Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Moonlit King

Medium · Fey · CR 17 · Neutral Good

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

17 (natural armor)

204 (24d8 + 96)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Fey

Alignment Neutral Good

XP 18000

Initiative Bonus +5

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Blindsight 30 ft (9.1 m)

Passive Perception 20

Saving Throws

Constitution +10 Wisdom +10 Charisma +11

Skills

Arcana +11 Perception +10

Languages

Abyssal, Celestial, Common, Draconic, Elvish, Infernal, Umbral, telepathy 120.0 ft (36.6 m).

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

cold, fire, poison

Damage Resistances

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

Condition Immunities

charmed, frightened, poisoned

Traits

Legendary Resistance (3/Day)

If the Moonlit King fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.

Moonlit Weapons

The Moonlit King’s weapon attacks are magical. When he hits with any weapon, the weapon deals an extra 14 (4d6) radiant damage (included in the attack).

Actions

Animate Shadows

Recharge 5–6

The Moonlit King causes the shadows of up to three creatures he can see within 60 feet of him to animate and attack their owners. Each target must make a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 49 (14d6) necrotic damage, and its Strength score is reduced by 1d4. On a success, a creature takes half the damage, and its Strength score isn't reduced. This reduction lasts until the creature finishes a long rest. The creature dies if this effect reduces its Strength to 0.

Crystal Staff

+11 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+5 plus 4d6 radiant damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage plus 14 (4d6) radiant damage.

Moon Bolt

+11 to hit, range 120 ft (36.6 m). Hit: 4d10+5 radiant damage.

Ranged Spell Attack: +11 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 27 (4d10 + 5) radiant damage, and the target sheds dim light in a 10-foot radius until the end of its next turn. If the target is a creature in a form other than its true form, it takes an extra 11 (2d10) radiant damage and must succeed on a DC 19 Charisma saving throw or revert to its true form.

Spellcasting

The Moonlit King casts one of the following spells, requiring no material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (save DC 19):

At Will: continual flame, invisibility (self only), moonbeam, zone of truth
3/Day Each: dispel evil and good, dispel magic, major image
1/Day Each: heal, project image

Summon Devil

1/day

The Moonlit King magically calls a lunar devil to aid him. The devil arrives in 1d4 rounds, acting as ally of the Moonlit King and obeying his spoken commands. The devil remains for 1 hour, until the Moonlit King dies, or until the King dismisses it as a bonus action.

Bonus Actions

Moonlight Step

The Moonlit King teleports, along with any equipment he is wearing or carrying, up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space he can see. The origin and destination spaces must contain moonlight.

Reactions

Shadow Slip

When a creature the Moonlit King can see within 30 feet of him attacks him, he takes on the quality of his manifest delusions, temporarily becoming ghostly. The attack roll has disadvantage, and if it hits, the Moonlit King takes only half the damage from the attack.

Legendary Actions

Attack

Cost 2

The Moonlit King makes a Crystal Staff or Moon Bolt attack.

Move

Cost 1

The Moonlit King moves up to his speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

Shift Moonlight

Cost 1

The Moonlit King changes the brightness of each area of moonlight he can see within 120 feet of him from dim light to bright light or vice versa.

Spread Madness

Cost 2

Each creature within 30 feet of the Moonlit King must succeed on a DC 19 Wisdom saving throw or suffer short-term madness. The Moonlit King can use this legendary action only when he is in moonlight.

About Moonlit King

Moonlit King is a medium fey with a Challenge Rating of 17. It has a neutral good alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 204 hit points (derived from 24d8 + 96).

Moonlit King has communication capabilities including Abyssal, Celestial, Common, Draconic, Elvish, Infernal, Umbral, telepathy 120 ft.. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Moonlit King

1 tips available

When using Moonlit King in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Telepathic Communication: This creature can communicate telepathically, making it excellent for coordination with allies. Silence spells won't stop its communication. Consider 'Mind Blank' or abilities that block telepathy.

Player Guide: Facing Moonlit King

1 strategies available

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

Telepathy Awareness: This creature communicates telepathically! It can coordinate with allies silently. Silence won't stop it. Use 'Mind Blank' or abilities that block telepathy. Be cautious of mental attacks.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 17.

High-Level Solo Encounter:

This creature is too powerful for a single level-20 character. You need 2.0 character(s) at maximum level (20) to face this creature.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 30,600 XP
Hard: 45,900 XP
Deadly: 61,200 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 Moonlit King?: Moonlit King has a Challenge Rating of 17, making it appropriate for parties of level 17.0.
What type of creature is Moonlit King?: Moonlit King is a Medium Fey, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Moonlit King speak?: Moonlit King can communicate in Abyssal, Celestial, Common, Draconic, Elvish, Infernal, Umbral, telepathy 120 ft..