Medium monstrosity, neutral evil
Armor Class 12
Hit Points 39 (6d8+12)
Speed 40 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +3 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 (+2) | 14 (+2) | 14 (+2) | 3 (-4) | 13 (+1) | 6 (-2) |
Skills Perception +5, Stealth +4
Senses Darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 15
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Pack Tactics (suggested). The deathdog has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the deathdog’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
Two-Headed. The dog has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks and on saving throws against being blinded, charmed, deafened, frightened, stunned, or knocked unconscious.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The dog makes two bite attacks.
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d10 + 2) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw against disease or become poisoned until the disease is cured. Every 24 hours that elapse, the creature must repeat the saving throw, reducing its hit point maximum by 5 (1d10) on a failure. This reduction lasts until the disease is cured. The creature dies if the disease reduces its hit point maximum to 0
5th Edition Advanced Mode
Limiting the power of a character and making the overall difficulty of the game harder, does not reduce the creativity, indeed it does quite the opposite.
The Game Master has the option to use any and all of the instances proposed in this guide, or just some of them according to their preference.
It is the lack of something that move and motivate characters, not the abundance of it
DESCRIPTION
A death dog is a monstrous, two-headed hound that resembles a cross between a hyena and a wolf. It has matted fur, yellow eyes, and a foul stench. Each head has its own mind and personality, but they share a common hatred for all living things. A death dog can communicate with other death dogs, as well as understand Undercommon and Abyssal languages .
COMBAT
A death dog is distinguished by its penetrating double bark, which can strike fear into the hearts of its prey. Death dogs hunt in large packs, using their two heads to coordinate attacks and to watch out for danger. They can also see in the dark up to 120 feet. A death dog’s most feared weapon is its bite, which carries a deadly disease that causes the victim’s flesh to rot off the bone. The disease can only be cured by magic, and if left untreated, it can kill the victim in a matter of days . A death dog also has advantage on saving throws against being blinded, charmed, deafened, frightened, stunned, or knocked unconscious, thanks to its two-headed nature.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
A death dog can be found in various environments, such as plains, deserts, dark forests, abandoned ruins, and the Underdark . It is a solitary creature that avoids other death dogs unless it needs to mate or form a temporary pack for hunting. A death dog is loyal to no one but itself, and will betray or devour any ally that proves to be weak or useless. A death dog is sometimes used by evil beings, such as necromancers, demon lords, or tyrants, as a guard, tracker, spy, or assassin . A death dog takes pride in spreading its disease and creating undead from its victims.
ECOLOGY
A death dog is a carnivore that feeds on humanoid flesh and other meat. It has no natural predators, except for adventurers and other powerful creatures that seek to destroy it. A death dog has a lifespan of about 20 years, and reaches maturity at 2 years old. A female death dog can give birth to a litter of 2 to 6 pups once a year. A death dog pup has only one head at birth, but grows another one within a month. A death dog pup is fully grown and ready to hunt on its own at 6 months old. A death dog has no role in the natural balance of the ecosystem, and is considered a menace by most civilized races.