Malakar
Large • Giant • Chaotic Evil
Armor Class 16
Hit Points 161 (17d10 + 68)
Speed 30 ft.
Initiative +0 (10)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 (+4) | 10 (+0) | 18 (+4) | 13 (+1) | 17 (+3) | 7 (-2) |
Saving Throws Wis +6
Skills Arcana +4, Insight +6
Damage Resistances necrotic
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages Giant
CR 8 (XP 3,900; PB +3)
Cursed Antipathy. Creatures that are cursed by the malakar have disadvantage on attack rolls against it, and the malakar has advantage on saving throws of spells forced by such creatures.
Hex Weakness. The malakar automatically fails any saving throw or is hit by any attack or ability that inflicts a curse against it.
Festering Curses. When a creature inflicted by a curse of the malakar is targeted by a remove curse spell, it must first succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw, or the dispelling of the curse fails, and the spell is wasted. A remove curse spell cast with a spell slot of level 5 or higher, or a similar spell or effect of equal power, immediately takes effect without requiring a save.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The malakar makes two Hex Bash attacks.
Hex Bash. Melee Weapon Attack: +7, reach 5 ft. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage, and the target becomes cursed. The target can choose not to become cursed, in which case it takes an extra 16 (3d10) necrotic damage that bypasses resistance or immunity. When the target becomes cursed, the malakar can choose one of the following effects (a creature can be afflicted by more than one effect of this ability at the same time, an effect that dispels curses ends all effects together):
- The target's speed is commulatively reduced by 5 feet (to a minimum of 5 feet).
- The target's maximum hit points are reduced by 5 (to a minimum of 1).
- The target’s proficiency bonus is reduced by 1 (to a minimum of 0).
Curse Host. Wisdom Saving Throw: DC 14, one creature within 30 feet of the malakar that it can see. Failure: The target becomes cursed by a curse that the malakar is afflicted by.
Unravel Magic (1/Day). The malakar creates the effects of the antimagic field spell in a 10-foot emanation originating from it. The effects last until the start of the malakar’s next turn. The area doesn't move the malakar.
BONUS ACTIONS
Hex (3/Day). The malakar casts hex.
Expedite Curse. Charisma Saving Throw: DC 14, one creature within 30 feet afflicted by a curse from a malakar. Failure: The malakar applies the effects of all curses the target is afflicted by again cumulatively, if possible. Success: The target becomes immune to this ability for 24 hours.
Malakar
Large • Giant • Chaotic Evil
Armor Class 15
Hit Points 110 (13d10 + 39)
Speed 30 ft.
Initiative +0 (10)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 (+3) | 10 (+0) | 16 (+3) | 11 (+0) | 15 (+2) | 7 (-2) |
Skills Arcana +3, Insight +5
Damage Resistances necrotic
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Giant
CR 5 (XP 1,800; PB +3)
Cursed Antipathy. Creatures that are cursed by the malakar have disadvantage on attack rolls against it, and the malakar has advantage on saving throws of spells forced by such creatures.
Hex Weakness. The malakar automatically fails any saving throw or is hit by any attack or ability that inflicts a curse against it.
Festering Curses. When a creature inflicted by a curse of the malakar is targeted by a remove curse spell, it must first succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw, or the dispelling of the curse fails, and the spell is wasted. A remove curse spell cast with a spell slot of level 5 or higher, or a similar spell or effect of equal power, immediately takes effect without requiring a save.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The malakar makes two Hex Bash attacks.
Hex Bash. Melee Weapon Attack: +6, reach 5 ft. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) bludgeoning damage, and the target becomes cursed. The target can choose not to become cursed, in which case it takes an extra 11 (2d10) necrotic damage that bypasses resistance or immunity. When the target becomes cursed, the malakar can choose one of the following effects (a creature can be afflicted by more than one effect of this ability at the same time, an effect that dispels curses ends all effects together):
- The target's speed is commulatively reduced by 5 feet (to a minimum of 5 feet).
- The target's maximum hit points are reduced by 5 (to a minimum of 1).
