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Steam Golem

Large · Construct · CR 13 · Unaligned

Source. Tome of Beasts

18 (natural armor)

171 (18d10+72)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-5

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Construct

Alignment Unaligned

XP 10000

Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 10

Languages

understands its creator's languages but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

fire, poison, psychic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks not made with adamantine weapons

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned

Environments

Arctic or Tundra Caves Coast Desert Forest or Jungle Grassland or Plains Hills Laboratory Lake Mountain Ocean Ruins Sewer Shadowfell The Abyss Astral Plane Elysium Ethereal Plane Feywild Hell Material Plane Plane of Air Plane of Earth Plane of Fire Plane of Water Swamp or Marsh Temple Badlands Tomb Underworld Urban

Traits

Boiler Weakness

A steam golem that's immersed in water or whose boiler is soaked with at least 20 gallons of water (such as from a water elemental) may be stopped in its tracks by the loss of steam pressure in the boiler. In the case of a water elemental, dousing a steam golem destroys the elemental and the golem must make a DC 20 Constitution saving throw. If it succeeds, the water instantly evaporates and the golem continues functioning normally. If it fails, the golem's fire is extinguished and the boiler loses pressure. The steam golem acts as if affected by a slow spell for 1d3 rounds, then becomes paralyzed until its fire is relit and it spends 15 minutes building up pressure.

Extend Long Ax

A steam golem can extend or retract one arm into long ax form as a bonus action.

Immutable Form

The golem is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form.

Magic Resistance

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

Magic Weapons

The golem's weapon attacks are magical.

Actions

Ax Arm

+13 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 4d6 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (4d6 + 8) slashing damage.

Long Axe

+13 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 5d12 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 40 (5d12 + 8) slashing damage.

Multiattack

The steam golem makes two ax arm attacks, or one long axe attack.

Steam Blast

Recharge 5–6

A steam golem can release a blast of steam. The golem chooses whether to affect a 5-foot radius around itself or a 20-foot cube adjacent to itself. Creatures in the affected area take 38 (7d10) fire damage, or half damage with a successful DC 17 Constitution saving throw.

Reactions

Whistle

When an opponent within 30 feet of the golem tries to cast a spell, the steam golem can emit a shriek from its twin steam whistles. The spellcaster must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw. If the save succeeds, the spell is cast normally. If it fails, the spell is not cast; the spell slot is not used, but the caster's action is.

About Steam Golem

Steam Golem is a large construct with a Challenge Rating of 13. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 171 hit points (derived from 18d10+72).

Steam Golem has communication capabilities including understands its creator's languages but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Steam Golem

1 tips available

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

Fire Damage Mitigation: This creature deals fire damage. Advise players to have fire resistance ready or use water-based tactics. Consider environmental fire hazards that could backfire on the creature.

Player Guide: Facing Steam Golem

1 strategies available

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

Fire Damage Protection: This creature deals fire damage! Get fire resistance from spells like 'Resistance' or potions. Avoid fighting near flammable objects. Water spells can counter fire attacks.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 13.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 17 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 18,200 XP
Hard: 27,300 XP
Deadly: 36,400 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 Steam Golem?: Steam Golem has a Challenge Rating of 13, making it appropriate for parties of level 13.0.
What type of creature is Steam Golem?: Steam Golem is a Large Construct, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Steam Golem speak?: Steam Golem can communicate in understands its creator's languages but can't speak.