within 30 feet of it must make a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw, taking 70 (20d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The explosion ignites flammable objects in that area that aren't being worn or carried, and it destroys the balor's weapons.

Fire Aura

At the start of each of the balor's turns, each creature within 5 feet of it takes 10 (3d6) fire damage, and flammable objects in the aura that aren't being worn or carried ignite. A creature that touches the balor or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes 10 (3d6) fire damage.

Magic Resistance

The balor has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Magic Weapons

The balor's weapon attacks are magical.

Actions

Longsword

Cost 1

+14 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 3d8 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d8 + 8) slashing damage plus 13 (3d8) lightning damage. If the balor scores a critical hit, it rolls damage dice three times, instead of twice.

Multiattack

Cost 1

The balor makes two attacks: one with its longsword and one with its whip.

Teleport

Cost 1

The balor magically teleports, along with any equipment it is wearing or carrying, up to 120 feet to an unoccupied space it can see.

Variant: Summon Demon

1/day Cost 1

The demon chooses what to summon and attempts a magical summoning.
A balor has a 50 percent chance of summoning 1d8 vrocks, 1d6 hezrous, 1d4 glabrezus, 1d3 nalfeshnees, 1d2 mariliths, or one goristro.
A summoned demon appears in an unoccupied space within 60 feet of its summoner, acts as an ally of its summoner, and can't summon other demons. It remains for 1 minute, until it or its summoner dies, or until its summoner dismisses it as an action.

Whip

Cost 1

+14 to hit, reach 30 ft (9.1 m). Hit: 2d6 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 30 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d6 + 8) slashing damage plus 10 (3d6) fire damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 20 Strength saving throw or be pulled up to 25 feet toward the balor.

About Balor

Balor is a huge fiend with a Challenge Rating of 19. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 19 and possesses 262 hit points (derived from 21d12+126).

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

GM Tips: Using Balor

4 tips available

When using Balor 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.
Fire Damage Mitigation: This creature deals fire damage. Advise players to have fire resistance ready or use water-based tactics. Consider environmental fire hazards that could backfire on the creature.
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 Balor

4 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.
Fire Damage Protection: This creature deals fire damage! Get fire resistance from spells like 'Resistance' or potions. Avoid fighting near flammable objects. Water spells can counter fire attacks.
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 19.

High-Level Solo Encounter:

This creature is too powerful for a single level-20 character. You need 2.0 character(s) at maximum level (20) to face this creature.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 38,000 XP
Hard: 57,000 XP
Deadly: 76,000 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 Balor?: Balor has a Challenge Rating of 19, making it appropriate for parties of level 19.0.
What type of creature is Balor?: Balor is a Huge Fiend, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Balor speak?: Balor can communicate in Abyssal, telepathy 120 ft..