Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Werewolf

Medium · Humanoid · CR 3 · Chaotic Evil

Source. 5e 2014 Rules

11 (11 in humanoid form, 12 (natural armor) in wolf or hybrid form)

58 (9d8+18)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Subcategory Lycanthropes

Size Medium

Type Humanoid

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 700

Initiative Bonus +1

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

Passive Perception 14

Skills

Perception +4 Stealth +3

Languages

Common (can't speak in wolf form)

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks not made with silvered weapons

Environments

Forest or Jungle Hills

Traits

Keen Hearing and Smell

The werewolf has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.

Shapechanger

The werewolf can use its action to polymorph into a wolf-humanoid hybrid or into a wolf, or back into its true form, which is humanoid. Its statistics, other than its AC, are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn't transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.

Actions

Bite

Cost 1

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage. If the target is a humanoid, it must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be cursed with werewolf lycanthropy.

Claws

Cost 1

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d4 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) slashing damage.

Multiattack

Cost 1

The werewolf makes two attacks: two with its spear (humanoid form) or one with its bite and one with its claws (hybrid form).

Spear

Cost 1

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8 thunder damage. / +4 to hit, range 20/60 ft (6.1/18.3 m). Hit: 1d6 thunder damage.

Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one creature. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage, or 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack.

About Werewolf

Werewolf is a medium humanoid with a Challenge Rating of 3. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 11 and possesses 58 hit points (derived from 9d8+18).

Werewolf has communication capabilities including Common (can't speak in wolf form). This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Werewolf

1 tips available

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

Shapechanging Tactics: This creature can change form, potentially gaining new abilities or escaping. Use 'True Seeing' or abilities that reveal true form. Consider finishing blows before it transforms.

Player Guide: Facing Werewolf

1 strategies available

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

Counter Shapechanging: This creature can change form! Use 'True Seeing' to see its true form. Finish it quickly before it transforms. 'Dispel Magic' might prevent transformation.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 3.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 5 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 1,200 XP
Hard: 1,800 XP
Deadly: 2,400 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 Werewolf?: Werewolf has a Challenge Rating of 3, making it appropriate for parties of level 3.0.
What type of creature is Werewolf?: Werewolf is a Medium Humanoid, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Werewolf speak?: Werewolf can communicate in Common (can't speak in wolf form).