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Kamaitachi

Small · Monstrosity · CR 5 · Chaotic Neutral

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

84 (13d6+39)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-1

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Small

Type Monstrosity

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 11

Skills

Acrobatics +6 Intimidation +3 Stealth +6

Languages

understands Common and Sylvan but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

cold

Traits

Air Form (Wintry Swirl Form Only)

The kamaitachi can enter a hostile creature’s space and stop there. It can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing.

Concealing Snow (True Form Only)

As a bonus action, the kamaitachi sheathes itself in blowing ice and snow, causing attack rolls against it to have disadvantage. The kamaitachi can use this trait only if it is in snowy terrain. Flyby (Wintry Swirl Form Only). The kamaitachi doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy’s reach.

Keen Smell

The kamaitachi has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.

Shapechanger

The kamaitachi can use its action to polymorph into a swirl of wintry weather. It can revert back to its true form as a bonus action. Its statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. It reverts to its true form when it dies. While a wintry swirl, it has a flying speed of 40 feet, immunity to the grappled, petrified, prone, and restrained conditions, and resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks.

Snow Devil (Wintry Swirl Form Only)

Until it attacks or uses Wintry Assault, the kamaitachi is indistinguishable from a natural swirl of snow unless a creature succeeds on a DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check.

Actions

Multiattack

The kamaitachi makes two sickle paw attacks.

Sickle Paw

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

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 18 (4d6 + 4) slashing damage.

Wintry Assault

Each creature in the kamaitachi's space must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, the creature takes 9 (2d8) slashing damage plus 9 (2d8) cold damage and is blinded until the end of its next turn. On a success, it takes half the damage and isn't blinded.

About Kamaitachi

Kamaitachi is a small monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 5. It has a chaotic neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 84 hit points (derived from 13d6+39).

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

GM Tips: Using Kamaitachi

4 tips available

When using Kamaitachi 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.
Climbing Advantage: This creature can climb at 15 ft. It can use walls and ceilings for tactical positioning. Consider using 'Spider Climb' negation or fighting in open areas without vertical surfaces.
Cold Damage Strategy: Cold-based attacks can slow or freeze. Prepare 'Heat Metal' or fire spells as countermeasures. Ice terrain can be used to create difficult terrain for melee characters.
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 Kamaitachi

4 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.
Climbing Defense: This creature can climb at 15 ft! It can use walls and ceilings for surprise attacks. Fight in open areas without vertical surfaces. 'Spider Climb' negation spells can help.
Cold Damage Protection: This creature deals cold damage! Get cold resistance or use fire spells. Avoid water surfaces - they can freeze and create difficult terrain. 'Heat Metal' can counter cold.
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 Kamaitachi?: Kamaitachi has a Challenge Rating of 5, making it appropriate for parties of level 5.0.
What type of creature is Kamaitachi?: Kamaitachi is a Small Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Kamaitachi speak?: Kamaitachi can communicate in understands Common and Sylvan but can't speak.