Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Giant Octopus

Large · Beast · CR 1 · Unaligned

Source. 5e 2014 Rules

52 (8d10+8)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-3

WIS

CHA

-3

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Beast

Alignment Unaligned

XP 200

Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 10 ft (3 m)

Swim 60 ft (18.3 m)

Climb 5 ft (1.5 m)

Crawl 5 ft (1.5 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 14

Skills

Perception +4 Stealth +5

Environments

Ocean

Traits

Hold Breath

While out of water, the octopus can hold its breath for 1 hour.

Underwater Camouflage

The octopus has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made while underwater.

Water Breathing

The octopus can breathe only underwater.

Actions

Ink Cloud

Cost 1

A 20-foot-radius cloud of ink extends all around the octopus if it is underwater. The area is heavily obscured for 1 minute, although a significant current can disperse the ink. After releasing the ink, the octopus can use the Dash action as a bonus action.

Tentacles

Cost 1

+5 to hit, reach 15 ft (4.6 m). Hit: 2d6 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it is grappled (escape DC 16). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the octopus can't use its tentacles on another target.

About Giant Octopus

Giant Octopus is a large beast with a Challenge Rating of 1. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 11 and possesses 52 hit points (derived from 8d10+8).

GM Tips: Using Giant Octopus

1 tips available

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

Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 60 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.

Player Guide: Facing Giant Octopus

1 strategies available

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

Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 60 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.

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 Giant Octopus?: Giant Octopus has a Challenge Rating of 1, making it appropriate for parties of level 1.0.
What type of creature is Giant Octopus?: Giant Octopus is a Large Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.