Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Sahuagin

Medium · Humanoid · CR 1/2 · Lawful Evil

Source. 5e 2014 Rules

12 (natural armor)

22 (4d8+4)

1/2

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

-1

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Humanoid

Alignment Lawful Evil

XP 100

Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 40 ft (12.2 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 15

Skills

Perception +5

Languages

Sahuagin

Environments

Coast Desert Ocean

Traits

Blood Frenzy

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

Limited Amphibiousness

The sahuagin can breathe air and water, but it needs to be submerged at least once every 4 hours to avoid suffocating.

Shark Telepathy

The sahuagin can magically command any shark within 120 feet of it, using a limited telepathy.

Actions

Bite

Cost 1

+3 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d4 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d4 + 1) piercing damage.

Claws

Cost 1

+3 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d4 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d4 + 1) slashing damage.

Multiattack

Cost 1

The sahuagin makes two melee attacks: one with its bite and one with its claws or spear.

Spear

Cost 1

+3 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8 thunder damage. / +3 to hit, range 20/60 ft (6.1/18.3 m). Hit: 1d6 thunder damage.

Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) piercing damage, or 5 (1d8 + 1) piercing damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack.

About Sahuagin

Sahuagin is a medium humanoid with a Challenge Rating of 1/2. It has a lawful evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 22 hit points (derived from 4d8+4).

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

GM Tips: Using Sahuagin

1 tips available

When using Sahuagin 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 Sahuagin

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 1.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 2 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 75 XP
Hard: 112 XP
Deadly: 150 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 Sahuagin?: Sahuagin has a Challenge Rating of 1/2, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.5.
What type of creature is Sahuagin?: Sahuagin is a Medium Humanoid, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Sahuagin speak?: Sahuagin can communicate in Sahuagin.