Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Mngwa

Medium · Aberration · CR 4 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

16 (Ethereal Coat)

91 (14d8 + 28)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Aberration

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 1100

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 15

Skills

Perception +5 Stealth +7

Languages

Common, Sylvan

Traits

Ethereal Coat

The mngwa’s AC includes its Charisma modifier (included above).

Ethereal Sight

The mngwa can see 30 feet into the Ethereal Plane when on the Material Plane and vice versa.

Feline Passivism

No felines or weretigers can willingly attack the mngwa. They can be forced to do so through magical means.

Keen Smell

The mngwa has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.

Pack Tactics

The mngwa has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the mngwa’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.

Running Leap

With a 10-foot running start, the mngwa can long jump up to 25 feet.

Speak with Felines

The mngwa can communicate with felines as if they shared a language.

Actions

Claw

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6+4 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) slashing damage.

Ethereal Bite

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8+4 plus 2d4 force damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage plus 5 (2d4) force damage.

Multiattack

The mngwa makes one Ethereal Bite attack and two Claw attacks.

Bonus Actions

Ethereal Step

The mngwa magically shifts from the Material Plane to the Ethereal Plane, or vice versa. When it leaves or enters the Material Plane, a puff of gray smoke briefly appears in the space on the Material Plane it leaves or enters.

About Mngwa

Mngwa is a medium aberration with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 91 hit points (derived from 14d8 + 28).

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

GM Tips: Using Mngwa

2 tips available

When using Mngwa 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.
Pack Tactics Advantage: This creature has advantage on attack rolls when an ally is within 5 feet! Separate it from its pack or use 'Fear' spells to scatter allies. Single-target encounters reduce its effectiveness.

Player Guide: Facing Mngwa

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.
Counter Pack Tactics: This creature has advantage when allies are nearby! Separate it from its pack. Use 'Fear' spells to scatter allies. Single-target encounters reduce its effectiveness.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

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

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 6 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 2,000 XP
Hard: 3,000 XP
Deadly: 4,000 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 Mngwa?: Mngwa has a Challenge Rating of 4, making it appropriate for parties of level 4.0.
What type of creature is Mngwa?: Mngwa is a Medium Aberration, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Mngwa speak?: Mngwa can communicate in Common, Sylvan.