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Iron Ghoul

Medium · Undead · CR 5 · Lawful Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

16 (breastplate)

143 (22d8 + 44)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Lawful Evil

XP 1800

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 20 ft (6.1 m)

Swim 10 ft (3 m)

Climb 10 ft (3 m)

Burrow 30 ft (9.1 m)

Crawl 10 ft (3 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 12

Languages

Common, Darakhul, Undercommon

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, poisoned

Traits

Hungry Dead Nature

The ghoul requires no air or sleep.

Turning Defiance

The iron ghoul and any ghouls within 30 feet of it have advantage on saving throws against effects that turn Undead.

Actions

Bite

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 3d8+4 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (3d8 + 4) piercing damage. If the target is a Humanoid, it must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or contract the darakhul fever disease (see the Darakhul Fever sidebar).

Claw

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 4d6+4 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (4d6 + 4) slashing damage. If the target is a creature other than an elf or Undead, it must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Glaive

+7 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 1d10+4 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d10 + 4) slashing damage.

Heavy Crossbow

+6 to hit, range 100 ft (30.5 m). Hit: 1d10+3 piercing damage.

Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 100/400, one target. Hit: 8 (1d10 + 3) piercing damage.

Multiattack

The iron ghoul makes one Bite attack and one Claw attack, or it makes three Glaive attacks.

About Iron Ghoul

Iron Ghoul is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 5. It has a lawful evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 143 hit points (derived from 22d8 + 44).

Iron Ghoul has communication capabilities including Common, Darakhul, Undercommon. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Iron Ghoul

1 tips available

When using Iron Ghoul in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Burrowing Tactics: This creature can burrow at 30 ft. It can ambush from underground or escape combat by digging. Use 'Earthbind' or create difficult terrain to limit burrowing. Consider fighting in areas without soft ground.

Player Guide: Facing Iron Ghoul

1 strategies available

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

Burrowing Defense: This creature can burrow at 30 ft! It can ambush from underground. Use 'Earthbind', create difficult terrain, or fight on hard surfaces. 'Stone Shape' can seal burrows.

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 Iron Ghoul?: Iron Ghoul has a Challenge Rating of 5, making it appropriate for parties of level 5.0.
What type of creature is Iron Ghoul?: Iron Ghoul is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Iron Ghoul speak?: Iron Ghoul can communicate in Common, Darakhul, Undercommon.