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Shoggoth

Huge · Aberration · CR 19 · Chaotic Neutral

Armor Class
18 (natural armor)
Hit Points and Hit Dice
325 (21d12 + 189)
Challenge Rating CR
19

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
26
+8
DEX
14
+2
CON
28
+9
INT
12
+1
WIS
20
+5
CHA
13
+1

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Huge
Type Aberration
Alignment Chaotic Neutral
XP 22000
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 120 ft (36.6 m)
Tremorsense 60 ft (18.3 m)
Passive Perception 21

Skills

Perception +11

Languages

Void Speech

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
cold, slashing, thunder
Damage Resistances
bludgeoning, fire, piercing
Condition Immunities
blinded, deafened, prone, stunned, unconscious

Traits

Absorb Flesh

When the shoggoth kills a creature while within 15 feet of it, the creature’s body is absorbed into the shoggoth’s. The creature can be restored to life only by means of a true resurrection or a wish spell.

Amorphous

The shoggoth can move through a space as narrow as 1 foot wide without squeezing.

Anaerobic Nature

The shoggoth doesn’t require air.

Hideous Cacophony

The shoggoth’s many mouths constantly emit whistles, fluting, and other high-pitched noises. It has disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to be unheard. Each creature that starts its turn within 60 feet of the shoggoth and that can hear it must make a DC 19 Wisdom saving throw or be disoriented until the start of its next turn. A disoriented creature is incapacitated, and when it moves, it moves in a random direction.

Keen Hearing and Smell

The shoggoth has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.

Limited Mutability

Any spell or effect that would alter the shoggoth’s form alters it for only 1 round. Afterward, the shoggoth returns to its amorphous blob form.

Actions

Crush

The shoggoth crushes up to two creatures it is grappling by rolling them beneath its bulk. Each target must succeed on a DC 19 Strength saving throw or take 30 (4d10 + 8) bludgeoning damage, be unable to breathe, and be restrained until the grapple ends. If the shoggoth moves, a creature beneath it is no longer restrained and is able to breathe, but it remains grappled.

Multiattack

The shoggoth makes four Slam attacks. It can replace two Slam attacks with a use of Crush.

Slam

+14 to hit, reach 15 ft (4.6 m). Hit: 4d10+8 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 30 (4d10 + 8) bludgeoning damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 18) if it is a Large or smaller creature.

About Shoggoth

Shoggoth is a huge aberration with a Challenge Rating of 19. It has a chaotic neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 325 hit points (derived from 21d12 + 189).

Shoggoth has communication capabilities including Void Speech. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Shoggoth

1 tips available

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

  • Amorphous Movement: This creature can squeeze through spaces as small as 1 inch! Traditional barriers are ineffective. Use 'Wall of Force', 'Forcecage', or magical barriers to contain it.

Player Guide: Facing Shoggoth

1 strategies available

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

  • Contain Amorphous Creature: This creature can squeeze through tiny spaces! Traditional barriers won't work. Use 'Wall of Force', 'Forcecage', or magical barriers. 'Create Bonfire' can block movement.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 19.

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: 38,000 XP
  • Hard: 57,000 XP
  • Deadly: 76,000 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 Shoggoth?
Shoggoth has a Challenge Rating of 19, making it appropriate for parties of level 19.0.
What type of creature is Shoggoth?
Shoggoth is a Huge Aberration, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Shoggoth speak?
Shoggoth can communicate in Void Speech.

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