Creature Reference Back to Creatures

City Watch Captain

Medium · Humanoid · CR 4 · Any Lawful Alignment

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

15 (chain shirt)

91 (14d8 + 28)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Humanoid

Alignment Any Lawful Alignment

XP 1100

Initiative Bonus +3

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

Languages

any one language (usually Common)

Traits

Point Blank Fencer

A rapier deals one extra die of its damage when the city watch captain hits with it (included in the attack). In addition, the captain ignores the loading property of crossbows and doesn’t have disadvantage on the attack roll with a crossbow from being within 5 feet of a hostile creature. The captain may still have disadvantage on such an attack from other sources.

Tactical Insight

The city watch captain has advantage on initiative rolls, and friendly creatures within 30 feet of the captain and under the captain’s command can choose to take the captain’s initiative instead of their own when combat starts.

Actions

Issue Orders

The city watch captain shouts orders at up to two friendly creatures it can see within 30 feet of it. Each target can do one of the following as a reaction:

Light Crossbow

+5 to hit, range 80/320 ft (24.4/97.5 m). Hit: 1d8+3 piercing damage.

Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.

Multiattack

The city watch captain can use its Issue Orders. It then makes two Rapier attacks or three Light Crossbow attacks, or it makes one Rapier attack and two Light Crossbow attacks.

Rapier

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

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) piercing damage. Instead of dealing damage, the city watch captain can force the target to drop one weapon it is wielding or drop one item it is carrying. If the captain chooses to make the target drop an item, the item can't be wrapped around or firmly attached to the target, such as a shirt or armor. The item lands in a space of the captain's choice within 5 feet of the target.

About City Watch Captain

City Watch Captain is a medium humanoid with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a any lawful alignment alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 91 hit points (derived from 14d8 + 28).

City Watch Captain has communication capabilities including any one language (usually Common). This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using City Watch Captain

2 tips available

When using City Watch Captain in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Mid-level Encounter: Ideal for parties levels 3-8 as solo or small groups
Terrain Advantage: Use terrain to offset moderate combat abilities

Player Guide: Facing City Watch Captain

2 strategies available

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

Moderate Threat: Prepare standard combat tactics
Tactical Advantage: Use terrain and positioning

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

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

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 6 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 2,000 XP
Hard: 3,000 XP
Deadly: 4,000 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 City Watch Captain?: City Watch Captain has a Challenge Rating of 4, making it appropriate for parties of level 4.0.
What type of creature is City Watch Captain?: City Watch Captain is a Medium Humanoid, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does City Watch Captain speak?: City Watch Captain can communicate in any one language (usually Common).