Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Bugbear

Medium · Humanoid · CR 1 · Chaotic Evil

Source. 5e 2014 Rules

16 (hide armor, shield)

27 (5d8+5)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-1

WIS

CHA

-1

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Humanoid

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 200

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 10

Skills

Stealth +6 Survival +2

Languages

Common, Goblin

Environments

Desert Forest or Jungle Grassland or Plains Hills Mountain Swamp or Marsh Underworld

Traits

Brute

A melee weapon deals one extra die of its damage when the bugbear hits with it (included in the attack).

Surprise Attack

If the bugbear surprises a creature and hits it with an attack during the first round of combat, the target takes an extra 7 (2d6) damage from the attack.

Actions

Javelin

Cost 1

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6 thunder damage. / +4 to hit, range 30/120 ft (9.1/36.6 m). Hit: 2d6 thunder damage.

Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) piercing damage in melee or 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage at range.

Morningstar

Cost 1

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d8 + 2) piercing damage.

About Bugbear

Bugbear is a medium humanoid with a Challenge Rating of 1. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 27 hit points (derived from 5d8+5).

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

GM Tips: Using Bugbear

2 tips available

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

Mid-level Encounter: Ideal for parties levels 3-8 as solo or small groups
Terrain Advantage: Use terrain to offset moderate combat abilities

Player Guide: Facing Bugbear

2 strategies available

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

Moderate Threat: Prepare standard combat tactics
Tactical Advantage: Use terrain and positioning

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 3 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 200 XP
Hard: 300 XP
Deadly: 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 Bugbear?: Bugbear has a Challenge Rating of 1, making it appropriate for parties of level 1.0.
What type of creature is Bugbear?: Bugbear is a Medium Humanoid, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Bugbear speak?: Bugbear can communicate in Common, Goblin.