Aberranch
Small • Aberration (Sorcerer) • Chaotic Evil
Armor Class 16
Hit Points 135 (18d6 + 72)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Initiative +8 (18)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 (+1) | 16 (+3) | 18 (+4) | 14 (+2) | 17 (+3) | 21 (+5) |
Saving Throws Dex +8, Cha +10
Skills Arcana +7, Deception +10, Perception +8
Damage Immunities acid, lightning, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned
Senses blindsight 30 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 18
Languages understands Common, Deep Speech, Draconic and one other language, but can only speaks via the message spell
CR 15 (XP 13,000 or 15,000 in lair; PB +5)
Duality of Flesh and Mind (3/Day, or 4/Day in Lair). If the aberranch fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. When it does so, either it expends one unspent legendary action or its Regeneration trait stops functioning until the end of its next turn.
Magic Resistance. The aberranch has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Regeneration. The aberranch regains 10 hit points at the start of each of its turns. If the aberranch takes piercing damage, this trait doesn't function on the aberranch's next turn.
Spider Climb. The aberranch can climb difficult surfaces, including along ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
Unusual Nature. The aberranch doesn't require air, food, drink, or sleep.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The aberranch makes three melee attacks, each of which it can replace with a use of Coiling Appendage.
Tendril. Melee Weapon Attack: +8, reach 5 ft. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) acid damage. The aberranch can also use a creature with a Tendril (through its Corrupt Magic) ability as the source of the attack.
Coiling Appendage. Strength Saving Throw: DC 16, one creature with a Tendril (through the aberranch's Corrupt Magic ability). Failure: The target takes 7 (2d6) bludgeoning damage and becomes restrained until the end of its next turn. Success: Half damage.
BONUS ACTIONS
Maddening Whisper. The aberranch casts message. The aberranch can choose to Wisdom Saving Throw: DC 18, the target. Failure: The target suffers a short-term madness until the end of its next turn. Success or Effect Ends: The target becomes immune to this effect for 1 hour.
REACTIONS
Corrupt Spell (Recharge 4-6). Trigger: A creature within 60 feet of the aberranch that it can see casts a spell. Response - Intelligence Saving Throw: DC 18. Failure: The spell fails without having an effect and is wasted. Additionally, the target grows a tentacle (AC 15, HP three times the spell’s level; immunity to acid, lightning, and poison damage) for 1 minute.
LEGENDARY ACTIONS
Legendary Action Uses: 3 (4 in Lair). Immediately after another creature's turn, the aberranch can expend a use to take one of the following actions. The aberranch regains all expended uses at the start of each of its turns.
Misleading Teleport. The aberranch chooses a point within 30 feet that it can see. It then either magically creates a fleshy double of itself at that point or teleports to that point and leaves the double where it was standing. The double dissolves into brine when it takes damage or if the aberranch moves, takes an action, or takes damage.
Spellcasting. The aberranch casts one of the following spells, requiring no spell components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 18). Further, the aberranch can't take this action again until the start of its next turn.
1/day: feeblemind, flesh to stone, modify memory, prismatic spray, telekinesis, web
Warped Magic. Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 18, each creature in a 10-foot-radius sphere centered on a point the aberranch can see within 60 feet of it. Failure: 7 (2d6) acid damage plus 7 (2d6) lightning damage. Success: Half damage. Failure or Success: The liquid unnaturally spreads around corners like flames and ignites flammable objects in the area that aren’t being worn or carried.
Aberranch
Small • Aberration (Sorcerer) • Chaotic Evil
Armor Class 15
Hit Points 117 (18d6 + 54)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Initiative +6 (16)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 (+0) | 14 (+2) | 16 (+3) | 12 (+1) | 15 (+2) | 19 (+4) |
Saving Throws Dex +6, Cha +8
Skills Arcana +5, Deception +8, Perception +6
Damage Immunities acid, lightning, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned
Senses blindsight 30 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 16
Languages understands Common, Deep Speech, Draconic and one other language, but can only speaks via the message spell
CR 12 (XP 8,400 or 10,000 in lair: PB +4)
Duality of Flesh and Mind (2/Day, or 3/Day in Lair). If the aberranch fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. When it does so, either it expends one unspent legendary action or its Regeneration trait stops functioning until the end of its next turn.
Magic Resistance. The aberranch has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Regeneration. The aberranch regains 10 hit points at the start of each of its turns. If the aberranch takes piercing damage, this trait doesn't function on the aberranch's next turn.
Spider Climb. The aberranch can climb difficult surfaces, including along ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
Unusual Nature. The aberranch doesn't require air, food, drink, or sleep.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The aberranch makes three melee attacks, each of which it can replace with a use of Coiling Appendage.
Tendril. Melee Weapon Attack: +6, reach 5 ft. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) acid damage. The aberranch can also use a creature with a Tendril (through its Corrupt Magic) ability as the source of the attack.
Coiling Appendage. Strength Saving Throw: DC 14, one creature with a Tendril (through the aberranch's Corrupt Magic ability). Failure: The target takes 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage and becomes restrained until the end of its next turn. Success: Half damage.
