Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Jack of Strings

Medium · Fey · CR 5 · Chaotic Neutral

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

90 (12d8+36)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Fey

Alignment Chaotic Neutral

XP 1800

Initiative Bonus +4

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 12

Saving Throws

Dexterity +7

Skills

Acrobatics +10 Performance +8

Languages

Common, Sylvan, Umbral

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical weapons not made with cold iron weapons

Condition Immunities

charmed, frightened

Traits

Magic Resistance

The jack of strings has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Actions

Animate Puppet

The jack of strings animates up to three wooden puppets it can see within 60 feet of it. This works like the animate objects spell, except the wooden puppet uses the statistics of a Small object, regardless of the puppet's actual size. The jack can have no more than five puppets animated at one time.

Mocking Slap

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+3 plus 1d6 psychic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage plus 3 (1d6) psychic damage.

Multiattack

The jack of strings makes two mocking slap attacks.

Puppet Link

One humanoid or beast the jack of strings can see within 60 feet of it must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become magically linked to the jack's marionette. This link appears as a barely perceptible string between the jack's marionette and the target. A linked creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the link on a success.

While a target is linked, the jack of strings can use its reaction at the start of the target's turn to control the linked target. The jack of strings can make the target move, manipulate objects, attack, or take other purely physical actions. The jack can't make the target cast spells. While controlled, the target moves awkwardly and has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks. If the target receives a suicidal command from the jack of strings, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on a success.

The jack of strings can have only one target linked at a time. If it links another, the effect on the previous target ends. If a creature dies while linked to the jack's marionette, the creature's body becomes a wooden puppet that resembles the creature.

About Jack of Strings

Jack of Strings is a medium fey with a Challenge Rating of 5. It has a chaotic neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 90 hit points (derived from 12d8+36).

Jack of Strings has communication capabilities including Common, Sylvan, Umbral. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Jack of Strings

2 tips available

When using Jack of Strings in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Significant Threat: Challenging for parties of levels 5-10
Epic Potential: Consider legendary actions for memorable battles

Player Guide: Facing Jack of Strings

2 strategies available

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

Significant Threat: Prepare spells and resources
Team Coordination: Coordinate attacks and defenses

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 Jack of Strings?: Jack of Strings has a Challenge Rating of 5, making it appropriate for parties of level 5.0.
What type of creature is Jack of Strings?: Jack of Strings is a Medium Fey, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Jack of Strings speak?: Jack of Strings can communicate in Common, Sylvan, Umbral.