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Medusa

Medium · Monstrosity · CR 6 · Lawful Evil

Source. 5e 2014 Rules

15 (natural armor)

127 (17d8+51)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Monstrosity

Alignment Lawful Evil

XP 2300

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 14

Skills

Deception +5 Insight +4 Perception +4 Stealth +5

Languages

Common

Environments

Arctic or Tundra Caves Desert Forest or Jungle Mountain Plane of Earth Urban

Traits

Petrifying Gaze

When a creature that can see the medusa's eyes starts its turn within 30 ft. of the medusa, the medusa can force it to make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw if the medusa isn't incapacitated and can see the creature. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the creature is instantly petrified. Otherwise, a creature that fails the save begins to turn to stone and is restrained. The restrained creature must repeat the saving throw at the end of its next turn, becoming petrified on a failure or ending the effect on a success. The petrification lasts until the creature is freed by the greater restoration spell or other magic.
Unless surprised, a creature can avert its eyes to avoid the saving throw at the start of its turn. If the creature does so, it can't see the medusa until the start of its next turn, when it can avert its eyes again. If the creature looks at the medusa in the meantime, it must immediately make the save.
If the medusa sees itself reflected on a polished surface within 30 ft. of it and in an area of bright light, the medusa is, due to its curse, affected by its own gaze.

Actions

Longbow

Cost 1

+5 to hit, range 150/600 ft (45.7/182.9 m). Hit: 1d8 thunder damage.

Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage.

Multiattack

Cost 1

The medusa makes either three melee attacks - one with its snake hair and two with its shortsword - or two ranged attacks with its longbow.

Shortsword

Cost 1

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

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

Snake Hair

Cost 1

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d4 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage plus 14 (4d6) poison damage.

About Medusa

Medusa is a medium monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 6. It has a lawful evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 127 hit points (derived from 17d8+51).

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

GM Tips: Using Medusa

2 tips available

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

Significant Threat: Challenging for parties of levels 5-10
Epic Potential: Consider legendary actions for memorable battles

Player Guide: Facing Medusa

2 strategies available

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

Significant Threat: Prepare spells and resources
Team Coordination: Coordinate attacks and defenses

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 6.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 9 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 4,200 XP
Hard: 6,300 XP
Deadly: 8,400 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 Medusa?: Medusa has a Challenge Rating of 6, making it appropriate for parties of level 6.0.
What type of creature is Medusa?: Medusa is a Medium Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Medusa speak?: Medusa can communicate in Common.