Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Moss Lurker

Small · Humanoid · CR 1 · Chaotic Neutral

Source. Tome of Beasts

15 (natural armor)

45 (10d6+10)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Small

Type Humanoid

Alignment Chaotic Neutral

XP 200

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Blindsight 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 12

Saving Throws

Strength +4 Dexterity +4

Skills

Perception +2 Stealth +4

Languages

Giant, Sylvan, Trollkin

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

fire, poison

Condition Immunities

blind, poisoned

Environments

Caves Forest or Jungle Ruins Swamp or Marsh Underworld

Traits

Camouflage

A moss lurker has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks to hide in forested or swampy terrain.

Keen Hearing and Smell

The moss lurker has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.

Love of Heavy Weapons

While moss lurkers can use heavy weapons, they have disadvantage while wielding them.

Poisoned Gifts

A moss lurker can contaminate liquids or food with poison. Someone who consumes the contaminated substance must make a successful DC 11 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 hour. When the poison is introduced, the moss lurker can choose a poison that also causes the victim to fall unconscious, or to become paralyzed while poisoned in this way. An unconscious creature wakes if it takes damage, or if a creature uses an action to shake it awake.

Actions

Claw

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage.

Dropped Boulder

+4 to hit, range 100 ft (30.5 m). Hit: 3d6 bludgeoning damage.

Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 100 ft. (vertically), one target. Hit: 10 (3d6) bludgeoning damage.

Great Sword or Maul

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) slashing or bludgeoning damage.

Mushroom-Poisoned Javelin

+4 to hit, range 30 ft (9.1 m). Hit: 1d6 poison damage.

Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 30 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage plus 6 (1d12) poison damage and the target is poisoned until the start of the moss lurker's next turn. A successful DC 11 Constitution save halves the poison damage and prevents poisoning.

About Moss Lurker

Moss Lurker is a small humanoid with a Challenge Rating of 1. It has a chaotic neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 45 hit points (derived from 10d6+10).

Moss Lurker has communication capabilities including Giant, Sylvan, Trollkin. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Moss Lurker

2 tips available

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

Mid-level Encounter: Ideal for parties levels 3-8 as solo or small groups
Terrain Advantage: Use terrain to offset moderate combat abilities

Player Guide: Facing Moss Lurker

2 strategies available

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

Moderate Threat: Prepare standard combat tactics
Tactical Advantage: Use terrain and positioning

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 1.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 3 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 200 XP
Hard: 300 XP
Deadly: 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 Moss Lurker?: Moss Lurker has a Challenge Rating of 1, making it appropriate for parties of level 1.0.
What type of creature is Moss Lurker?: Moss Lurker is a Small Humanoid, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Moss Lurker speak?: Moss Lurker can communicate in Giant, Sylvan, Trollkin.