- The target’s proficiency bonus is reduced by 1 (to a minimum of 0).
Curse Host. Wisdom Saving Throw: DC 13, one creature within 30 feet of the malakar that it can see. Failure: The target becomes cursed by a curse that the malakar is afflicted by.
Unravel Magic (1/Day). The malakar creates the effects of the antimagic field spell in a 10-foot emanation originating from it. The effects last until the start of the malakar’s next turn. The area doesn't move the malakar.
BONUS ACTIONS
Hex (3/Day). The malakar casts hex.
Expedite Curse. Charisma Saving Throw: DC 13, one creature within 30 feet afflicted by a curse from a malakar. Failure: The malakar applies the effects of all curses the target is afflicted by again cumulatively, if possible. Success: The target becomes immune to to this ability for 24 hours.
Malakar
Large • Giant • Chaotic Evil
Armor Class 17
Hit Points 210 (20d10 + 100)
Speed 30 ft.
Initiative +0 (10)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 (+5) | 10 (+0) | 20 (+5) | 15 (+2) | 19 (+4) | 7 (-2) |
Saving Throws Int +6, Wis +8
Skills Arcana +6, Insight +8
Damage Resistances necrotic
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Giant
CR 11 (XP 7,200; PB +4)
Cursed Antipathy. Creatures that are cursed by the malakar have disadvantage on attack rolls against it, and the malakar has advantage on saving throws of spells forced by such creatures.
Hex Weakness. The malakar automatically fails any saving throw or is hit by any attack or ability that inflicts a curse against it.
Festering Curses. When a creature inflicted by a curse of the malakar is targeted by a remove curse spell, it must first succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw, or the dispelling of the curse fails, and the spell is wasted. A remove curse spell cast with a spell slot of level 5 or higher, or a similar spell or effect of equal power, immediately takes effect without requiring a save.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The malakar makes two Hex Bash attacks.
Hex Bash. Melee Weapon Attack: +9, reach 5 ft. Hit: 15 (3d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage, and the target becomes cursed. The target can choose not to become cursed, in which case it takes an extra 22 (4d10) necrotic damage that bypasses resistance or immunity. When the target becomes cursed, the malakar can choose one of the following effects (a creature can be afflicted by more than one effect of this ability at the same time, an effect that dispels curses ends all effects together):
- The target's speed is commulatively reduced by 5 feet (to a minimum of 5 feet).
- The target's maximum hit points are reduced by 5 (to a minimum of 1).
- The target’s proficiency bonus is reduced by 1 (to a minimum of 0).
Curse Host. Wisdom Saving Throw: DC 16, one creature within 30 feet of the malakar that it can see. Failure: The target becomes cursed by a curse that the malakar is afflicted by.
Unravel Magic (2/Day). The malakar creates the effects of the antimagic field spell in a 10-foot emanation originating from it. The effects last until the start of the malakar’s next turn. The area doesn't move the malakar.
BONUS ACTIONS
Hex (3/Day). The malakar casts hex.
Expedite Curse. Charisma Saving Throw: DC 16, one creature within 30 feet afflicted by a curse from a malakar. Failure: The malakar applies the effects of all curses the target is afflicted by again cumulatively, if possible. Success: The target becomes immune to to this ability for 24 hours.
QUICK REFERENCE
USING MONSTER VARIANTS
Monster variants allow the GM to adjust encounters to better match the party’s strength, narrative needs, or world-building logic. A weaker variant may represent a juvenile, wounded, or lesser specimen, while a stronger variant can serve as a leader, champion, ancient creature, or apex predator.
Variants can be used to fine-tune difficulty without changing the core identity of the monster, making them ideal for scaling encounters, reinforcing hierarchy within a faction, or creating memorable boss-style enemies. You can even use the same stat block but different variants in the same encounter if you want.
Design Note. Each monster is primarily balanced around its normal version. Weaker and stronger variants are derived adjustments and may not always preserve every tactical nuance or “feel” of the original creature. GMs are encouraged to review variants carefully and adjust abilities or tactics as needed to best suit their table.