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Berstuc

Large · Fiend · CR 11 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts

18 (natural armor)

157 (15d10+75)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Fiend

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 7200

Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Burrow 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 12

Saving Throws

Strength +10 Wisdom +6 Charisma +8

Skills

Deception +8 Nature +10 Stealth +4 Survival +6

Languages

Abyssal, Common, Sylvan; telepathy 120.0 ft (36.6 m).

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

lightning, poison

Damage Resistances

acid, fire; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

poisoned

Traits

False Presence

The berstuc counts as a fey for purposes of spells and magical effects that detect otherworldly creatures. Beasts and plants are comfortable around the berstuc and will not attack it unless ordered to or provoked.

Forest Camoflage

The berstuc's stealth bonus is increased to +8 in forest terrain.

Magic Resistance

The berstuc has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Twisted Path

The berstuc leaves no path through natural terrain and can't be tracked with skill checks or other natural means. Creatures that travel with it can't retrace their own trails, and they become hopelessly lost after 1 hour of travel. Creatures led astray by a berstuc have disadvantage on attempts to discern their location or to navigate for 24 hours.

Actions

Absorb

The berstuc draws a Medium or smaller creature it has grappled into its body. An absorbed creature is no longer grappled but is blinded and restrained, has total cover from attacks and other effects from outside the berstuc, and takes 14 (2d8 + 5) piercing damage plus 27 (5d10) poison damage at the start of each of the berstuc's turns. The berstuc can hold one absorbed creature at a time. If the berstuc takes 20 damage or more on a single turn from a creature inside it, the berstuc must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or expel the absorbed creature, which falls prone within 5 feet of the berstuc. If the berstuc dies, an absorbed creature is no longer restrained and can escape from the corpse by using 5 feet of movement, exiting prone.

Multiattack

The berstuc makes three slam attacks and Absorbs once.

Slam

+10 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage and the target is grappled (escape DC 16).

About Berstuc

Berstuc is a large fiend with a Challenge Rating of 11. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 157 hit points (derived from 15d10+75).

Berstuc has communication capabilities including Abyssal, Common, Sylvan; telepathy 120 ft.. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Berstuc

2 tips available

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

Burrowing Tactics: This creature can burrow at 20 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.
Telepathic Communication: This creature can communicate telepathically, making it excellent for coordination with allies. Silence spells won't stop its communication. Consider 'Mind Blank' or abilities that block telepathy.

Player Guide: Facing Berstuc

2 strategies available

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

Burrowing Defense: This creature can burrow at 20 ft! It can ambush from underground. Use 'Earthbind', create difficult terrain, or fight on hard surfaces. 'Stone Shape' can seal burrows.
Telepathy Awareness: This creature communicates telepathically! It can coordinate with allies silently. Silence won't stop it. Use 'Mind Blank' or abilities that block telepathy. Be cautious of mental attacks.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 11.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 15 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 13,200 XP
Hard: 19,800 XP
Deadly: 26,400 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 Berstuc?: Berstuc has a Challenge Rating of 11, making it appropriate for parties of level 11.0.
What type of creature is Berstuc?: Berstuc is a Large Fiend, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Berstuc speak?: Berstuc can communicate in Abyssal, Common, Sylvan; telepathy 120 ft..