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Zaratan

Gargantuan · Monstrosity · CR 26 · Unaligned

Source. Tome of Beasts
Armor Class
25 (natural armor)
Hit Points and Hit Dice
507 (26d20+234)
Challenge Rating CR
26

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
30
+10
DEX
3
-4
CON
28
+9
INT
10
+0
WIS
11
+0
CHA
11
+0

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Gargantuan
Type Monstrosity
Alignment Unaligned
XP 90000
Initiative Bonus -4

Movement

Walk 10 ft (3 m)
Swim 50 ft (15.2 m)
Climb 5 ft (1.5 m)
Crawl 5 ft (1.5 m)

Senses

Blindsight 120 ft (36.6 m)
Passive Perception 10

Saving Throws

Intelligence +8 Wisdom +8 Charisma +8

Languages

Aquan

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
cold, poison
Damage Resistances
fire, lightning, thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, slashing
Condition Immunities
frightened, paralyzed, poisoned

Environments

Forest or Jungle Grassland or Plains Hills Mountain Ocean Underworld

Traits

Endless Breath

The zaratan breathes air, but it can hold its breath for years.

False Appearance

While the zaratan remains motionless on the surface of the ocean (except for drifting) it is indistinguishable from a small island.

Fortified Shell

The zaratan ignores any attack against its shell that doesn't do 30 points of damage or more. Attacking the zaratan's head or flippers bypasses this trait.

Siege Monster

The zaratan does double damage to objects and structures.

Actions

Bite

+18 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 3d10 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 26 (3d10 + 10) piercing damage and the target is grappled (escape DC 20). Until the grapple ends, the target is restrained and the zaratan can't bite another target.

Flipper

+18 to hit, reach 15 ft (4.6 m). Hit: 2d8 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (2d8 + 10) bludgeoning damage and the target must succeed on a DC 26 Strength saving throw or be pushed 10 feet away from the zaratan.

Multiattack

The zaratan makes one bite attack and two flipper attacks.

Swallow

The zaratan makes one bite attack against a Huge or smaller creature it is grappling. If the attack hits, the target takes 26 (3d10 + 10) piercing damage, is swallowed, and the grapple ends. A swallowed creature is blinded and restrained, but has total cover against attacks and effects outside the zaratan. A swallowed creature takes 28 (8d6) acid damage at the start of each of the zaratan's turns. The zaratan can have any number of creatures swallowed at once. If the zaratan takes 40 damage or more on a single turn from a creature inside it, the zaratan must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution saving throw at the end of that turn or regurgitate all swallowed creatures, which fall prone in a space within 10 feet of the zaratan. If the zaratan dies, swallowed creatures are no longer restrained and can escape by using 30 feet of movement, exiting prone.

Legendary Actions

Consume

Cost 1

The zaratan makes one bite attack or uses Swallow.

Move

Cost 1

The zaratan moves up to half its speed.

Swipe

Cost 1

The zaratan makes one flipper attack.

About Zaratan

Zaratan is a gargantuan monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 26. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 25 and possesses 507 hit points (derived from 26d20+234).

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

GM Tips: Using Zaratan

1 tips available

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

  • Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 50 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.

Player Guide: Facing Zaratan

1 strategies available

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

  • Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 50 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 26.

High-Level Solo Encounter:

This creature is too powerful for a single level-20 character. You need 4.0 character(s) at maximum level (20) to face this creature.

Experience Point Thresholds:

  • Medium: 70,200 XP
  • Hard: 105,300 XP
  • Deadly: 140,400 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 Zaratan?
Zaratan has a Challenge Rating of 26, making it appropriate for parties of level 26.0.
What type of creature is Zaratan?
Zaratan is a Gargantuan Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Zaratan speak?
Zaratan can communicate in Aquan.

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