Dnd 5e Bulette Tactics – build challenging encounters against a Bulette

Bestiary, D&D 5th edition, DM Tips, monster tactics

by Angry Golem Games

How to build challenging encounters against a Bulette

A bulette is a fearsome beast that can burrow through the ground and leap out of nowhere to attack its prey. It is also known as a landshark, due to its shark-like appearance and appetite. In this article, we will explore how to create challenging encounters with a bulette, from the perspective of the bulette itself.

Statistics of the Bulette

The first thing to consider when designing an encounter with a bulette is its statistics. A bulette is a large monstrosity with a challenge rating of 5, which means it can pose a moderate threat to a party of four adventurers of level 5. A bulette has the following attributes:

  • Armor Class: 17 (natural armor)
  • Hit Points: 94 (9d10 + 45)
  • Speed: 40 ft., burrow 40 ft.
  • Strength: 19 (+4)
  • Dexterity: 11 (+0)
  • Constitution: 21 (+5)
  • Intelligence: 2 (-4)
  • Wisdom: 10 (+0)
  • Charisma: 5 (-3)
  • Skills: Perception +6
  • Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Tremorsense 60 ft., Passive Perception 16
  • Languages: –
  • Proficiency Bonus: +3

As you can see, a bulette is very strong and tough, but not very smart or charismatic. It relies on its senses of darkvision and tremorsense to detect its prey, and has a high perception skill to notice any disturbances in the ground. A bulette’s natural armor makes it hard to hit, and its high hit points make it resilient to damage.

Special Abilities of the Bulette

A bulette has two special abilities that make it a formidable foe: Standing Leap and Deadly Leap.

Standing Leap. The bulette’s long jump is up to 30 feet and its high jump is up to 15 feet, with or without a running start. This ability allows the bulette to cover large distances quickly and surprise its enemies with sudden attacks.

Deadly Leap. If the bulette jumps at least 15 feet as part of its movement, it can then use this action to land on its feet in a space that contains one or more other creatures. Each of those creatures must succeed on a DC 16 Strength or Dexterity saving throw (target’s choice) or be knocked prone and take 14 (3d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage plus 14 (3d6 + 4) slashing damage. On a successful save, the creature takes only half the damage, isn’t knocked prone, and is pushed 5 feet out of the bulette’s space into an unoccupied space of the creature’s choice. If no unoccupied space is within range, the creature instead falls prone in the bulette’s space. This ability allows the bulette to deal massive damage to multiple targets at once, and potentially knock them prone or push them away.

A bulette also has one regular action: Bite.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 30 (4d12 + 4) piercing damage. This is the bulette’s primary attack, which can inflict serious wounds on a single target.

Description of the Bulette

A bulette is a large creature that resembles a cross between an armadillo and a shark. It has a thick, armored hide that ranges from dark gray to brown, with lighter patches on its belly and tail. Its head is shaped like a shark’s, with a pointed snout and rows of razor-sharp teeth. Its eyes are small and black, and its ears are barely visible under its armor. Its front legs are powerful and clawed, while its hind legs are shorter and sturdier. Its tail is long and tapered, and helps it balance when it leaps.

A bulette is a solitary predator that hunts by burrowing through the ground and sensing vibrations from above. It prefers to eat fresh meat, but will also scavenge carrion if hungry enough. It has no natural enemies, except for other bulettes during mating season. A male bulette’s mating ritual involves killing deer and boars, which are placed in a wide circle. He then digs a shallow pit in the middle of the circle, and lines it with the bones of the animals he killed. He then waits for a female bulette to come by and inspect his offering. If she likes what she sees, she will join him in the pit and mate with him.

A bulette is not very intelligent, but it is cunning and ruthless. It will attack anything that moves, unless it is clearly outmatched or outnumbered. It will not hesitate to flee if it is wounded or threatened by a more powerful creature. It has no sense of loyalty or compassion, and will not spare its own kind if they cross its territory. A bulette is a savage and relentless killer, and should be treated as such.

Possible Tactics in Different Terrains

A bulette can adapt to different terrains, depending on its hunting preferences and environmental factors. Here are some possible tactics that a bulette might use in different terrains:

  • Grassland: A bulette might burrow under the grass and wait for a herd of animals or travelers to pass by. It will then leap out of the ground and attack the nearest target, using its Deadly Leap to hit as many as possible. It will then bite the most wounded or prone target, and drag it back into its burrow to feed. If it is challenged by other predators or hunters, it will fight back fiercely, using its Standing Leap to evade attacks or close the distance.
  • Forest: A bulette might roam through the forest, looking for prey among the trees and bushes. It will use its darkvision and tremorsense to spot any movement, and then charge at it with its Bite. It will also use its Standing Leap to jump over obstacles or ambush prey from above. It will avoid areas with thick roots or rocks that might hinder its burrowing ability, and seek out softer soil or clearings. If it encounters a large group of enemies, it will try to isolate one or two targets with its Deadly Leap, and then retreat into the ground if outnumbered.
  • Mountain: A bulette might climb up the slopes of a mountain, looking for caves or ledges where it can rest and hide. It will use its claws to dig through the rock, creating tunnels and chambers where it can store its food and bones. It will hunt for mountain goats, bears, or other creatures that live in high altitudes, using its Bite and Standing Leap to catch them off guard. It will also use its Deadly Leap to knock enemies off cliffs or ledges, sending them plummeting to their deaths. It will avoid areas with snow or ice that might make it slip or freeze, and seek out warmer or dryer spots.
  • Desert: A bulette might wander through the desert, looking for oases or settlements where it can find water and food. It will use its tremorsense to detect any vibrations in the sand, and then burst out of the ground to attack them with its Bite. It will also use its Standing Leap to jump over dunes or rocks, or to surprise prey from behind. It will use its Deadly Leap to create sandstorms or dust clouds that can blind or choke its enemies. It will avoid areas with cacti or thorns that might pierce its armor, and seek out shade or moisture.

