Desert Walker
Medium • Undead • Neutral Evil
Armor Class 12
Hit Points 45 (7d8 + 14)
Speed 30 ft.
Initiative +0 (10)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (+3) | 10 (+0) | 14 (+2) | 8 (-1) | 10 (+0) | 8 (-1) |
Senses darkvision 60 ft.. passive Perception 10
Languages -
CR 2 (XP 450; PB +2)
Dusty End. When the desert walker dies, its body explodes into a cloud of dust that heavily obscures the area in a 5-foot emanation originating from the desert walker for 1 minute or until it is dispersed by a strong wind (such as one created by gust of wind).
ACTIONS
Withering Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +5, reach 5 ft. Hit: 16 (3d8 + 3) necrotic damage and the target is grappled (escape DC 13).
Desiccate. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 12, one creature within 15 feet of the desert walker that it can see. Failure: The target becomes dehydrated until it uses an action to drink water. A dehydrated creature can't regain hit points except by magical means and has disadvantage on Constitution checks and saving throws. If a dehydrated creature becomes dehydrated again before this effect ends, it gains one level of exhaustion.
REACTIONS
Drink the Healing. Trigger: A creature grappled by the desert walker regains hit points. Response: The creature regains only half as many hit points, and the desert walker regains the same amount of hit points.
Desert Walker
Medium • Undead • Neutral Evil
Armor Class 11
Hit Points 16 (3d8 + 3)
Speed 30 ft.
Initiative +0 (10)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 (+2) | 10 (+0) | 12 (+1) | 8 (-1) | 8 (-1) | 8 (-1) |
Senses darkvision 60 ft.. passive Perception 10
Languages -
CR 1/4 (XP 50; PB +2)
Dusty End. When the desert walker dies, its body explodes into a cloud of dust that heavily obscures the area in a 5-foot emanation originating from the desert walker for 1 minute or until it is dispersed by a strong wind (such as one created by gust of wind).
ACTIONS
Withering Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4, reach 5 ft. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) necrotic damage and the target is grappled (escape DC 12).
Desiccate. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 11, one creature within 15 feet of the desert walker that it can see. Failure: The target becomes dehydrated until it uses an action to drink water. A dehydrated creature can't regain hit points except by magical means and has disadvantage on Constitution checks and saving throws. If a dehydrated creature becomes dehydrated again before this effect ends, it gains one level of exhaustion.
REACTIONS
Drink the Healing. Trigger: A creature grappled by the desert walker regains hit points. Response: The creature regains only half as many hit points, and the desert walker regains the same amount of hit points.
Desert Walker
Medium • Undead • Neutral Evil
Armor Class 13
Hit Points 82 (11d8 + 33)
Speed 30 ft.
Initiative +1 (11)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 (+4) | 12 (+1) | 16 (+3) | 8 (-1) | 12 (+1) | 8 (-1) |
Senses darkvision 60 ft.. passive Perception 11
Languages -
CR 5 (XP 1,800; PB +3)
Dusty End. When the desert walker dies, its body explodes into a cloud of dust that heavily obscures the area in a 5-foot emanation originating from the desert walker for 1 minute or until it is dispersed by a strong wind (such as one created by gust of wind).
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The desert walker makes two Withering Claw attacks. It can replace of these attacks with a use of Dissicate
Withering Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +7, reach 5 ft. Hit: 17 (3d8 + 4) necrotic damage and the target is grappled (escape DC 13).
Desiccate. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 14, one creature within 15 feet of the desert walker that it can see. Failure: The target becomes dehydrated until it uses an action to drink water. A dehydrated creature can't regain hit points except by magical means and has disadvantage on Constitution checks and saving throws. If a dehydrated creature becomes dehydrated again before this effect ends, it gains one level of exhaustion.
REACTIONS
Drink the Healing. Trigger: A creature grappled by the desert walker regains hit points. Response: The creature regains only half as many hit points, and the desert walker regains the same amount of hit points.
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.