Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Rusalka

Medium · Undead · CR 6 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts

14 (natural armor)

88 (16d8+16)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 2300

Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 40 ft (12.2 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 12

Languages

Common

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

necrotic, poison; piercing and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

charmed, frightened, paralyzed, poisoned

Environments

Ocean

Traits

Innate Spellcasting

the rusalka's innate casting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 15). She can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

at will: control water, suggestion, tongues, water walk (can be ended freely at will)

1/day: dominate person

Watery Camouflage

In dim light or darkness, a rusalka that's underwater is invisible.

Withered Tresses

If a rusalka is kept out of water for 24 consecutive hours, its hair and body dry into desiccated swamp weeds and the creature is utterly destroyed.

Actions

Breathless Kiss

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m).

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: the target is grappled (escape DC 13) and the rusalka draws all the air from the target's lungs with a kiss. If the rusalka has movement remaining, she drags the grappled creature into deep water, where it begins suffocating.

Drowning Hair

1/day

The rusalka's long hair tangles around a creature the rusalka has grappled. The creature takes 33 (6d10) necrotic damage, or half damage with a successful DC 15 Constitution saving throw. In addition, until it escapes the rusalka's grapple, it is restrained and has disadvantage on Strength checks to break free of the grapple.

About Rusalka

Rusalka is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 6. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 88 hit points (derived from 16d8+16).

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

GM Tips: Using Rusalka

1 tips available

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

Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 40 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.

Player Guide: Facing Rusalka

1 strategies available

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

Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 40 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 6.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 9 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 4,200 XP
Hard: 6,300 XP
Deadly: 8,400 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 Rusalka?: Rusalka has a Challenge Rating of 6, making it appropriate for parties of level 6.0.
What type of creature is Rusalka?: Rusalka is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Rusalka speak?: Rusalka can communicate in Common.