Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Ala

Medium · Fey · CR 8 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts

17 (natural armor)

127 (15d8+60)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

-1

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Fey

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 3900

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Fly 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 19

Skills

Athletics +8 Perception +9 Stealth +6

Languages

Common, Draconic

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

lightning, poison, thunder

Condition Immunities

poisoned

Environments

Arctic or Tundra Caves Coast Desert Forest or Jungle Grassland or Plains Hills Laboratory Lake Mountain Ocean Ruins Sewer Shadowfell The Abyss Astral Plane Elysium Ethereal Plane Feywild Hell Material Plane Plane of Air Plane of Earth Plane of Fire Plane of Water Swamp or Marsh Temple Badlands Tomb Underworld Urban

Traits

Flyby

The ala doesn't provoke an opportunity attack when it flies out of an enemy's reach.

Poison Flesh

The ala's poison infuses its flesh. A creature that makes a successful bite attack against an ala must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw; if it fails, the creature takes 10 (3d6) poison damage.

Storm's Strength

If an electrical storm is raging around an ala and its target, the saving throw against Lightning's Kiss is made with disadvantage.

Actions

Bite

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d10 poison damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 16 saving throw or take 10 (3d6) poison damage.

Claw

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) slashing damage.

Lightning's Kiss

Recharge 5–6

One target within 50 feet must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw. It takes 28 (8d6) lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Multiattack

The ala makes two claw attacks or one claw and one bite attack.

About Ala

Ala is a medium fey with a Challenge Rating of 8. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 127 hit points (derived from 15d8+60).

Ala has communication capabilities including Common, Draconic. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Ala

2 tips available

When using Ala 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.
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 Ala

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.
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 8.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 11 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 7,200 XP
Hard: 10,800 XP
Deadly: 14,400 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 Ala?: Ala has a Challenge Rating of 8, making it appropriate for parties of level 8.0.
What type of creature is Ala?: Ala is a Medium Fey, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Ala speak?: Ala can communicate in Common, Draconic.