Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Shadow Beast

Medium · Fey · CR 7 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

112 (15d8 + 45)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-2

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Fey

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 2900

Initiative Bonus +5

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 12

Saving Throws

Constitution +6 Wisdom +5

Skills

Stealth +8

Languages

Common, Elvish, Umbral, Void Speech

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

exhaustion, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, restrained

Traits

Incorporeal Movement

The shadow beast can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.

Magic Resistance

The shadow beast has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Shadow Weapons

The shadow beast’s weapon attacks are magical. When the shadow beast hits with any weapon, the weapon deals an extra 2d6 necrotic damage (included in the attack).

Sunlight Sensitivity

While in sunlight, the shadow beast has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

Actions

Bite

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8+5 plus 2d6 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 5) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) necrotic damage.

Claw

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6+5 plus 2d6 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d6 + 5) slashing damage plus 7 (2d6) necrotic damage.

Frightful Shadows

Recharge 5–6

The shadow beast releases a wave of shadows filled with frightening images of eyes, fangs, and other barely seen and terrifying beasts in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in the area must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 42 (12d6) necrotic damage and is frightened for 1 minute. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn't frightened. A frightened creature must take the Dash action and move away from the shadow beast by the safest available route on each of its turns, unless there is nowhere to move. 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 shadow beast makes one Bite attack and two Claw attacks.

About Shadow Beast

Shadow Beast is a medium fey with a Challenge Rating of 7. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 112 hit points (derived from 15d8 + 45).

Shadow Beast has communication capabilities including Common, Elvish, Umbral, Void Speech. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Shadow Beast

1 tips available

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

Incorporeal Movement: This creature can pass through objects and walls! Use 'Magic Circle', 'Forcecage', or other magical barriers. Physical obstacles are ineffective.

Player Guide: Facing Shadow Beast

1 strategies available

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

Hit Incorporeal Creature: This creature can pass through objects! Use magical weapons or spells. Physical attacks may not work. 'Magic Missile' or 'Spiritual Weapon' are effective.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 7.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 10 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 5,600 XP
Hard: 8,400 XP
Deadly: 11,200 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 Shadow Beast?: Shadow Beast has a Challenge Rating of 7, making it appropriate for parties of level 7.0.
What type of creature is Shadow Beast?: Shadow Beast is a Medium Fey, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Shadow Beast speak?: Shadow Beast can communicate in Common, Elvish, Umbral, Void Speech.