Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Astral Devourer

Medium · Aberration · CR 8 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

16 (natural armor)

90 (12d8+36)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Aberration

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 3900

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Fly 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Hover Yes

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 16

Saving Throws

Dexterity +6 Intelligence +5

Skills

Perception +6 Stealth +6

Languages

Deep Speech, Void Speech

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison, psychic

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, piercing, slashing

Condition Immunities

grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained, stunned

Traits

Collective Mind

The astral devourer’s individual serpents are connected via a hive mind. It can telepathically communicate with any of its individual serpents within 1 mile of it, and it can’t be surprised.

Magic Resistance

The astral devourer has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Swarm

The astral devourer can occupy another creature’s space and vice versa, and the devourer can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny serpent. Except via Serpent Spray and Recombine, the astral devourer can’t regain hp or gain temporary hp.

Actions

Hungering Serpents

+7 to hit. Hit: 2d8 plus 4d6 poison damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 0 ft., one target in the swarm's space. Hit: 8 (2d8) piercing damage, or 4 (1d8) piercing damage if the swarm has half of its hit points or fewer, plus 14 (4d6) poison damage.

Multiattack

The astral devourer makes two melee attacks.

Serpent Spray

Recharge 6

The astral devourer flings biting astral serpents outward. Each creature within 20 feet of the astral devourer must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw, taking 14 (4d6) piercing damage and 14 (4d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The astral devourer regains hp equal to the single highest amount of piercing damage dealt by this spray.

Reactions

Divide

When an astral devourer that is Small or larger takes bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage, it can split into two new astral devourers if it has at least 10 hp. Each new devourer has hp equal to half the original creature, rounded down. New astral devourers are one size smaller than the original. While within 1 mile of each other, the new astral devourers share one collective mind.

Recombine

When one or more astral devourers that are Small or smaller and share a collective mind are within 5 feet of each other, they can combine into a new astral devourer. The new astral devourer is one size larger than the largest original creature, and it has hp equal to the combined total of the original creatures. The new astral devourer's hp can't exceed the normal hp maximum of a Medium astral devourer.

About Astral Devourer

Astral Devourer is a medium aberration with a Challenge Rating of 8. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 90 hit points (derived from 12d8+36).

Astral Devourer has communication capabilities including Deep Speech, Void Speech. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Astral Devourer

1 tips available

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

Flight Control Strategy: Target flying creatures with spells like 'Hold Person', 'Web', or 'Grease' to ground them. Without flight restriction, they can escape melee range easily. Consider area denial spells below their flight altitude to force them into disadvantageous positions.

Player Guide: Facing Astral Devourer

1 strategies available

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

Counter Flight Advantage: This creature can fly! Use ranged attacks, reach weapons, or spells like 'Thunderwave' to push it away. Consider 'Gust of Wind' or 'Earthbind' to ground it. Melee characters need fly speed or flight magic to engage.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 8.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 11 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 7,200 XP
Hard: 10,800 XP
Deadly: 14,400 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 Astral Devourer?: Astral Devourer has a Challenge Rating of 8, making it appropriate for parties of level 8.0.
What type of creature is Astral Devourer?: Astral Devourer is a Medium Aberration, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Astral Devourer speak?: Astral Devourer can communicate in Deep Speech, Void Speech.