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Brain Hood

Tiny · Aberration · CR 1/2 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

22 (5d4+10)

1/2

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-3

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Tiny

Type Aberration

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 100

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 20 ft (6.1 m)

Fly 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 10 ft (3 m)

Climb 10 ft (3 m)

Crawl 10 ft (3 m)

Hover Yes

Senses

Blindsight 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 12

Saving Throws

Dexterity +5

Languages

Common, telepathy 60.0 ft (18.3 m).

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning

Condition Immunities

prone

Traits

Innate Spellcasting (Psionics)

The brain hood’s spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 13, +5 to hit with spell attacks). The brain hood can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components:
At will: acid splash, chill touch, fire bolt, ray of frost, shocking grasp
3/day each: detect magic, magic missile, sleep
1/day each: blur, burning hands, hold person

Merge with Beast

If the brain hood successfully hits a beast with an Intelligence of 3 or lower with its Slam attack, it latches onto the beast’s head and attempts to take control of the creature. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Intelligence saving throw or become bonded with the brain hood, losing all control of its body to the brain hood. While bonded in this way, the brain hood’s statistics are replaced by the statistics of the beast, including the beast’s hit points and Hit Dice, but the brain hood retains its alignment, personality, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores, along with its Speak with Beasts trait. In addition, the brain hood retains its ability to cast spells. The brain hood can’t be targeted specifically while bonded with a creature. It can detach itself from the creature and end the bond by spending 5 feet of its movement. If the bonded creature is reduced to 0 hit points, the brain hood is ejected from it and appears in an unoccupied space within 5 feet of the creature.

Speak with Beasts

While merged with a beast, the brain hood can communicate with beasts of the same type as if they shared a language.

Actions

Slam

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d4+3 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a beast, the brain hood can attempt to take control of it (see the Merge with Beast trait).

About Brain Hood

Brain Hood is a tiny aberration with a Challenge Rating of 1/2. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 22 hit points (derived from 5d4+10).

Brain Hood has communication capabilities including Common, telepathy 60 ft.. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Brain Hood

2 tips available

When using Brain Hood 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.
Telepathic Communication: This creature can communicate telepathically, making it excellent for coordination with allies. Silence spells won't stop its communication. Consider 'Mind Blank' or abilities that block telepathy.

Player Guide: Facing Brain Hood

2 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.
Telepathy Awareness: This creature communicates telepathically! It can coordinate with allies silently. Silence won't stop it. Use 'Mind Blank' or abilities that block telepathy. Be cautious of mental attacks.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 1.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 2 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 75 XP
Hard: 112 XP
Deadly: 150 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 Brain Hood?: Brain Hood has a Challenge Rating of 1/2, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.5.
What type of creature is Brain Hood?: Brain Hood is a Tiny Aberration, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Brain Hood speak?: Brain Hood can communicate in Common, telepathy 60 ft..