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Dream Eater

Medium · Fiend · CR 5 · Lawful Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts

15 (natural armor)

75 (10d8+30)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Fiend

Alignment Lawful Evil

XP 1800

Initiative Bonus +4

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Fly 20 ft (6.1 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 11

Skills

Deception +8 Insight +4 Persuasion +8

Languages

Celestial, Common, Draconic, Infernal, telepathy 100.0 ft (30.5 m).

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Resistances

cold, fire, lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

poisoned

Environments

Caves Ruins Underworld Urban

Traits

Innate Spellcasting

the dream eater's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 16). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

at will: command

3/day: suggestion

Shapechanger

The dream eater can use its turn to polymorph into a Small or Medium humanoid it has seen, or back into its true form. Its statistics, other than its size, are the same in all forms. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn't transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.

Actions

Bite

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d8 + 2) piercing damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 12).

Claw

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 4d10 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 24 (4d10 + 2) slashing damage.

Dream Eater's Caress

A creature that ends its turn grappled by a dream eater is restrained until the end of its next turn, it takes 5 (1d4 + 3) psychic damage, and the dream eater gains the same number of temporary hit points.

Lotus Scent

Recharge 6

The dream eater secretes an oily chemical that most creatures find intoxicating. All living creatures within 30 feet must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw against poison or be poisoned for 2d4 rounds. While poisoned this way, the creature is stunned. Creatures that successfully save are immune to that dream eater's lotus scent for 24 hours.

Multiattack

The dream eater makes one bite attack and one claw attack.

Waking Dreams

1/day

Every creature within 20 feet of the dream eater must make a DC 16 Charisma saving throw. Those that fail enter waking dreams and are confused (as the spell) for 6 rounds. On turns when the creature can act normally (rolls 9 or 10 for the confusion effect), it can repeat the saving throw at the end of its turn, and the effect ends early on a successful save.

About Dream Eater

Dream Eater is a medium fiend with a Challenge Rating of 5. It has a lawful evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 75 hit points (derived from 10d8+30).

Dream Eater has communication capabilities including Celestial, Common, Draconic, Infernal, telepathy 100 ft.. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Dream Eater

3 tips available

When using Dream Eater 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.
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.
Shapechanging Tactics: This creature can change form, potentially gaining new abilities or escaping. Use 'True Seeing' or abilities that reveal true form. Consider finishing blows before it transforms.

Player Guide: Facing Dream Eater

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.
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.
Counter Shapechanging: This creature can change form! Use 'True Seeing' to see its true form. Finish it quickly before it transforms. 'Dispel Magic' might prevent transformation.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 5.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 7 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 3,000 XP
Hard: 4,500 XP
Deadly: 6,000 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 Dream Eater?: Dream Eater has a Challenge Rating of 5, making it appropriate for parties of level 5.0.
What type of creature is Dream Eater?: Dream Eater is a Medium Fiend, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Dream Eater speak?: Dream Eater can communicate in Celestial, Common, Draconic, Infernal, telepathy 100 ft..