Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Giant Shark

Huge · Beast · CR 5 · Unaligned

Source. 5e 2014 Rules

13 (natural armor)

126 (11d12+55)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-5

WIS

CHA

-3

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Huge

Type Beast

Alignment Unaligned

XP 1800

Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

Swim 50 ft (15.2 m)

Senses

Blindsight 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 13

Skills

Perception +3

Environments

Ocean Plane of Water

Traits

Blood Frenzy

The shark has advantage on melee attack rolls against any creature that doesn't have all its hit points.

Water Breathing

The shark can breathe only underwater.

Actions

Bite

Cost 1

+9 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 3d10 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (3d10 + 6) piercing damage.

About Giant Shark

Giant Shark is a huge beast with a Challenge Rating of 5. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 126 hit points (derived from 11d12+55).

GM Tips: Using Giant Shark

1 tips available

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

Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 50 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.

Player Guide: Facing Giant Shark

1 strategies available

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

Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 50 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 5.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 7 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 3,000 XP
Hard: 4,500 XP
Deadly: 6,000 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 Giant Shark?: Giant Shark has a Challenge Rating of 5, making it appropriate for parties of level 5.0.
What type of creature is Giant Shark?: Giant Shark is a Huge Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.