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Relentless Hound

Medium · Undead · CR 4 · Chaotic Neutral

Source. Tome of Beasts 3

52 (8d8+16)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-3

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Chaotic Neutral

XP 1100

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Fly 20 ft (6.1 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 14

Saving Throws

Wisdom +2

Skills

Perception +0

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

cold, necrotic, poison

Damage Resistances

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

Condition Immunities

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

Traits

Good Dog

If a Humanoid that hasn’t harmed hound in last 24 hrs and takes action to offer it bit of food or speak kind words to it hound must make DC 12 Wis save or be charmed by that Humanoid for 1 hr or until Humanoid or its companions do anything harmful to hound. Also hound has disadvantage on saves vs. command spell.

Incorporeal Movement

Move through others/objects as difficult terrain. Takes 5 (1d10) force if it ends turn in object.

Pack Tactics

Advantage on attacks vs. creature if 1+ unincapacitated attacker ally is within 5 ft. of target.

Undead Nature

Doesn't require air food drink or sleep.

Reactions

Multiply

3/day

When it takes damage while below half its hp max it creates a spectral hound. Spectral hound uses the stats of a shadow except it doesn't have Sunlight Weakness trait and can't make new shadows when it kills Humanoids. It appears in an unoccupied space within 5 ft. of the relentless hound and acts on same initiative as that hound. After spectral hound finishes a long rest it becomes a relentless hound.

About Relentless Hound

Relentless Hound is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a chaotic neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 52 hit points (derived from 8d8+16).

GM Tips: Using Relentless Hound

3 tips available

When using Relentless Hound 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.
Incorporeal Movement: This creature can pass through objects and walls! Use 'Magic Circle', 'Forcecage', or other magical barriers. Physical obstacles are ineffective.
Pack Tactics Advantage: This creature has advantage on attack rolls when an ally is within 5 feet! Separate it from its pack or use 'Fear' spells to scatter allies. Single-target encounters reduce its effectiveness.

Player Guide: Facing Relentless Hound

3 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.
Hit Incorporeal Creature: This creature can pass through objects! Use magical weapons or spells. Physical attacks may not work. 'Magic Missile' or 'Spiritual Weapon' are effective.
Counter Pack Tactics: This creature has advantage when allies are nearby! Separate it from its pack. Use 'Fear' spells to scatter allies. Single-target encounters reduce its effectiveness.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

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

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 6 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 2,000 XP
Hard: 3,000 XP
Deadly: 4,000 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 Relentless Hound?: Relentless Hound has a Challenge Rating of 4, making it appropriate for parties of level 4.0.
What type of creature is Relentless Hound?: Relentless Hound is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.