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Shadow

Medium · Undead · CR 1/2 · Chaotic Evil

Source. 5e 2014 Rules

16 (3d8+3)

1/2

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-2

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

-1

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 100

Initiative Bonus +2

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 10

Skills

Stealth +4

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

necrotic, poison

Damage Resistances

acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Damage Vulnerabilities

radiant

Condition Immunities

exhaustion, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained

Environments

Caves Ruins Shadowfell Tomb Underworld Urban

Traits

Amorphous

The shadow can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing.

Shadow Stealth

While in dim light or darkness, the shadow can take the Hide action as a bonus action.

Sunlight Weakness

While in sunlight, the shadow has disadvantage on attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws.

Actions

Strength Drain

Cost 1

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) necrotic damage, and the target's Strength score is reduced by 1d4. The target dies if this reduces its Strength to 0. Otherwise, the reduction lasts until the target finishes a short or long rest.
If a non-evil humanoid dies from this attack, a new shadow rises from the corpse 1d4 hours later.

About Shadow

Shadow is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 1/2. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 16 hit points (derived from 3d8+3).

GM Tips: Using Shadow

1 tips available

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

Amorphous Movement: This creature can squeeze through spaces as small as 1 inch! Traditional barriers are ineffective. Use 'Wall of Force', 'Forcecage', or magical barriers to contain it.

Player Guide: Facing Shadow

1 strategies available

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

Contain Amorphous Creature: This creature can squeeze through tiny spaces! Traditional barriers won't work. Use 'Wall of Force', 'Forcecage', or magical barriers. 'Create Bonfire' can block movement.

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 Shadow?: Shadow has a Challenge Rating of 1/2, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.5.
What type of creature is Shadow?: Shadow is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.