Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Necrohydra

Huge · Undead · CR 9 · Neutral Evil

Armor Class
13 (natural armor)
Hit Points and Hit Dice
207 (18d12 + 90)
Challenge Rating CR
9

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
20
+5
DEX
6
-2
CON
20
+5
INT
3
-4
WIS
10
+0
CHA
7
-2

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Huge
Type Undead
Alignment Neutral Evil
XP 5000
Initiative Bonus -2

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 60 ft (18.3 m)
Passive Perception 18

Saving Throws

Wisdom +4

Skills

Perception +8

Languages

the languages its heads knew in life

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
poison
Damage Resistances
necrotic
Condition Immunities
exhaustion, poisoned

Traits

Multiple Heads

The necrohydra has five fleshy heads. While it has more than one head, the necrohydra has advantage on saving throws against being blinded, charmed, deafened, frightened, stunned, and knocked unconscious. Whenever the necrohydra takes 25 or more damage in a single turn, one of its fleshy heads dies. If all its fleshy heads die, the necrohydra can’t use Unnerving Faces and can’t use or maintain Dreadful Dirge.

Reactive Heads

For each head the necrohydra has beyond one, it gets an extra reaction that can be used only for opportunity attacks.

Undead Nature

The necrohydra doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.

Actions

Bite

+9 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 1d4+5 plus 1d8 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d4 + 5) piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) necrotic damage.

Dreadful Dirge

The necrohydra's heads emit a cacophonous, moaning wail. Each creature that isn't a Construct or Undead within 30 feet of the necrohydra that can hear the wail must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the wail ends. The necrohydra must take a bonus action on its subsequent turns to continue wailing. It can stop wailing at any time. The wail ends if the necrohydra is incapacitated. A frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Multiattack

The necrohydra makes as many Bite attacks as it has heads.

Necrotic Bile

Recharge 6

The necrohydra spews rotten bile soaked in necrotic energy in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) poison damage and 18 (4d8) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

About Necrohydra

Necrohydra is a huge undead with a Challenge Rating of 9. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 207 hit points (derived from 18d12 + 90).

Necrohydra has communication capabilities including the languages its heads knew in life. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Necrohydra

2 tips available

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

  • Significant Threat: Challenging for parties of levels 5-10
  • Epic Potential: Consider legendary actions for memorable battles

Player Guide: Facing Necrohydra

2 strategies available

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

  • Significant Threat: Prepare spells and resources
  • Team Coordination: Coordinate attacks and defenses

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 9.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 12 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

  • Medium: 9,000 XP
  • Hard: 13,500 XP
  • Deadly: 18,000 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 Necrohydra?
Necrohydra has a Challenge Rating of 9, making it appropriate for parties of level 9.0.
What type of creature is Necrohydra?
Necrohydra is a Huge Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Necrohydra speak?
Necrohydra can communicate in the languages its heads knew in life.

Related D&D 5e Content

Related Creatures