Special Tactics

A bulette might also use some special tactics that are not related to its terrain, but rather to its personality or situation. Here are some examples of special tactics that a bulette might use:

  • Feign Death: A bulette might pretend to be dead when it is wounded or outnumbered, hoping that its enemies will lower their guard or leave it alone. It will then spring back to life when they least expect it, using its Bite or Deadly Leap to catch them off guard.
  • Play Dead: A bulette might play dead when it encounters a more powerful creature that it cannot defeat, such as a dragon or a giant. It will then wait for the creature to leave or lose interest, and then sneak away when it is safe.
  • Bait and Switch: A bulette might lure prey into a trap by making noise or leaving a trail of blood or bones. It will then hide in a nearby burrow or behind an obstacle, and wait for the prey to come closer. It will then ambush them with its Bite or Deadly Leap, taking them by surprise.
  • Team Up: A bulette might team up with another bulette during mating season, forming a temporary alliance to hunt together. They will coordinate their attacks, using their Bite and Deadly Leap to overwhelm their prey. They will then share their food and mate with each other.

Example of Encounters with the Bulette

Here are some examples of how you can create encounters with a bulette for your adventurers:

  • The Landshark’s Lair: The adventurers are hired by a farmer who claims that his livestock have been disappearing at night. He suspects that a landshark (a bulette) is responsible, and asks the adventurers to track it down and kill it. The adventurers follow the trail of blood and bones to a nearby hill, where they find a large hole in the ground. They enter the hole, hoping to find the landshark’s lair, but instead they find themselves in a maze of tunnels and chambers filled with bones and
  • rotting flesh. They realize that they have entered the landshark’s lair, and that it might be lurking somewhere in the dark. They must find a way out before the landshark finds them, or fight it in its own territory.
  • The Leap of Death: The adventurers are traveling through a grassland, when they hear a loud roar from behind them. They turn around and see a huge creature leaping out of the ground, heading straight for them. It is a bulette, and it is hungry. The adventurers must dodge or withstand its Deadly Leap, and then fight it in an open field, where it can use its Standing Leap to chase them or escape.
  • The Mountain’s Fury: The adventurers are climbing up a mountain, when they notice a large cave entrance on the side of the slope. They decide to explore it, hoping to find some treasure or shelter. They enter the cave, and find a large chamber with a pile of bones and a pool of water. They also find a bulette, resting on the bones and guarding its territory. The bulette is angry at the intruders, and attacks them with its Bite and Standing Leap. The adventurers must fight it in a confined space, where it can use its Deadly Leap to knock them off the ledge or into the water.
  • The Desert Storm: The adventurers are crossing a desert, when they spot an oasis in the distance. They decide to head for it, hoping to find some water and shade. They reach the oasis, and find a small pond surrounded by palm trees and flowers. They also find a bulette, hiding under the sand and waiting for prey. The bulette senses their vibrations, and bursts out of the ground to attack them with its Bite and Standing Leap. The adventurers must fight it in a harsh environment, where it can use its Deadly Leap to create sandstorms or dust clouds that can blind or choke them.

General Suggestions

Here are some general suggestions on how to make encounters with a bulette more challenging and interesting:

  • Use Terrain Features: You can use terrain features to create obstacles or opportunities for the bulette and the adventurers. For example, you can have rocks, trees, buildings, or other structures that can block or provide cover for either side. You can also have pits, cliffs, rivers, or other hazards that can pose a threat or an advantage for either side.
  • Use Environmental Effects: You can use environmental effects to create challenges or benefits for the bulette and the adventurers. For example, you can have weather conditions such as rain, snow, fog, or wind that can affect visibility or movement for either side. You can also have natural phenomena such as earthquakes, landslides, avalanches, or floods that can cause damage or disruption for either side.
  • Use Other Creatures: You can use other creatures to create allies or enemies for the bulette and the adventurers. For example, you can have animals or monsters that live in the same area as the bulette, and might join or interfere with the fight. You can also have NPCs or factions that have a stake in the outcome of the encounter, and might help or hinder either side.

Conclusions

A bulette is a formidable foe that can challenge any group of adventurers with its strength, toughness, and special abilities. It is also a versatile creature that can adapt to different terrains and situations. By using its statistics, abilities, description, tactics, and special tactics as guidelines, you can create exciting and memorable encounters with a bulette for your players.