BONUS ACTIONS
Maddening Whisper. The aberranch casts message. The aberranch can choose to Wisdom Saving Throw: DC 16, the target. Failure: The target suffers a short-term madness until the end of its next turn. Success or Effect Ends: The target becomes immune to this effect for 1 hour.
REACTIONS
Corrupt Spell (Recharge 5-6). Trigger: A creature within 60 feet of the aberranch that it can see casts a spell. Response - Intelligence Saving Throw: DC 16. Failure: The spell fails without having an effect and is wasted. Additionally, the target grows a tentacle (AC 15, HP three times the spell’s level; immunity to acid, lightning, and poison damage) for 1 minute.
LEGENDARY ACTIONS
Legendary Action Uses: 3 (4 in Lair). Immediately after another creature's turn, the aberranch can expend a use to take one of the following actions. The aberranch regains all expended uses at the start of each of its turns.
Misleading Teleport. The aberranch chooses a point within 30 feet that it can see. It then either magically creates a fleshy double of itself at that point or teleports to that point and leaves the double where it was standing. The double dissolves into brine when it takes damage or if the aberranch moves, takes an action, or takes damage.
Spellcasting. The aberranch casts one of the following spells, requiring no spell components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 16). Further, the aberranch can't take this action again until the start of its next turn.
1/day: feeblemind, flesh to stone, modify memory, prismatic spray, telekinesis, web
Warped Magic. Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 16, each creature in a 10-foot-radius sphere centered on a point the aberranch can see within 60 feet of it. Failure: 7 (2d6) acid damage plus 3 (1d6) lightning damage. Success: Half damage. Failure or Success: The liquid unnaturally spreads around corners like flames and ignites flammable objects in the area that aren’t being worn or carried.
Aberranch
Small • Aberration (Sorcerer) • Chaotic Evil
Armor Class 17
Hit Points 153 (18d6 + 90)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Initiative +10 (20)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 (+2) | 18 (+4) | 20 (+5) | 16 (+3) | 19 (+4) | 23 (+6) |
Saving Throws Dex +10, Cha +12
Skills Arcana +9, Deception +12, Perception +10
Damage Immunities acid, lightning, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned
Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 20
Languages understands Common, Deep Speech, Draconic and one other language, but can only speaks via the message spell
CR 18 (XP 20,000 or 22,000 in lair; PB +6)
Duality of Flesh and Mind (4/Day, or 5/Day in Lair). If the aberranch fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. When it does so, either it expends one unspent legendary action or its Regeneration trait stops functioning until the end of its next turn.
Magic Resistance. The aberranch has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Regeneration. The aberranch regains 10 hit points at the start of each of its turns. If the aberranch takes piercing damage, this trait doesn't function on the aberranch's next turn.
Spider Climb. The aberranch can climb difficult surfaces, including along ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
Unusual Nature. The aberranch doesn't require air, food, drink, or sleep.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The aberranch makes three melee attacks, each of which it can replace with a use of Coiling Appendage.
Tendril. Melee Weapon Attack: +10, reach 5 ft. Hit: 6 (1d4 + 4) piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) acid damage. The aberranch can also use a creature with a Tendril (through its Corrupt Magic) ability as the source of the attack.
Coiling Appendage. Strength Saving Throw: DC 18, one creature with a Tendril (through the aberranch's Corrupt Magic ability). Failure: The target takes 9 (2d8) bludgeoning damage and becomes restrained until the end of its next turn. Success: Half damage.
BONUS ACTIONS
Maddening Whisper. The aberranch casts message. The aberranch can choose to Wisdom Saving Throw: DC 20, the target. Failure: The target suffers a short-term madness until the end of its next turn. Success or Effect Ends: The target becomes immune to this effect for 1 hour.
REACTIONS
Corrupt Spell (Recharge 4-6). Trigger: A creature within 60 feet of the aberranch that it can see casts a spell. Response - Intelligence Saving Throw: DC 18. Failure: The spell fails without having an effect and is wasted. Additionally, the target grows a tentacle (AC 15, HP three times the spell’s level; immunity to acid, lightning, and poison damage) for 1 minute.
LEGENDARY ACTIONS
Legendary Action Uses: 3 (4 in Lair). Immediately after another creature's turn, the aberranch can expend a use to take one of the following actions. The aberranch regains all expended uses at the start of each of its turns.
Misleading Teleport. The aberranch chooses a point within 60 feet that it can see. It then either magically creates a fleshy double of itself at that point or teleports to that point and leaves the double where it was standing. The double dissolves into brine when it takes damage or if the aberranch moves, takes an action, or takes damage.
Spellcasting. The aberranch casts one of the following spells, requiring no spell components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 20). Further, the aberranch can't take this action again until the start of its next turn.
1/day: feeblemind, flesh to stone, modify memory, prismatic spray, telekinesis, web
Warped Magic. Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 20, each creature in a 10-foot-radius sphere centered on a point the aberranch can see within 60 feet of it. Failure: 9 (2d8) acid damage plus 9 (2d8) lightning damage. Success: Half damage. Failure or Success: The liquid unnaturally spreads around corners like flames and ignites flammable objects in the area that aren’t being worn or carried.
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.