Large beast (giant animal), unaligned
Armor Class 11
Hit Points 52 (8d10+8)
Speed 10 ft., swim 60 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +4 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 (+3) | 13 (+1) | 13 (+1) | 4 (-3) | 10 (+0) | 4 (-3) |
Skills Perception +4, Stealth +5
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Hold Breath. While out of water, the octopus can hold its breath for 1 hour.
Underwater Camouflage. The octopus has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made while underwater.
Water Breathing. The octopus can breathe only underwater.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack (suggested). The giant octopus makes seven attacks, six with its tentacles and one with its beak.
- Beak (suggested). Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 0 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing/slashing damage. The giant octopus can use its beak attack only against a target restrained by one of its tentacles.
- Tentacles. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it is grappled (escape DC 16). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the octopus can’t use its tentacles on another target.
- Tentacles (suggested). Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Large or smaller creature, it is grappled (escape DC 13, +1 for each tentacle). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained and suffer 8 (2d4+3) bludgeoning damage for constriction.
- Ink Cloud (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). A 20-foot-radius cloud of ink extends all around the octopus if it is underwater. The area is heavily obscured for 1 minute, although a significant current can disperse the ink. After releasing the ink, the octopus can use the Dash action as a bonus action.
DESCRIPTION
The Giant Octopus is a massive aquatic beast that resembles a normal octopus, but with a much larger body and longer tentacles. It can grow up to 20 feet in length and weigh up to 1,600 pounds. Its skin is usually brown, gray, or green, and it can change its color and texture to blend in with its surroundings. It has eight powerful tentacles, each ending in a suction cup that can grasp and manipulate objects. It also has a sharp beak that can deliver a painful bite. The Giant Octopus has a pair of large eyes that can see well in the dark, and a keen sense of smell and taste that helps it locate prey. It is an intelligent creature, capable of learning and solving problems.
The Giant Octopus is also known as the “cuttlefish” by ocean-going sailors and fishermen, who fear its malicious and cunning attacks on ships. It can sink smaller craft and steal crew members from the larger ships. It can also camouflage itself as seaweed or rocks, or use a cloud of ink to obscure its escape or confuse its attackers.
COMBAT
The Giant Octopus is a formidable opponent in combat, especially underwater. It can use its tentacles to grapple and squeeze its enemies, or to fling them away. It can also bite with its beak if a victim is dragged close enough. The Giant Octopus is not afraid to fight larger creatures, such as sharks or whales, and will defend its territory fiercely. It can also use its camouflage ability to ambush unsuspecting prey or foes.
An octopus will readily attack swimmers or small vessels in order to eat the crew. Several have been known to cooperate in order to overwhelm a larger ship, and any craft seized by these monsters loses way and comes to a full stop in three turns.
A giant octopus generally attacks with six of its eight tentacles, using two to anchor itself. Any large target can be struck by only one tentacle at a time.
A tentacle can be severed by inflicting 8 points of damage. (These hit points are in addition to the base octopus’ hit points).
Once three or more tentacles are severed, it is probable that the octopus will retreat, ejecting a cloud of black ink . This ink cloud completely obscures the vision of any creature within it. The wounded octopus then camouflages itself in its lair or a nearby hiding place. It takes the monster two to three months to grow back severed tentacles.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
The Giant Octopus lives in the depths of the ocean, preferring warm or temperate waters. It can be found in coral reefs, underwater caves, shipwrecks, or sunken ruins. It is a solitary creature, only seeking out others of its kind for mating purposes. The Giant Octopus is territorial and will mark its lair with objects it collects from the sea floor or from its victims. It is also curious and playful, sometimes interacting with other intelligent creatures or exploring new areas.
While octopi cooperate to attack a food source, they live a solitary existence, preferring to shelter in warm water of medial to shallow depth. Lairs are made in wrecked ships and undersea caves; any treasure found there is just an incidental leftover from previous meals.
Consummate hunters, these monsters have great patience and cover a very small area, waiting for their food to come to them. Mating season comes every spring. Like most marine animals, octopi leave their eggs in a reef to fend for themselves.
ECOLOGY
The Giant Octopus is an omnivorous creature, feeding on fish, crustaceans, mollusks, seaweed, and sometimes even larger animals. It can also scavenge on carrion or garbage. The Giant Octopus has few natural predators, except for some whales or sea monsters. It is sometimes hunted by humans for its meat, skin, or ink.
When prey is scarce, or if it has been wounded, an octopus turns to scavenging, eating everything from small crustaceans to seaweeds. Survival is paramount with this monster. It prefers to hunt at night, and often a man missing during the late night watch has been grabbed by a giant octopus, pulled quickly over the side, and eaten.
Giant octopi’s leathery hide is tough and waterproof, and it is worked into fine rain ponchos by sailors lucky enough to catch and kill one. Another by-product of these monsters is their ink — they are most often hunted for this commodity. Giant octopus ink can be used to pen magical scrolls.