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Kongamato

Large · Beast · CR 6 · Unaligned

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

16 (natural armor)

127 (17d10 + 34)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Beast

Alignment Unaligned

XP 2300

Initiative Bonus +4

Movement

Walk 60 ft (18.3 m)

Fly 10 ft (3 m)

Swim 30 ft (9.1 m)

Climb 30 ft (9.1 m)

Crawl 30 ft (9.1 m)

Senses

Passive Perception 13

Skills

Perception +3

Traits

Breaker of Boats

The kongamato deals double damage to objects and structures made of wood or lighter materials.

Carry Off

The kongamato can fly at half its flying speed when dragging two creatures it has grappled or at its full flying speed if dragging only one creature it has grappled.

Flyby

The kongamato doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy’s reach.

Actions

Beak

+7 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d10+4 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 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 15) if it is a Medium or smaller creature. The kongamato has two claws, each of which can grapple only one target.

Multiattack

The kongamato makes one Beak attack and two Claw attacks.

Terrifying Screech

Recharge 5–6

The kongamato releases a screech in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in the area must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 28 (8d6) thunder damage and is frightened until the end of its next turn. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn't frightened.

About Kongamato

Kongamato is a large beast with a Challenge Rating of 6. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 127 hit points (derived from 17d10 + 34).

GM Tips: Using Kongamato

1 tips available

When using Kongamato 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 Kongamato

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 6.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 9 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 4,200 XP
Hard: 6,300 XP
Deadly: 8,400 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 Kongamato?: Kongamato has a Challenge Rating of 6, making it appropriate for parties of level 6.0.
What type of creature is Kongamato?: Kongamato is a Large Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.