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Murgrik

Large · Aberration · CR 9 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

18 (natural armor)

152 (16d10+64)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

-1

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Aberration

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 5000

Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Fly 20 ft (6.1 m)

Swim 40 ft (12.2 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 16

Skills

Athletics +10 Perception +6

Languages

understands Deep Speech but can't speak

Traits

Blood Frenzy

The murgrik has advantage on melee attack rolls against any creature that doesn’t have all its hp.

Hold Breath

The murgrik can hold its breath for 30 minutes.

Keen Scent

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

Tentacle Flight

The murgrik flies by spinning its tentacles. If it is grappling a creature with its tentacles, its flying speed is halved.

Actions

Bite

+10 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8+6 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) piercing damage.

Multiattack

The murgrik makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its tentacles.

Stomach Maw

The murgrik makes one bite attack against a Medium or smaller target it is grappling. If the attack hits, the target is also swallowed, and the grapple ends. While swallowed, the target is blinded and restrained, it has total cover against attacks and other effects outside the murgrik, and it takes 14 (4d6) acid damage at the start of each of the murgrik's turns. The murgrik can only have one creature swallowed at a time.

If the murgrik takes 20 damage or more on a single turn from the swallowed creature, the murgrik must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw at the end of that turn or regurgitate the creature, which falls prone in a space within 5 feet of the murgrik. If the murgrik dies, a swallowed creature is no longer restrained by it and can escape from the corpse by using 10 feet of movement, exiting prone.

Tentacles

+10 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 1d6+6 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d6 + 6) bludgeoning damage. The target is grappled (escape DC 18) if it is a Medium or smaller creature and the murgrik doesn't have two other creatures grappled. Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained.

Unsettling Ululations

Recharge 6

The stalk on the murgrik's head unleashes a dispiriting wail. Each creature within 30 feet of the murgrik that can hear it must make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 21 (6d6) psychic damage and is frightened for 1 minute. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn't frightened. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

About Murgrik

Murgrik is a large aberration with a Challenge Rating of 9. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 152 hit points (derived from 16d10+64).

Murgrik has communication capabilities including understands Deep Speech but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Murgrik

2 tips available

When using Murgrik 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.
Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 40 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.

Player Guide: Facing Murgrik

2 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.
Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 40 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 9.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 12 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 9,000 XP
Hard: 13,500 XP
Deadly: 18,000 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 Murgrik?: Murgrik has a Challenge Rating of 9, making it appropriate for parties of level 9.0.
What type of creature is Murgrik?: Murgrik is a Large Aberration, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Murgrik speak?: Murgrik can communicate in understands Deep Speech but can't speak.