Large fiend (devil), lawful evil
Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 178 (17d10 + 85)
Speed 20 ft., fly 60 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +4
Proficiency Bonus +7 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 (+6) | 17 (+3) | 21 (+5) | 12 (+1) | 16 (+3) | 17 (+3) |
Saving Throws Str +10, Dex +7, Wis +7, Cha +7
Damage Resistances cold; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks not made with silvered weapons
Damage Immunities fire, poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages Infernal, telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge 11 (7200 XP)
Devil’s Sight. Magical darkness doesn’t impede the devil’s darkvision.
Magic Resistance. The devil has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The devil makes three melee attacks: two with its fork and one with its tail. It can use Hurl Flame in place of any melee attack.
- Fork. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) piercing damage.
- Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d8 + 6) piercing damage. If the target is a creature other than an undead or a construct, it must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or lose 10 (3d6) hit points at the start of each of its turns due to an infernal wound. Each time the devil hits the wounded target with this attack, the damage dealt by the wound increases by 10 (3d6). Any creature can take an action to stanch the wound with a successful DC 12 Wisdom (Medicine) check. The wound also closes if the target receives magical healing.
- Hurl Flame. Ranged Spell Attack: +7 to hit, range 150 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (4d6) fire damage. If the target is a flammable object that isn’t being worn or carried, it also catches fire.
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 horned devil, also known as a malebranche, is a fearsome creature that dwells in the Nine Hells of Baator. It stands about 12 feet tall and has a muscular body covered with dull red or brown scales. Its head is crowned with a pair of large horns that curve backward, and its eyes glow with a sinister red light. Its arms end in clawed hands with hooked fingers, and its legs are hoofed and bent backward like those of a goat. Its most distinctive feature is its long, barbed tail, which it can use to inflict terrible wounds on its enemies. A horned devil has a pair of leathery wings that allow it to fly with great speed and agility. A horned devil is a greater devil, ranking above the lesser devils in the infernal hierarchy.
COMBAT
A horned devil is a formidable opponent in combat, using its natural weapons and innate magic to strike fear and pain into its foes. It prefers to fight from a distance, hurling balls of flame that can ignite flammable objects or creatures. If forced into melee, it lashes out with its fork or tail, piercing armor and flesh with ease. A horned devil’s tail can cause an infernal wound that bleeds profusely and resists healing, unless the victim receives magical aid or someone staunches the wound with a medical skill. A horned devil is resistant to cold and most physical attacks, unless they are made with silvered or magical weapons. It is immune to fire and poison, and can see through magical darkness. It also has a high degree of magic resistance, making it difficult to affect with spells or other magical effects.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
A horned devil serves as a soldier, enforcer, or commander in the armies of the archdevils, who rule over the nine layers of Baator. It is loyal to its superiors, but also ambitious and cunning, seeking to advance its status and power by any means necessary. It often competes with other horned devils or higher-ranking devils for favor and recognition. A horned devil is cruel and sadistic, enjoying the suffering of others, especially mortals. It delights in tempting, corrupting, or torturing souls that fall into its clutches.
A horned devil is an elite defense force in Baator, forming terrifying armies up to 2,000 strong. Only pit fiends may lead these hideous fighting forces into battle. Pit fiends and gelugons prize horned devils as personal guardians and try to obtain them as personal retainers. The Dark Eight have 106 horned devils in their retinue.
Horned devil armies usually form only in the lowest layers of Baator. In the upper layers, individual horned devils serve as generals to vast armies of lesser baatezu. This duty is desirable for its rapid advancement, second only to guardian duty among the Dark Eight.
With several successful campaigns to their credit, heroic horned devils receive promotions to the upper layer of Baator, where they command vast, gruesome legions of baatezu. From there, distinguished action leads to promotion to gelugons, the ruthless inhabitants of the frigid layer of Cania.
Although powerful and cunning, the horned devils display treachery in their ranks least often of all baatezu, due to their militaristic nature. Their loyalty makes them an unusual asset. It is said that the 106 horned devils that guard the Dark Eight are completely loyal and would give their lives in defense of the council, behavior nearly unheard of in Baator. Whether this is due to genuine loyalty or fear of the pit fiends is unknown, but seldom in the history of the Dark Eight has a horned devil guardian displayed traitorous behavior.
ECOLOGY
A horned devil is a fiend, a creature of pure evil that exists to spread misery and destruction. It does not need to eat, drink, or sleep, but it can consume the flesh and souls of its victims for pleasure. A horned devil does not reproduce naturally, but it can create more of its kind by transforming lesser devils or mortal souls into new horned devils. This process requires a ritual involving blood, fire, and pain, and results in a loyal but resentful offspring. A horned devil has no natural predators or allies, except for those it serves or commands. It views all other creatures as potential enemies or prey.