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Zalikum

Huge · Construct · CR 7 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

16 (natural armor)

103 (9d12+45)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-1

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Huge

Type Construct

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 2900

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 20 ft (6.1 m)

Fly 80 ft (24.4 m)

Swim 10 ft (3 m)

Climb 10 ft (3 m)

Crawl 10 ft (3 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 13

Saving Throws

Dexterity +6 Charisma +5

Skills

Perception +3

Languages

understands the languages of its creator but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

fire, necrotic, poison, psychic

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned

Traits

Flyby

The zalikum doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy’s reach.

Ghastly Heated Body

A creature that touches the zalikum or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes 3 (1d6) fire damage and 3 (1d6) necrotic damage.

Rejuvenation

The zalikum can store the souls of up to 3 victims inside it at one time. If it has at least 1 soul, a destroyed zalikum gains a new body in 1d10 days, regaining all its hp and becoming active again. The new body appears within 5 feet of its sandy remains. If its sandy remains are soaked with holy water and buried in consecrated ground, its trapped souls are freed, and the zalikum can’t rejuvenate.

Actions

Beak

+7 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d8+4 plus 1d6 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage plus 3 (1d6) fire damage and 3 (1d6) necrotic damage. If a creature is slain by this attack, its body crumbles to sand, and the zalikum stores its soul. The creature can be restored to life only if the zalikum is destroyed and can't rejuvenate (see the Rejuvenation trait).

Death-infused Desert Breath

Recharge 6

The zalikum exhales superheated sand infused with the power of damned souls in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in the area must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw, taking 14 (4d6) fire damage and 14 (4d6) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If a creature's saving throw fails by 5 or more, the creature also suffers one level of exhaustion.

Multiattack

The zalikum makes one beak attack and one talon attack.

Talon

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+4 plus 1d6 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage plus 3 (1d6) fire damage and 3 (1d6) necrotic damage.

About Zalikum

Zalikum is a huge construct with a Challenge Rating of 7. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 103 hit points (derived from 9d12+45).

Zalikum 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 Zalikum

2 tips available

When using Zalikum 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.
Fire Damage Mitigation: This creature deals fire damage. Advise players to have fire resistance ready or use water-based tactics. Consider environmental fire hazards that could backfire on the creature.

Player Guide: Facing Zalikum

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.
Fire Damage Protection: This creature deals fire damage! Get fire resistance from spells like 'Resistance' or potions. Avoid fighting near flammable objects. Water spells can counter fire attacks.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 7.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 10 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 5,600 XP
Hard: 8,400 XP
Deadly: 11,200 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 Zalikum?: Zalikum has a Challenge Rating of 7, making it appropriate for parties of level 7.0.
What type of creature is Zalikum?: Zalikum is a Huge Construct, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Zalikum speak?: Zalikum can communicate in understands the languages of its creator but can't speak.