Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Gargoyle

Medium · Elemental · CR 2 · Chaotic Evil

Source. 5e 2014 Rules

15 (natural armor)

52 (7d8+21)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Elemental

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 450

Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Fly 60 ft (18.3 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

Languages

Terran

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks not made with adamantine weapons

Condition Immunities

exhaustion, petrified, poisoned

Environments

Hills Laboratory Mountain Ruins Plane of Earth Temple Tomb Underworld Urban

Traits

False Appearance

While the gargoyle remains motion less, it is indistinguishable from an inanimate statue.

Actions

Bite

Cost 1

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.

Claws

Cost 1

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage.

Multiattack

Cost 1

The gargoyle makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claws.

About Gargoyle

Gargoyle is a medium elemental with a Challenge Rating of 2. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 52 hit points (derived from 7d8+21).

Gargoyle has communication capabilities including Terran. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Gargoyle

1 tips available

When using Gargoyle 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 Gargoyle

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 2.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 4 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 600 XP
Hard: 900 XP
Deadly: 1,200 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 Gargoyle?: Gargoyle has a Challenge Rating of 2, making it appropriate for parties of level 2.0.
What type of creature is Gargoyle?: Gargoyle is a Medium Elemental, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Gargoyle speak?: Gargoyle can communicate in Terran.