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Rakshasa

Medium · Fiend · CR 13 · Lawful Evil

Source. 5e 2014 Rules

16 (natural armor)

110 (13d8+52)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Fiend

Alignment Lawful Evil

XP 10000

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 13

Skills

Deception +10 Insight +8

Languages

Common, Infernal

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Damage Vulnerabilities

piercing from magic weapons wielded by good creatures

Environments

Desert Forest or Jungle Grassland or Plains Hills The Abyss Hell Swamp or Marsh Urban

Traits

Innate Spellcasting

The rakshasa's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 18, +10 to hit with spell attacks). The rakshasa can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: detect thoughts, disguise self, mage hand, minor illusion
3/day each: charm person, detect magic, invisibility, major image, suggestion
1/day each: dominate person, fly, plane shift, true seeing

Limited Magic Immunity

The rakshasa can't be affected or detected by spells of 6th level or lower unless it wishes to be. It has advantage on saving throws against all other spells and magical effects.

Actions

Claw

Cost 1

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) slashing damage, and the target is cursed if it is a creature. The magical curse takes effect whenever the target takes a short or long rest, filling the target's thoughts with horrible images and dreams. The cursed target gains no benefit from finishing a short or long rest. The curse lasts until it is lifted by a remove curse spell or similar magic.

Multiattack

Cost 1

The rakshasa makes two claw attacks

About Rakshasa

Rakshasa is a medium fiend with a Challenge Rating of 13. It has a lawful evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 110 hit points (derived from 13d8+52).

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

GM Tips: Using Rakshasa

1 tips available

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

Flight Control Strategy: Target flying creatures with spells like 'Hold Person', 'Web', or 'Grease' to ground them. Without flight restriction, they can escape melee range easily. Consider area denial spells below their flight altitude to force them into disadvantageous positions.

Player Guide: Facing Rakshasa

1 strategies available

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

Counter Flight Advantage: This creature can fly! Use ranged attacks, reach weapons, or spells like 'Thunderwave' to push it away. Consider 'Gust of Wind' or 'Earthbind' to ground it. Melee characters need fly speed or flight magic to engage.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 13.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 17 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 18,200 XP
Hard: 27,300 XP
Deadly: 36,400 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 Rakshasa?: Rakshasa has a Challenge Rating of 13, making it appropriate for parties of level 13.0.
What type of creature is Rakshasa?: Rakshasa is a Medium Fiend, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Rakshasa speak?: Rakshasa can communicate in Common, Infernal.