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Snow Queen

Medium · Fey · CR 16 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

17 (natural armor)

182 (28d8 + 56)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Fey

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 15000

Initiative Bonus +4

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 120 ft (36.6 m)

Blindsight 10 ft (3 m)

Passive Perception 20

Saving Throws

Dexterity +9 Constitution +7 Charisma +9

Skills

Perception +10 Stealth +9

Languages

Common, Elvish, Giant, Sylvan

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

cold

Damage Resistances

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

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, frightened

Traits

Ice Climb

When climbing on ice, the Snow Queen has a climbing speed of 20 feet, and she can climb difficult surfaces made of ice and snow, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.

Icy Weapons

The Snow Queen’s weapon attacks are magical. When she hits with any weapon, the weapon deals an extra 2d6 cold damage (included in the attack).

Legendary Resistance (3/Day)

If the Snow Queen fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead.

Snow Walk

The Snow Queen can move across icy surfaces without needing to make an ability check. Additionally, difficult terrain composed of ice or snow doesn’t cost her extra movement.

Snowsight

The Snow Queen can see through areas obscured by snowfall, sleet, rain, and other wintry precipitation without penalty.

Actions

Claw

+9 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+4 plus 2d6 cold damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage plus 7 (2d6) cold damage.

Cold Snap

Recharge 5–6

The Snow Queen causes the temperature around her to drop dramatically. Each creature without 30 feet of the Snow Queen must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 42 (12d6) cold damage and suffers one level of exhaustion. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and doesn't suffer exhaustion. A creature that is immune to cold damage doesn't suffer exhaustion, even if it fails the saving throw. A creature that fails the saving throw by 5 or more is petrified in ice for 1 minute. A petrified creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. A petrified creature that takes fire damage has advantage on the saving throw to end the effect.

Ice Bolt

+10 to hit, range 120 ft (36.6 m). Hit: 2d8+4 plus 2d6 cold damage.

Ranged Spell Attack: +10 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) cold damage. The target's speed is reduced by 10 feet until the end of its next turn.

Multiattack

The Snow Queen makes two Claw or Ice Bolt attacks.

Legendary Actions

Attack

Cost 1

The Snow Queen makes a Claw or Ice Bolt attack.

Move

Cost 1

The Snow Queen moves up to her speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

Snowblind

Cost 1

One creature the Snow Queen can see within 120 feet of her must succeed on a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw or be blinded by swirling snow until the end of its next turn.

Wintry Swirl

Cost 2

Each creature within 15 feet of the Snow Queen must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or have vulnerability to cold damage until the end of its next turn. A creature with immunity to cold damage that fails this saving throw instead loses its immunity to cold damage but isn't vulnerable to it.

About Snow Queen

Snow Queen is a medium fey with a Challenge Rating of 16. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 182 hit points (derived from 28d8 + 56).

Snow Queen has communication capabilities including Common, Elvish, Giant, Sylvan. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Snow Queen

2 tips available

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

Fire Damage Mitigation: This creature deals fire damage. Advise players to have fire resistance ready or use water-based tactics. Consider environmental fire hazards that could backfire on the creature.
Cold Damage Strategy: Cold-based attacks can slow or freeze. Prepare 'Heat Metal' or fire spells as countermeasures. Ice terrain can be used to create difficult terrain for melee characters.

Player Guide: Facing Snow Queen

2 strategies available

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

Fire Damage Protection: This creature deals fire damage! Get fire resistance from spells like 'Resistance' or potions. Avoid fighting near flammable objects. Water spells can counter fire attacks.
Cold Damage Protection: This creature deals cold damage! Get cold resistance or use fire spells. Avoid water surfaces - they can freeze and create difficult terrain. 'Heat Metal' can counter cold.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 16.

Solo Encounter:

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

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 27,200 XP
Hard: 40,800 XP
Deadly: 54,400 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 Snow Queen?: Snow Queen has a Challenge Rating of 16, making it appropriate for parties of level 16.0.
What type of creature is Snow Queen?: Snow Queen is a Medium Fey, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Snow Queen speak?: Snow Queen can communicate in Common, Elvish, Giant, Sylvan.