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Dream Eater

Medium · Fiend · CR 5 · Lawful Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

15 (natural armor)

75 (10d8 + 30)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Fiend

Alignment Lawful Evil

XP 1800

Initiative Bonus +4

Movement

Walk 20 ft (6.1 m)

Fly 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 10 ft (3 m)

Climb 10 ft (3 m)

Crawl 10 ft (3 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 11

Skills

Deception +8 Insight +4 Persuasion +8

Languages

Abyssal, Celestial, Common, Infernal, telepathy 120.0 ft (36.6 m).

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Resistances

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

Condition Immunities

poisoned

Traits

Dream Eater’s Caress

A creature that starts its turn grappled by the dream eater must succeed on a DC 14 Charisma saving throw or take 5 (2d4) psychic damage. The dream eater gains temporary hp equal to the psychic damage dealt.

Actions

Bite

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d10+4 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) piercing damage.

Claw

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8+4 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) slashing damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 14) if it is a Large or smaller creature. Until this grapple ends, the creature is restrained. The dream eater has two claws, each of which can grapple only one target.

Lotus Scent

The dream eater secretes an oily chemical that most creatures find intoxicating. Each creature that isn't a Construct or Undead within 15 feet of the dream eater must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. While poisoned, the creature is charmed by the fiend. A poisoned creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the dream eater's Lotus Scent for the next 24 hours.

Multiattack

The dream eater uses its Lotus Scent. It then makes one Bite attack and one Claw attack.

Waking Dreams

Recharge 5–6

Each creature within 20 feet of the dream eater must make a DC 14 Charisma saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 21 (6d6) psychic damage and is incapacitated for 1 minute. When it moves, an incapacitated creature moves in a random direction. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn't incapacitated. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Bonus Actions

Change Shape

The dream eater magically transforms into a Small or Medium humanoid it has seen, or back into its true form, which is a Fiend. Its statistics, other than its size, are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying transforms with it. It reverts to its true form if it dies.

About Dream Eater

Dream Eater is a medium fiend with a Challenge Rating of 5. It has a lawful evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 75 hit points (derived from 10d8 + 30).

Dream Eater has communication capabilities including Abyssal, Celestial, Common, Infernal, telepathy 120 ft.. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Dream Eater

2 tips available

When using Dream Eater 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.
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 Dream Eater

2 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.
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 5.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 7 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 3,000 XP
Hard: 4,500 XP
Deadly: 6,000 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 Dream Eater?: Dream Eater has a Challenge Rating of 5, making it appropriate for parties of level 5.0.
What type of creature is Dream Eater?: Dream Eater is a Medium Fiend, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Dream Eater speak?: Dream Eater can communicate in Abyssal, Celestial, Common, Infernal, telepathy 120 ft..