Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Fear Smith

Medium · Fey · CR 10 · Chaotic Neutral

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

17 (natural armor)

149 (23d8 + 46)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Fey

Alignment Chaotic Neutral

XP 5900

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 15 ft (4.6 m)

Swim 7 ft (2.1 m)

Climb 7 ft (2.1 m)

Crawl 7 ft (2.1 m)

Senses

Blindsight 30 ft (9.1 m)

Passive Perception 12

Saving Throws

Wisdom +6

Skills

Intimidation +8 Stealth +7

Languages

Common, Elvish, Sylvan

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from attacks not made with cold iron weapons

Condition Immunities

charmed, frightened

Traits

Distortion Gaze

Those who meet the gaze of the fear smith experience the world seeming to twist at unnatural angles beneath their feet. When a creature that can see the fear smith’s eye starts its turn within 30 feet of the fear smith, the fear smith can force the creature to make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw if the fear smith isn’t incapacitated and can see the creature. On a failed save, the creature is disoriented until the start of its next turn. While disoriented, a creature can’t take the Dash or Disengage action, and when it moves for the first time on its turn, it must succeed on a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone.

Hidden Eye

The fear smith has advantage on saving throws against being blinded.

Magic Resistance

The fear smith has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Actions

Claw

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8+3 plus 2d8 psychic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) slashing damage plus 9 (2d8) psychic damage. If the target is disoriented by Distortion Gaze, the fear smith regains hp equal to the amount of psychic damage dealt.

Heart-Stopping Stare

The fear smith terrifies a creature within 30 feet of it with a look. The target must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or take 13 (3d8) psychic damage and be stunned until the end of its next turn. The fear smith regains hp equal to the psychic damage dealt.

Multiattack

The fear smith makes three Claw attacks. It can replace one attack with a use of Heart-Stopping Stare.

Spellcasting

The fear smith casts one of the following spells, requiring no verbal or material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 16):

At Will: detect thoughts, fear
2/Day Each: charm person, command

About Fear Smith

Fear Smith is a medium fey with a Challenge Rating of 10. It has a chaotic neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 149 hit points (derived from 23d8 + 46).

Fear Smith has communication capabilities including Common, Elvish, Sylvan. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Fear Smith

2 tips available

When using Fear Smith 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 Fear Smith

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 10.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 13 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 11,000 XP
Hard: 16,500 XP
Deadly: 22,000 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 Fear Smith?: Fear Smith has a Challenge Rating of 10, making it appropriate for parties of level 10.0.
What type of creature is Fear Smith?: Fear Smith is a Medium Fey, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Fear Smith speak?: Fear Smith can communicate in Common, Elvish, Sylvan.