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Thornheart Guardian

Large · Construct · CR 9 · Lawful Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

18 (natural armor)

133 (14d10+56)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

-5

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Construct

Alignment Lawful Evil

XP 5000

Initiative Bonus +0

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 16

Skills

Perception +6

Languages

understands the languages of its creator but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison, psychic

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned

Traits

Immutable Form

The thornheart guardian is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form

Magic Resistance

The thornheart guardian has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Magic Weapons

The thornheart guardian’s weapon attacks are magical

Woodland Walk

Difficult terrain composed of nonmagical plants doesn’t cost the thornheart guardian extra movement. In addition, the thornheart guardian can pass through nonmagical plants without being slowed by them and without taking damage from them if they have thorns, spines, or a similar hazard.

Actions

Barbed Greatsword

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8+4 plus 2d6 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft, one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) slashing damage plus 7 (2d6) piercing damage.

Grasp of the Briar

Recharge 5–6

The thornheart guardian summons grasping, thorny vines to impede and drain the life of its foes. The ground within 20 feet of the thornheart guardian becomes difficult terrain for 1 minute. This difficult terrain doesn't cost the thornheart guardian extra movement. A creature that enters or starts its turn in the area must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be restrained by the plants. A restrained creature takes 7 (2d6) necrotic damage at the start of each of its turns. A creature, including the restrained target, can take its action to break the target free of the vines by succeeding on a DC 16 Strength check.

Multiattack

The thornheart guardian makes three attacks: two with its barbed greatsword and one with its thorny whip.

Thorny Whip

+8 to hit, reach 15 ft (4.6 m). Hit: 2d6+4 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) piercing damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 16) if it is a Medium or smaller creature. Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, the guardian can automatically hit the target with its thorny whip, and the guardian can't make thorny whip attacks against other targets.

About Thornheart Guardian

Thornheart Guardian is a large construct with a Challenge Rating of 9. It has a lawful evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 133 hit points (derived from 14d10+56).

Thornheart Guardian has communication capabilities including understands the languages of its creator but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Thornheart Guardian

2 tips available

When using Thornheart Guardian in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Significant Threat: Challenging for parties of levels 5-10
Epic Potential: Consider legendary actions for memorable battles

Player Guide: Facing Thornheart Guardian

2 strategies available

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

Significant Threat: Prepare spells and resources
Team Coordination: Coordinate attacks and defenses

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 Thornheart Guardian?: Thornheart Guardian has a Challenge Rating of 9, making it appropriate for parties of level 9.0.
What type of creature is Thornheart Guardian?: Thornheart Guardian is a Large Construct, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Thornheart Guardian speak?: Thornheart Guardian can communicate in understands the languages of its creator but can't speak.