Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Primordial Matriarch

Gargantuan · Elemental · CR 21 · Neutral

Source. Tome of Beasts 3

313 (19d20+114)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

+10

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Gargantuan

Type Elemental

Alignment Neutral

XP 33000

Initiative Bonus +10

Movement

Fly 120 ft (36.6 m)

Senses

Blindsight 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 15

Saving Throws

Strength +1 Wisdom +1 Charisma +1

Skills

Perception +5

Languages

Primordial

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Resistances

acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder; nonmagic B/P/S attacks

Condition Immunities

exhaustion, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained, unconscious

Traits

Elemental Attacks

Her weapon attacks are magical. When she hits with any weapon it deals extra 5d6 damage of Roiling Elements type.

Elemental Aura

At start of each of her turns each creature within 5 ft. of her takes 10 (3d6) damage of Roiling Elements type. Creature that touches her or hits her with melee attack while within 10 ft. of her: 10 (3d6) damage of Roiling Elements type. Nonmagical weapon that hits her is destroyed after dealing damage.

Elemental Lash

Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, 15 ft., one target, 32 (4d10+10) bludgeoning damage + 17 (5d6) damage of the type determined by Roiling Elements.

Elemental Nature

Doesn’t require air food drink or sleep.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day)

Choose to succeed failed save.

Magic Resistance

Advantage: spell/magic effect saves.

Roiling Elements

At the start of each of her turns she chooses one of the following damage types: acid cold fire lightning or thunder. She has immunity to that damage type until the start of her next turn.

Siege Monster

Double damage to objects/structures.

Storm Blast

The primordial matriarch emits elemental energy in a 90' cone. Each creature in the area: 21 (6d6) damage of the type determined by Roiling Elements and suffers one of the following effects depending on the damage type (DC 20 Dex half damage and no additional effect unless specified below).Acid Blast Fail: creature is covered in acid. At the start of each of its turns it takes 7 (2d6) acid until it or another creature takes an action to scrape or wash off the acid.Cold Blast Fail: creature is restrained by ice until end of its next turn or until it or another creature takes an action to break it free. Success: creature’s speed is reduced by 10 ft. until end of its next turn.Fire Blast Fail: creature catches fire. Until it or another creature takes an action to douse the fire creature takes 7 (2d6) fire at the start of each of its turns.Lightning Blast Fail: creature incapacitated until end of its next turn. Succcess: creature can’t take reactions until start of its next turn.Thunder Blast Fail: creature is deafened for 1 min. At the end of each of its turns a deafened creature can repeat the save ending deafness on itself on a success. Success: creature is deafened until the end of its next turn.

Reactions

Elemental Adaptation

When she would take acid cold fire lightning or thunder she can change the element selected with Roiling Elements to that type of damage gaining immunity to that damage type including the triggering damage.

Legendary Actions

Create Elemental

Cost 2

Uses Create Elementals.

Elemental Change

Cost 1

Changes the damage immunity granted by Roiling Elements.

Fly

Cost 1

Up to half her flying speed with o provoking opportunity attacks.

Return to Mother

Cost 3

Absorbs Elemental within 10 ft. of her gaining temp hp equal to 10 times the CR of Elemental absorbed.

About Primordial Matriarch

Primordial Matriarch is a gargantuan elemental with a Challenge Rating of 21. It has a neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 20 and possesses 313 hit points (derived from 19d20+114).

Primordial Matriarch has communication capabilities including Primordial. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Primordial Matriarch

4 tips available

When using Primordial Matriarch 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.
Cold Damage Strategy: Cold-based attacks can slow or freeze. Prepare 'Heat Metal' or fire spells as countermeasures. Ice terrain can be used to create difficult terrain for melee characters.
Lightning Damage Awareness: Lightning attacks often have long range and high speed. Advise players to use cover and avoid metal armor/weapons. Water surfaces amplify lightning damage - avoid fighting near water.

Player Guide: Facing Primordial Matriarch

4 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.
Cold Damage Protection: This creature deals cold damage! Get cold resistance or use fire spells. Avoid water surfaces - they can freeze and create difficult terrain. 'Heat Metal' can counter cold.
Lightning Damage Protection: This creature deals lightning damage! Avoid metal armor and weapons. Use cover and avoid water surfaces. 'Iron Skin' or 'Protection from Energy' can help.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 21.

High-Level Solo Encounter:

This creature is too powerful for a single level-20 character. You need 3.0 character(s) at maximum level (20) to face this creature.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 46,200 XP
Hard: 69,300 XP
Deadly: 92,400 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 Primordial Matriarch?: Primordial Matriarch has a Challenge Rating of 21, making it appropriate for parties of level 21.0.
What type of creature is Primordial Matriarch?: Primordial Matriarch is a Gargantuan Elemental, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Primordial Matriarch speak?: Primordial Matriarch can communicate in Primordial.