Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Willowhaunt

Huge · Undead · CR 5 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

14 (natural armor)

90 (12d12+12)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-1

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Huge

Type Undead

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 1800

Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

Walk 20 ft (6.1 m)

Swim 10 ft (3 m)

Climb 10 ft (3 m)

Crawl 10 ft (3 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 12

Saving Throws

Strength +6 Charisma +7

Skills

Insight +5 Intimidation +7

Languages

understands Common but can't speak, telepathy 60.0 ft (18.3 m).

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

necrotic, poison

Damage Resistances

lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned

Traits

Living Projection

The willowhaunt’s skeletal form is covered with a magical illusion that makes it look like a living willow tree. The willowhaunt can use a bonus action to dismiss this illusion until the end of its next turn.

The changes wrought by this illusion fail to hold up to physical inspection. For example, the willowhaunt’s trunk appears to be made of bark, but someone touching it would feel the tree’s polished bones. Otherwise, a creature must take an action to visually inspect the illusion and succeed on a DC 20 Intelligence (Investigation) check to discern the willowhaunt’s true appearance.

Actions

Multiattack

The willowhaunt makes two slam attacks.

Provoke Murder

The willowhaunt chooses up to two creatures it can see within 30 feet of it. Each target must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be overcome with murderous intent for 1 minute. While overcome with murderous intent, a creature has advantage on melee attack rolls and is compelled to kill creatures within 30 feet of the willowhaunt. The creature is unable to distinguish friend from foe and must attack the nearest creature other than the willowhaunt each turn. If no other creature is near enough to move to and attack, it stalks off in a random direction, seeking a new target to drag within 30 feet of the willowhaunt. The creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Slam

+6 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 1d12+3 plus 2d6 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one creature. Hit: 9 (1d12 + 3) bludgeoning damage plus 7 (2d6) necrotic damage.

Whispers of Madness

Recharge 5–6

The willowhaunt whispers in the minds of nearby creatures. Each creature of the willowhaunt's choice within 30 feet of it must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 18 (4d8) psychic damage and is afflicted with short term madness. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn't afflicted with madness. If a saving throw fails by 5 or more, the creature is afflicted with long term madness instead. A creature afflicted with madness caused by the willowhaunt's whispers has disadvantage on its saving throw against the Willowhaunt's Provoke Murder.

About Willowhaunt

Willowhaunt is a huge undead with a Challenge Rating of 5. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 90 hit points (derived from 12d12+12).

Willowhaunt has communication capabilities including understands Common but can't speak, telepathy 60 ft.. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Willowhaunt

1 tips available

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

Telepathic Communication: This creature can communicate telepathically, making it excellent for coordination with allies. Silence spells won't stop its communication. Consider 'Mind Blank' or abilities that block telepathy.

Player Guide: Facing Willowhaunt

1 strategies available

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

Telepathy Awareness: This creature communicates telepathically! It can coordinate with allies silently. Silence won't stop it. Use 'Mind Blank' or abilities that block telepathy. Be cautious of mental attacks.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 5.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 7 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 3,000 XP
Hard: 4,500 XP
Deadly: 6,000 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 Willowhaunt?: Willowhaunt has a Challenge Rating of 5, making it appropriate for parties of level 5.0.
What type of creature is Willowhaunt?: Willowhaunt is a Huge Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Willowhaunt speak?: Willowhaunt can communicate in understands Common but can't speak, telepathy 60 ft..