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Bonepowder Ghoul

Small · Undead · CR 12 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

18 (natural armor)

180 (24d6 + 96)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Small

Type Undead

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 8400

Initiative Bonus +5

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 16

Saving Throws

Dexterity +9 Constitution +8 Wisdom +6 Charisma +8

Skills

Perception +6 Stealth +9

Languages

Common, Darakhul, Draconic, Dwarvish

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

necrotic, poison

Damage Resistances

cold, lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, poisoned

Traits

Amorphous (Dust Form Only)

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

Hungry Dead Nature

The ghoul requires no air or sleep.

Turning Defiance

The bonepowder ghoul and any ghouls within 30 feet of it have advantage on saving throws against effects that turn Undead.

Actions

Bite

+9 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 3d8+5 plus 2d8 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (3d8 + 5) piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) 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 the target is a Humanoid, it must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or contract the darakhul fever disease (see the Darakhul Fever sidebar).

Gravedust

The ghoul projects a 30-foot cone of grave dust. Each creature in the area must succeed on a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw or take 13 (3d8) necrotic damage. If a creature is a Humanoid, it must also succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or contract the darakhul fever disease (see the Darakhul Fever sidebar).

Spellcasting

(Coalesced Form Only)The bonepowder ghoul casts one of the following spells, requiring no material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 16):

At Will: dispel magic, mage hand, ray of enfeeblement
3/Day Each: blindness/deafness, fear
1/day: phantasmal killer

Whirlwind

Recharge 5–6

(Dust Form Only) The ghoul creates a whirlwind of bones and teeth in a 20-foot cube originating from it. Each creature in that area must make a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 55 (10d10) slashing damage, and its Strength score is reduced by 1d6. The creature dies if this reduces its Strength to 0. Otherwise, the reduction lasts until the target finishes a short or long rest. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and its Strength score isn't reduced.

Reactions

Coalesce

When a bonepowder ghoul deals necrotic damage with Gravedust to at least one creature that isn't a Construct or Undead, it can magically transform from its dusty form into a coalesced form. Its statistics are the same in each form, except it can speak audibly only in its coalesced form. The coalesced form lasts for a number of minutes equal to the total necrotic damage it dealt with Gravedust to creatures that aren't Constructs or Undead or until the ghoul ends it as a bonus action.

About Bonepowder Ghoul

Bonepowder Ghoul is a small undead with a Challenge Rating of 12. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 180 hit points (derived from 24d6 + 96).

Bonepowder Ghoul has communication capabilities including Common, Darakhul, Draconic, Dwarvish. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Bonepowder Ghoul

1 tips available

When using Bonepowder Ghoul 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 Bonepowder Ghoul

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 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 Bonepowder Ghoul?: Bonepowder Ghoul has a Challenge Rating of 12, making it appropriate for parties of level 12.0.
What type of creature is Bonepowder Ghoul?: Bonepowder Ghoul is a Small Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Bonepowder Ghoul speak?: Bonepowder Ghoul can communicate in Common, Darakhul, Draconic, Dwarvish.