Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Temple Dog

Medium · Celestial · CR 5 · Any Good

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

15 (natural armor)

97 (15d8 + 30)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-1

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Celestial

Alignment Any Good

XP 1800

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 15

Saving Throws

Constitution +5 Wisdom +5 Charisma +3

Skills

Perception +5

Languages

understands Celestial and Common but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Resistances

radiant; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

poisoned

Traits

Magic Resistance

The temple dog has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Protector’s Instincts

The temple dog has advantage on initiative rolls while in its temple or within 30 feet of a priest of its deity.

Radiant Jaws

The temple dog’s Bite attacks are magical. When it hits with a Bite attack, the Bite deals an extra 2d6 radiant damage (included in the attack).

Rushing Bite

If the temple dog moves at least 15 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a Bite attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be pushed up to 10 feet away from the temple dog. If the target is pushed, the temple dog can move up to 10 feet straight toward the target without provoking opportunity attacks.

Actions

Bite

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8+4 plus 2d6 radiant damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) radiant damage.

Multiattack

The temple dog makes two Bite attacks. If both attacks hit a Medium or smaller target, the temple dog sinks in its teeth, shaking its head violently, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or take 9 (2d8) slashing damage and be grappled (escape DC 15). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and temple dog can't Bite another target.

About Temple Dog

Temple Dog is a medium celestial with a Challenge Rating of 5. It has a any good alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 97 hit points (derived from 15d8 + 30).

Temple Dog has communication capabilities including understands Celestial and Common but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Temple Dog

2 tips available

When using Temple Dog 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 Temple Dog

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 5.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 7 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 3,000 XP
Hard: 4,500 XP
Deadly: 6,000 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 Temple Dog?: Temple Dog has a Challenge Rating of 5, making it appropriate for parties of level 5.0.
What type of creature is Temple Dog?: Temple Dog is a Medium Celestial, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Temple Dog speak?: Temple Dog can communicate in understands Celestial and Common but can't speak.