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Kelp Eel

Huge · Plant · CR 10 · Unaligned

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

17 (natural armor)

157 (15d12+60)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-3

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Huge

Type Plant

Alignment Unaligned

XP 5900

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 10 ft (3 m)

Swim 50 ft (15.2 m)

Climb 5 ft (1.5 m)

Crawl 5 ft (1.5 m)

Senses

Blindsight 90 ft (27.4 m)

Passive Perception 12

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

acid, bludgeoning, piercing

Condition Immunities

blinded, deafened, unconscious

Traits

Disperse

When the kelp eel is reduced to 0 hp, it disperses into its component kelp in a 30-foot cube. The area is difficult terrain for 1 hour. At the end of that hour, the kelp eel reforms, regaining half its hp and becoming active again. If more than half the kelp that comprises the dispersed kelp eel is removed from the water and dried, it can’t reform and the creature is destroyed.

False Appearance

While the kelp eel remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from ordinary kelp.

Actions

Kelp Tendril

+8 to hit, reach 50 ft (15.2 m).

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 50 ft., one creature. Hit: The target is grappled (escape DC 16). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the kelp eel can't use the same kelp tendril on another target. In addition, at the start of the target's next turn, it begins to suffocate as the eel's grip crushes the breath out of it.

Multiattack

The kelp eel makes two attacks with its kelp tendrils, uses Reel, and makes two attacks with its slam.

Reel

The kelp eel pulls each creature grappled by it up to 25 feet straight toward it.

Slam

+8 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 6d8+4 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one creature. Hit: 31 (6d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage.

About Kelp Eel

Kelp Eel is a huge plant with a Challenge Rating of 10. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 157 hit points (derived from 15d12+60).

GM Tips: Using Kelp Eel

1 tips available

When using Kelp Eel 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 Eel

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 10.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 13 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 11,000 XP
Hard: 16,500 XP
Deadly: 22,000 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 Kelp Eel?: Kelp Eel has a Challenge Rating of 10, making it appropriate for parties of level 10.0.
What type of creature is Kelp Eel?: Kelp Eel is a Huge Plant, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.