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Kelp Drake

Medium · Dragon · CR 3 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

15 (natural armor)

60 (8d8+24)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Dragon

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 700

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 20 ft (6.1 m)

Swim 50 ft (15.2 m)

Climb 10 ft (3 m)

Crawl 10 ft (3 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 13

Skills

Athletics +6 Perception +3 Stealth +4

Languages

Draconic

Traits

Aggressive

As a bonus action, the drake can move up to its speed toward a hostile creature that it can see.

Limited Amphibiousness

The drake can breathe air and water, but it needs to be submerged at least once every 6 hours to avoid suffocation.

Actions

Binding Bile

Recharge 6

The drake forcibly vomits a long line of bile-coated kelp that unravels in a 30-foot-long, 5-foot-wide line. Each target in the area must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 14 (4d6) acid damage and is restrained by kelp for 1 minute. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn't restrained. A creature, including the target, can take its action to remove the kelp by succeeding on a DC 13 Strength check. Alternatively, the kelp can be attacked and destroyed (AC 10; hp 3; immunity to bludgeoning, poison, and psychic damage).

Bite

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8+4 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.

Claw

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6+4 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) slashing damage.

Deathroll

The kelp drake latches onto a Medium or smaller creature it can see within 5 feet of it and rolls itself and the target. The target must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the creature takes 7 (2d6) slashing damage and is stunned until the end of its next turn. On a success, the creature takes half the damage and isn't stunned. The kelp drake can use this action only if both itself and the target are immersed in water.

Multiattack

The drake makes one bite attack and one claw attack. If both attacks hit the same target, the drake can use its Deathroll on the target.

About Kelp Drake

Kelp Drake is a medium dragon with a Challenge Rating of 3. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 60 hit points (derived from 8d8+24).

Kelp Drake has communication capabilities including Draconic. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Kelp Drake

1 tips available

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

Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 50 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.

Player Guide: Facing Kelp Drake

1 strategies available

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

Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 50 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.

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 Kelp Drake?: Kelp Drake has a Challenge Rating of 3, making it appropriate for parties of level 3.0.
What type of creature is Kelp Drake?: Kelp Drake is a Medium Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Kelp Drake speak?: Kelp Drake can communicate in Draconic.