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Dinosaur, Guardian Archaeopteryx

Small · Beast · CR 2 · Unaligned

Source. Tome of Beasts 3

15 (natural armor)

36 (8d6+8)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-2

DEX

CON

INT

-3

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Small

Type Beast

Alignment Unaligned

XP 450

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 15 ft (4.6 m)

Fly 50 ft (15.2 m)

Swim 7 ft (2.1 m)

Climb 7 ft (2.1 m)

Crawl 7 ft (2.1 m)

Senses

Passive Perception 14

Skills

Perception +2

Languages

understands Common but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

poison

Traits

Flyby

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

Magic Resistance

Advantage: spell/magic effect saves.

Bonus Actions

Imbue Poison

The guardian archaeopteryx chooses a friendly creature it can see within 30' of it and imbues that creature's attacks with magical poison. The next time the friendly creature hits with an attack before the start of archaeopteryx's next turn target of attack takes an extra 2 (1d4) poison and must make DC 11 Con save or be poisoned until end of its next turn.

About Dinosaur, Guardian Archaeopteryx

Dinosaur, Guardian Archaeopteryx is a small beast with a Challenge Rating of 2. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 36 hit points (derived from 8d6+8).

Dinosaur, Guardian Archaeopteryx has communication capabilities including understands Common but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Dinosaur, Guardian Archaeopteryx

1 tips available

When using Dinosaur, Guardian Archaeopteryx 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.

Player Guide: Facing Dinosaur, Guardian Archaeopteryx

1 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.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 2.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 4 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 600 XP
Hard: 900 XP
Deadly: 1,200 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 Dinosaur, Guardian Archaeopteryx?: Dinosaur, Guardian Archaeopteryx has a Challenge Rating of 2, making it appropriate for parties of level 2.0.
What type of creature is Dinosaur, Guardian Archaeopteryx?: Dinosaur, Guardian Archaeopteryx is a Small Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Dinosaur, Guardian Archaeopteryx speak?: Dinosaur, Guardian Archaeopteryx can communicate in understands Common but can't speak.