Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Malmbjorn

Huge · Monstrosity · CR 15 · Unaligned

Source. Tome of Beasts 3

18 (natural armor)

218 (19d12+95)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Huge

Type Monstrosity

Alignment Unaligned

XP 13000

Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 30 ft (9.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Burrow 10 ft (3 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 16

Saving Throws

Constitution +1 Wisdom +6

Skills

Perception +1

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

cold

Damage Resistances

nonmagic B/P/S attacks

Damage Vulnerabilities

acid

Traits

Keen Smell

Advantage: smell Wis (Percept) checks.

Metal Sense

Can pinpoint by scent location of any Small or larger ferrous metal such as an iron deposit or steel armor within 100' of it. It can sense general direction of such metal within 1 mile.

Tunneler

Can burrow through solid rock at half its burrow speed and leaves a 15-foot-diameter tunnel in its wake.

Bonus Actions

Metal Eater

Swallows one Med or smaller ferrous metal object within 5 ft. of it. If the object is being held or worn by a creature that creature must make DC 18 Str save or malmbjorn swallows the object. If the creature holding or wearing the object is also grappled by the malmbjorn it has disadvantage on this save. Nonmagical objects are digested and destroyed at the start of malmbjorn's next turn. Magic objects remain intact in malmbjorn's stomach for 8 hrs then are destroyed. Artifacts are never destroyed in this way.

Reactions

Ironhide

When hit by a metal weapon fur-like metal spikes grow out of its hide until end of its next turn. While spikes remain its AC increases 2 and any critical hit vs. it becomes a normal hit.

About Malmbjorn

Malmbjorn is a huge monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 15. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 218 hit points (derived from 19d12+95).

GM Tips: Using Malmbjorn

2 tips available

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

Burrowing Tactics: This creature can burrow at 10 ft. It can ambush from underground or escape combat by digging. Use 'Earthbind' or create difficult terrain to limit burrowing. Consider fighting in areas without soft ground.
Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 30 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.

Player Guide: Facing Malmbjorn

2 strategies available

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

Burrowing Defense: This creature can burrow at 10 ft! It can ambush from underground. Use 'Earthbind', create difficult terrain, or fight on hard surfaces. 'Stone Shape' can seal burrows.
Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 30 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 15.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 19 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 24,000 XP
Hard: 36,000 XP
Deadly: 48,000 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 Malmbjorn?: Malmbjorn has a Challenge Rating of 15, making it appropriate for parties of level 15.0.
What type of creature is Malmbjorn?: Malmbjorn is a Huge Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.