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Death Vulture

Large · Monstrosity · CR 4 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

12 (natural armor)

76 (8d10+32)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Monstrosity

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 1100

Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

Walk 10 ft (3 m)

Fly 60 ft (18.3 m)

Swim 5 ft (1.5 m)

Climb 5 ft (1.5 m)

Crawl 5 ft (1.5 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 13

Saving Throws

Constitution +6

Skills

Perception +3

Languages

understands Common but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

necrotic, poison

Condition Immunities

poisoned

Traits

Awful Stench

The vulture has a disgusting body odor. Any creature that starts its turn within 5 feet of the vulture must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned until the start of its next turn.

Keen Sight and Smell

The vulture has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight or smell.

Pack Tactics

The vulture has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the vulture’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.

Actions

Beak

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d4+4 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d4 + 4) piercing damage.

Decaying Breath

Recharge 6

The vulture breathes necrotic energy in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw, taking 22 (4d10) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. Creatures that fail this saving throw by 5 or more also age a number of years equal to half the damage taken.

Multiattack

The death vulture makes two attacks: one with its beak and one with its talons.

Talons

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+4 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.

About Death Vulture

Death Vulture is a large monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 76 hit points (derived from 8d10+32).

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

GM Tips: Using Death Vulture

2 tips available

When using Death Vulture 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.
Pack Tactics Advantage: This creature has advantage on attack rolls when an ally is within 5 feet! Separate it from its pack or use 'Fear' spells to scatter allies. Single-target encounters reduce its effectiveness.

Player Guide: Facing Death Vulture

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.
Counter Pack Tactics: This creature has advantage when allies are nearby! Separate it from its pack. Use 'Fear' spells to scatter allies. Single-target encounters reduce its effectiveness.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

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

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 6 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 2,000 XP
Hard: 3,000 XP
Deadly: 4,000 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 Death Vulture?: Death Vulture has a Challenge Rating of 4, making it appropriate for parties of level 4.0.
What type of creature is Death Vulture?: Death Vulture is a Large Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Death Vulture speak?: Death Vulture can communicate in understands Common but can't speak.