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Corpse Mound

Huge · Undead · CR 11 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

16 (natural armor)

207 (18d12 + 90)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

-1

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Huge

Type Undead

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 7200

Initiative Bonus +0

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 10

Saving Throws

Constitution +9 Intelligence +2 Wisdom +4

Languages

understands Common but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Resistances

necrotic

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned

Traits

Absorb the Dead

Whenever a Large or smaller creature that isn’t a Construct or Undead dies within 10 feet of the corpse mound, that creature’s remains join with the mound, and the mound regains hp equal to twice the CR or level of the absorbed creature. The absorbed creature can’t be returned to life by any spell or effect that requires a body, unless the body is retrieved from the corpse mound.

Noxious Aura

At the end of each of the corpse mound’s turns, each creature within 20 feet of it must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned until the end of its next turn. On a successful saving throw, the creature is immune to the mound’s Noxious Aura for 24 hours.

Undead Nature

The corpse mound doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.

Zombie Drop

At the start of each of the corpse mound’s turns, it can choose to have one corpse fall from it and immediately rise as a zombie under its control. The mound can have no more than ten zombies under its control at one time. Zombies take their turns immediately after the corpse mound’s turn.

Actions

Bone Shard

+11 to hit, range 30/120 ft (9.1/36.6 m). Hit: 2d6+7 plus 3d6 necrotic damage.

Ranged Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d6 + 7) piercing damage plus 10 (3d6) necrotic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 17 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone and restrained as it is pinned to the ground by the shard. A creature, including the restrained target, can take its action to free the target by succeeding on a DC 17 Strength check.

Envelop

The corpse mound envelops a Large or smaller creature within 5 feet of it that is restrained by its Bone Shard or a Large or smaller creature grappled by it. The enveloped target is blinded, restrained, and unable to breathe, and it must succeed on a DC 17 Strength saving throw at the start of each of the mound's turns or take 18 (2d10 + 7) bludgeoning damage. If the mound moves, the enveloped target moves with it. The mound can have no more than four creatures enveloped at a time.

Multiattack

The corpse mound makes two Slam or Bone Shard attacks. If both Slam attacks hit a Large or smaller target, the corpse mound can immediately use Envelop on it.

Slam

+11 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d10+7 plus 3d6 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d10 + 7) bludgeoning damage plus 10 (3d6) necrotic damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 17). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained.

About Corpse Mound

Corpse Mound is a huge undead with a Challenge Rating of 11. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 207 hit points (derived from 18d12 + 90).

Corpse Mound has communication capabilities including understands Common but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Corpse Mound

2 tips available

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

Boss Encounter: Suitable for climactic moments
Multi-phase Battle: Plan dramatic tension with multiple phases

Player Guide: Facing Corpse Mound

2 strategies available

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

Major Threat: Prepare for epic battle
Resource Management: Conserve powerful abilities

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 11.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 15 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 13,200 XP
Hard: 19,800 XP
Deadly: 26,400 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 Corpse Mound?: Corpse Mound has a Challenge Rating of 11, making it appropriate for parties of level 11.0.
What type of creature is Corpse Mound?: Corpse Mound is a Huge Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Corpse Mound speak?: Corpse Mound can communicate in understands Common but can't speak.