Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Skeleton

Medium · Undead · CR 1/4 · Lawful Evil

Source. 5e 2014 Rules

13 (armor scraps)

13 (2d8+4)

1/4

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

-1

CHA

-3

Overview

Category Monsters

Subcategory Skeletons

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Lawful Evil

XP 50

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 9

Languages

understands the languages it knew in life but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Vulnerabilities

bludgeoning

Condition Immunities

exhaustion, poisoned

Environments

Ruins Shadowfell Temple Tomb Urban

Actions

Shortbow

Cost 1

+4 to hit, range 80/320 ft (24.4/97.5 m). Hit: 1d6 thunder damage.

Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.

Shortsword

Cost 1

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.

About Skeleton

Skeleton is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 1/4. It has a lawful evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 13 hit points (derived from 2d8+4).

Skeleton has communication capabilities including understands the languages it knew in life but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Skeleton

2 tips available

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

Minion Strategy: Use as scouts or minions for larger threats
Group Tactics: Group 3-4 together to pose a moderate threat

Player Guide: Facing Skeleton

2 strategies available

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

Easy Target: This creature is weak - focus on other threats
Group Threat: Multiple can be dangerous - use area attacks

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: 31 XP
Hard: 46 XP
Deadly: 62 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 Skeleton?: Skeleton has a Challenge Rating of 1/4, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.25.
What type of creature is Skeleton?: Skeleton is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Skeleton speak?: Skeleton can communicate in understands the languages it knew in life but can't speak.