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Empusa

Medium · Monstrosity · CR 5 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

16 (natural armor)

102 (12d8+48)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Monstrosity

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 1800

Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 15

Saving Throws

Wisdom +6 Charisma +7

Skills

Deception +7 Perception +5 Stealth +4

Languages

Common

Traits

Ambusher

In the first round of combat, the empusa has advantage on attack rolls against any creature she has surprised.

Magical Copper

The empusa’s claw and kick attacks are magical.

Nimble Fighter

The empusa can take the Dash or Disengage action as a bonus action on each of her turns.

Shapechanger

The empusa can use her action to polymorph into a Small or Medium beast that has a challenge rating no higher than her own, or back into her true form. Her statistics, other than her size, are the same in each form. While transformed, at least one of her limbs has a coppery color. Any equipment she is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. She reverts to her true form if she dies.

Actions

Claw

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8+5 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) slashing damage.

Kick

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+5 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be pushed up to 10 feet away from the empusa and knocked prone.

Multiattack

The empusa makes two claw attacks, or one claw attack and one kick attack.

About Empusa

Empusa is a medium monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 5. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 102 hit points (derived from 12d8+48).

Empusa has communication capabilities including Common. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Empusa

1 tips available

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

Shapechanging Tactics: This creature can change form, potentially gaining new abilities or escaping. Use 'True Seeing' or abilities that reveal true form. Consider finishing blows before it transforms.

Player Guide: Facing Empusa

1 strategies available

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

Counter Shapechanging: This creature can change form! Use 'True Seeing' to see its true form. Finish it quickly before it transforms. 'Dispel Magic' might prevent transformation.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 5.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 7 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 3,000 XP
Hard: 4,500 XP
Deadly: 6,000 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 Empusa?: Empusa has a Challenge Rating of 5, making it appropriate for parties of level 5.0.
What type of creature is Empusa?: Empusa is a Medium Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Empusa speak?: Empusa can communicate in Common.