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Gaunt One

Medium · Aberration · CR 3 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

14 (natural armor)

75 (10d8+30)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

-3

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Aberration

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 700

Initiative Bonus +2

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 11

Skills

Stealth +4

Languages

understands Undercommon but can't speak

Traits

Keen Hearing

The gaunt one has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing.

Actions

Claw

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

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

Extract Heart

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 5d8 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one humanoid grappled by the gaunt one. Hit: The target must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw, taking 22 (5d8) piercing damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If this damage reduces the target to 0 hp, the gaunt one kills the target by extracting and devouring its heart.

Multiattack

The gaunt one makes two claw attacks. If both attacks hit a Medium or smaller target, the target is grappled (escape DC 14).

About Gaunt One

Gaunt One is a medium aberration with a Challenge Rating of 3. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 75 hit points (derived from 10d8+30).

Gaunt One has communication capabilities including understands Undercommon but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Gaunt One

2 tips available

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

Mid-level Encounter: Ideal for parties levels 3-8 as solo or small groups
Terrain Advantage: Use terrain to offset moderate combat abilities

Player Guide: Facing Gaunt One

2 strategies available

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

Moderate Threat: Prepare standard combat tactics
Tactical Advantage: Use terrain and positioning

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 3.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 5 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 1,200 XP
Hard: 1,800 XP
Deadly: 2,400 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 Gaunt One?: Gaunt One has a Challenge Rating of 3, making it appropriate for parties of level 3.0.
What type of creature is Gaunt One?: Gaunt One is a Medium Aberration, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Gaunt One speak?: Gaunt One can communicate in understands Undercommon but can't speak.