Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Rat King

Medium · Monstrosity · CR 5 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts
Armor Class
14 (natural armor)
Hit Points and Hit Dice
76 (9d8+36)
Challenge Rating CR
5

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
6
-2
DEX
16
+3
CON
18
+4
INT
11
+0
WIS
15
+2
CHA
16
+3

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Medium
Type Monstrosity
Alignment Chaotic Evil
XP 1800
Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)
Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)
Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)
Burrow 20 ft (6.1 m)
Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)
Passive Perception 12

Skills

Stealth +6

Languages

Common, Thieves' Cant

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
poison
Damage Resistances
bludgeoning, piercing, slashing
Condition Immunities
charmed, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained, stunned

Environments

Caves Ruins Underworld Urban

Traits

Keen Smell

The rat king has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.

Plague of Ill Omen

The rat king radiates a magical aura of misfortune in a 30-foot radius. A foe of the rat king that starts its turn in the aura must make a successful DC 14 Charisma saving throw or be cursed with bad luck until the start of its next turn. When a cursed character makes an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, it must subtract 1d4 from the result.

Actions

Bite

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage, and a bitten creature must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be infected with a disease. A diseased creature gains one level of exhaustion immediately. When the creature finishes a long rest, it must repeat the saving throw. On a failure, the creature gains another level of exhaustion. On a success, the disease does not progress. The creature recovers from the disease if its saving throw succeeds after two consecutive long rests or if it receives a lesser restoration spell or comparable magic. The creature then recovers from one level of exhaustion after each long rest.

Multiattack

The rat king makes four bite attacks.

Summon Swarm

1/day

The rat king summons three swarms of rats. The swarms appear immediately within 60 feet of the rat king. They can appear in spaces occupied by other creatures. The swarms act as allies of the rat king. They remain for 1 hour or until the rat king dies.

Reactions

Absorption

When the rat king does damage to a rat or rat swarm, it can absorb the rat, or part of the swarm, into its own mass. The rat king regains hit points equal to the damage it did to the rat or swarm.

About Rat King

Rat King is a medium monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 5. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 76 hit points (derived from 9d8+36).

Rat King has communication capabilities including Common, Thieves' Cant. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Rat King

1 tips available

When using Rat King 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.

Player Guide: Facing Rat King

1 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.

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 Rat King?
Rat King has a Challenge Rating of 5, making it appropriate for parties of level 5.0.
What type of creature is Rat King?
Rat King is a Medium Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Rat King speak?
Rat King can communicate in Common, Thieves' Cant.

Related D&D 5e Content

Related Creatures