Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Plesiosaurus

Large · Beast · CR 2 · Unaligned

Source. 5e 2014 Rules

13 (natural armor)

68 (8d10+24)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-3

Overview

Category Monsters

Subcategory Dinosaurs

Size Large

Type Beast

Alignment Unaligned

XP 450

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 20 ft (6.1 m)

Swim 40 ft (12.2 m)

Climb 10 ft (3 m)

Crawl 10 ft (3 m)

Senses

Passive Perception 13

Skills

Perception +3 Stealth +4

Environments

Coast Desert Ocean Plane of Water

Traits

Hold Breath

The plesiosaurus can hold its breath for 1 hour.

Actions

Bite

Cost 1

+6 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 3d6 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (3d6 + 4) piercing damage.

About Plesiosaurus

Plesiosaurus is a large beast with a Challenge Rating of 2. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 68 hit points (derived from 8d10+24).

GM Tips: Using Plesiosaurus

1 tips available

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

Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 40 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.

Player Guide: Facing Plesiosaurus

1 strategies available

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

Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 40 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 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 Plesiosaurus?: Plesiosaurus has a Challenge Rating of 2, making it appropriate for parties of level 2.0.
What type of creature is Plesiosaurus?: Plesiosaurus is a Large Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.