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Mari Lwyd

Large · Undead · CR 4 · Neutral

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

15 (natural armor)

66 (7d10+28)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Undead

Alignment Neutral

XP 1100

Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 12

Saving Throws

Charisma +4

Skills

Intimidation +4 Performance +6

Languages

Common, Draconic, Elvish, Giant, Primordial

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Resistances

necrotic

Condition Immunities

exhaustion, frightened, poisoned, unconscious

Traits

Innate Spellcasting

The mari lwyd’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 12, +4 to hit with spell attacks). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
At will: chill touch, mage hand
3/day each: animate dead, hideous laughter, suggestion

Turn Resistance

The mari lwyd has advantage on saving throws against any effect that turns undead.

Turned by Rhyme

A creature can use its action to formally challenge the mari lwyd to a duel of rhymes. If no creature attacks the mari lwyd until the beginning of its next turn, it uses its action to recite a rhyme. The challenger must respond to the rhyme and succeed on a DC 14 Charisma (Performance) check. On a success, the mari lwyd is treated as if it is turned for 1 minute or until it takes damage.

Actions

Bite

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8+3 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) piercing damage.

Hooves

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+3 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage.

Multiattack

The mari lwyd makes one bite attack and one hooves attack.

About Mari Lwyd

Mari Lwyd is a large undead with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 66 hit points (derived from 7d10+28).

Mari Lwyd has communication capabilities including Common, Draconic, Elvish, Giant, Primordial. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Mari Lwyd

2 tips available

When using Mari Lwyd 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 Mari Lwyd

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 4.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 6 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 2,000 XP
Hard: 3,000 XP
Deadly: 4,000 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 Mari Lwyd?: Mari Lwyd has a Challenge Rating of 4, making it appropriate for parties of level 4.0.
What type of creature is Mari Lwyd?: Mari Lwyd is a Large Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Mari Lwyd speak?: Mari Lwyd can communicate in Common, Draconic, Elvish, Giant, Primordial.