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Akyishigal

Large · Fiend · CR 12 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

18 (natural armor)

138 (12d10 + 72)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Fiend

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 8400

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Fly 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Burrow 40 ft (12.2 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Truesight 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 16

Saving Throws

Strength +9 Dexterity +7 Constitution +10 Wisdom +6 Charisma +9

Skills

Acrobatics +11 Athletics +9 Perception +6 Stealth +7

Languages

Abyssal, Common, Draconic, Elvish, Infernal, telepathy 60.0 ft (18.3 m).

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

cold, lightning, poison

Damage Resistances

acid, fire; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

poisoned

Traits

Cloak of Swarms

Akyishigal emits a cloud of flying, stinging insects from his mouth, eyes, and tears in his skin that spreads out in a 5-foot radius from him. At the start of each of his turns, Akyishigal chooses whether this cloak is active.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day)

If Akyishigal fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.

Magic Resistance

Akyishigal has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Actions

Call Spawn

1/day

Akyishigal magically calls one spawn of Akyishigal. The spawn arrives in 1d4 rounds, acting as an ally of Akyishigal and obeying its telepathic commands. The spawn remains for 1 hour, until Akyishigal dies, or until Akyishigal dismisses it as a bonus action.

Claw

+9 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d8+5 plus 1d6 poison damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) slashing damage plus 3 (1d6) poison damage.

Multiattack

Akyishigal makes four Claw attacks.

Spellcasting

Akyishigal casts one of the following spells, requiring no material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 17):

At Will: detect evil and good, pass without trace
3/day: dispel magic, giant insect, insect plague
1/day: contagion (filth fever only)

Bonus Actions

Cast a Spell

Cost 2

Akyishigal uses Spellcasting.

Change Shape

Akyishigal magically transforms into a Large or smaller insectoid Beast or back into his true form, which is a Fiend. His statistics, other than his size, are the same in each form. Any equipment he is wearing or carrying transforms with him. He reverts to his true form if he dies.

Skitter

Cost 2

Akyishigal moves up to half his speed and makes one Claw attack. This movement doesn't provoke opportunity attacks.

Teleport

Akyishigal magically teleports, along with any equipment he is wearing or carrying, up to 120 feet to an unoccupied space he can see.

Legendary Actions

Cast a Spell

Cost 2

Akyishigal uses Spellcasting.

Skitter

Cost 2

Akyishigal moves up to half his speed and makes one Claw attack. This movement doesn't provoke opportunity attacks.

Teleport

Cost 1

Akyishigal magically teleports, along with any equipment he is wearing or carrying, up to 120 feet to an unoccupied space he can see.

About Akyishigal

Akyishigal is a large fiend with a Challenge Rating of 12. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 138 hit points (derived from 12d10 + 72).

Akyishigal has communication capabilities including Abyssal, Common, Draconic, Elvish, Infernal, telepathy 60 ft.. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Akyishigal

3 tips available

When using Akyishigal 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.
Burrowing Tactics: This creature can burrow at 40 ft. It can ambush from underground or escape combat by digging. Use 'Earthbind' or create difficult terrain to limit burrowing. Consider fighting in areas without soft ground.
Telepathic Communication: This creature can communicate telepathically, making it excellent for coordination with allies. Silence spells won't stop its communication. Consider 'Mind Blank' or abilities that block telepathy.

Player Guide: Facing Akyishigal

3 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.
Burrowing Defense: This creature can burrow at 40 ft! It can ambush from underground. Use 'Earthbind', create difficult terrain, or fight on hard surfaces. 'Stone Shape' can seal burrows.
Telepathy Awareness: This creature communicates telepathically! It can coordinate with allies silently. Silence won't stop it. Use 'Mind Blank' or abilities that block telepathy. Be cautious of mental attacks.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 12.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 16 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 15,600 XP
Hard: 23,400 XP
Deadly: 31,200 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 Akyishigal?: Akyishigal has a Challenge Rating of 12, making it appropriate for parties of level 12.0.
What type of creature is Akyishigal?: Akyishigal is a Large Fiend, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Akyishigal speak?: Akyishigal can communicate in Abyssal, Common, Draconic, Elvish, Infernal, telepathy 60 ft..