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Cackling Skeleton

Medium · Undead · CR 1/2 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

26 (4d8+8)

1/2

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

-1

CON

INT

-1

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 100

Initiative Bonus -1

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 10

Saving Throws

Charisma +4

Languages

the languages it knew in life

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Condition Immunities

exhaustion, poisoned

Traits

Cackle

The skeleton emits a constant, demoralizing cackle. When a creature that isn’t an undead or a construct starts its turn within 30 feet of the cackling skeleton and can hear the skeleton, it must make a DC 10 Wisdom saving throw or feel demoralized by the skeleton’s cackling. A demoralized creature has disadvantage on attack rolls until the start of its next turn.

Turn Vulnerability

The cackling skeleton has disadvantage on saving throws against any effect that turns undead.

Actions

Mock

Recharge 5–6

The cackling skeleton mocks the futile efforts of up to three creatures it can see within 30 feet of it that aren't undead or constructs. Each target must make a DC 12 Charisma saving throw, taking 5 (2d4) psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A demoralized target has disadvantage on this saving throw.

Slam

+3 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6+1 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) bludgeoning damage. The cackling skeleton has advantage on this attack roll if the target is demoralized.

About Cackling Skeleton

Cackling Skeleton is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 1/2. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 9 and possesses 26 hit points (derived from 4d8+8).

Cackling Skeleton has communication capabilities including the languages it knew in life. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Cackling Skeleton

2 tips available

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

Minion Strategy: Use as scouts or minions for larger threats
Group Tactics: Group 3-4 together to pose a moderate threat

Player Guide: Facing Cackling Skeleton

2 strategies available

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

Easy Target: This creature is weak - focus on other threats
Group Threat: Multiple can be dangerous - use area 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 Cackling Skeleton?: Cackling Skeleton has a Challenge Rating of 1/2, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.5.
What type of creature is Cackling Skeleton?: Cackling Skeleton is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Cackling Skeleton speak?: Cackling Skeleton can communicate in the languages it knew in life.