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Gypsosphinx

Large · Monstrosity · CR 14 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

17 (natural armor)

190 (20d10 + 80)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Monstrosity

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 11500

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 70 ft (21.3 m)

Fly 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 35 ft (10.7 m)

Climb 35 ft (10.7 m)

Crawl 35 ft (10.7 m)

Senses

Truesight 90 ft (27.4 m)

Passive Perception 19

Skills

Arcana +9 History +9 Perception +9 Religion +9

Languages

Abyssal, Common, Darakhul, Sphinx

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

psychic, poison

Damage Resistances

necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

poisoned

Traits

Death Sense

The sphinx can pinpoint, by scent, the location of each creature below half its hp maximum within 60 feet of it, and it can sense the general direction of creatures that don’t have all of their hp within 1 mile of it. In addition, the sphinx can foretell the age and manner of a creature’s death by looking at it. This effect doesn’t take into account possible circumstances that might change the outcome, such as the casting of powerful spells or the creature making a radical change in its life’s path.

Inscrutable

The sphinx is immune to any effect that would sense its emotions or read its thoughts, as well as any divination spell that it refuses. Wisdom (Insight) checks made to ascertain the sphinx’s intentions or sincerity have disadvantage.

Magic Weapons

The sphinx’s weapon attacks are magical.

Actions

Beak

+10 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 1d10+5 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) piercing damage.

Carrion Breath

Recharge 5–6

The gypsosphinx exhales rotting breath in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in the area must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 21 (6d6) poison damage and 27 (6d8) necrotic damage and is poisoned for 1 minute. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn't poisoned. While poisoned in this way, a creature has disadvantage on death saving throws. A poisoned creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Claw

+10 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 4d6+5 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (4d6 + 5) slashing damage.

Multiattack

The sphinx makes one Beak attack and two Claw attacks. If both Claw attacks hit one creature, the target must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or take 14 (4d6) slashing damage and be knocked prone.

Spellcasting

The sphinx casts one of the following spells, requiring no material components and using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 17):

At Will: comprehend languages, detect magic, mage hand
3/Day Each: blur, dispel magic, locate object
1/Day Each: major image, greater invisibility

Legendary Actions

Beak Attack

Cost 1

The sphinx makes one Beak attack.

Cast a Spell

Cost 2

The sphinx uses Spellcasting.

Teleport

Cost 2

The sphinx magically teleports, along with any equipment it is wearing or carrying, up to 120 feet to an unoccupied space it can see.

About Gypsosphinx

Gypsosphinx is a large monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 14. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 190 hit points (derived from 20d10 + 80).

Gypsosphinx has communication capabilities including Abyssal, Common, Darakhul, Sphinx. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Gypsosphinx

1 tips available

When using Gypsosphinx 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.

Player Guide: Facing Gypsosphinx

1 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.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 14.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 18 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 21,000 XP
Hard: 31,500 XP
Deadly: 42,000 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 Gypsosphinx?: Gypsosphinx has a Challenge Rating of 14, making it appropriate for parties of level 14.0.
What type of creature is Gypsosphinx?: Gypsosphinx is a Large Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Gypsosphinx speak?: Gypsosphinx can communicate in Abyssal, Common, Darakhul, Sphinx.