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Emperor's Hyena

Medium · Undead · CR 4 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

14 (natural armor)

91 (14d8+28)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

-1

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 1100

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 50 ft (15.2 m)

Swim 25 ft (7.6 m)

Climb 25 ft (7.6 m)

Crawl 25 ft (7.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 12

Saving Throws

Dexterity +4

Skills

Perception +2

Languages

understands Common and Darakhul but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Resistances

cold, necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, poisoned

Traits

Pack Tactics

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

Stench

Any creature that starts its turn within 5 feet of the emperor’s hyena must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned until the start of its next turn. On a successful saving throw, the creature is immune to the emperor’s hyena’s Stench for 24 hours.

Turning Resistance

The emperor’s hyena has advantage on saving throws against any effect that turns undead.

Actions

Bite

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

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage plus 10 (3d6) necrotic damage.

Black Breath

Recharge 5–6

The emperor's hyena breathes a 15-foot cone of noxious black vapor. Each creature in the area that isn't an undead or a construct must make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw, taking 14 (4d6) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the creature gains one level of exhaustion. This exhaustion lasts until the creature finishes a short or long rest.

Multiattack

The emperor's hyena makes two bite attacks.

About Emperor's Hyena

Emperor's Hyena is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 91 hit points (derived from 14d8+28).

Emperor's Hyena has communication capabilities including understands Common and Darakhul but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Emperor's Hyena

1 tips available

When using Emperor's Hyena in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

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 Emperor's Hyena

1 strategies available

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

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 Emperor's Hyena?: Emperor's Hyena has a Challenge Rating of 4, making it appropriate for parties of level 4.0.
What type of creature is Emperor's Hyena?: Emperor's Hyena is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Emperor's Hyena speak?: Emperor's Hyena can communicate in understands Common and Darakhul but can't speak.