Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Ghoul

Medium · Undead · CR 1 · Chaotic Evil

Source. 5e 2014 Rules

22 (5d8)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Subcategory Ghouls

Size Medium

Type Undead

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

Languages

Common

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, poisoned

Environments

Arctic or Tundra Caves Desert Forest or Jungle Grassland or Plains Hills Mountain Ruins Sewer Shadowfell The Abyss Swamp or Marsh Temple Tomb Underworld Urban

Actions

Bite

Cost 1

+2 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) piercing damage.

Claws

Cost 1

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

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) slashing damage. If the target is a creature other than an elf or undead, it must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

About Ghoul

Ghoul is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 1. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 22 hit points (derived from 5d8).

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

GM Tips: Using Ghoul

2 tips available

When using Ghoul 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 Ghoul

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 Ghoul?: Ghoul has a Challenge Rating of 1, making it appropriate for parties of level 1.0.
What type of creature is Ghoul?: Ghoul is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Ghoul speak?: Ghoul can communicate in Common.