By Alan McCoy from Dungeons & Dragons: Fundamentals
How to build challenging
encounters against a Chimera
Note: This has been prepared utilizing only the 5E Core Rules. The Chimera can be found in the Monster Manual page 39.
Note: While this article will focus on the Classic Chimera as presented in ancient Greek and Roman Mythology, there is no reason that the concept cannot be extended to include many of the other composite creatures of myth and legend.
In the last age, when Demon Lords walked the world, one such was called Demogorgon. A Prince of Darkness possessed of unbelievable power, it is said that Demogorgon was unimpressed by and wished to distort the work of the Gods and began to transform, meld and alter creatures of nature into monstrous forms. Soon many types of multi-headed monstrosities had come into being, thankfully in the eons that have passed since that age, most of these unnatural creatures have been driven extinct or have died out on their own, their twisted natures making them unable to reproduce.
The Chimera: Namesake and by far the most numerous of this type of creature, the classic Chimera is a large creature that has the hindquarters of a Goat, the forequarters of a lion and the wings of a dragon, along with the heads of all three creatures.
Each head is contributing to the personality of the Chimera, for instance, the dragon head drives it to raid, plunder and horde wealth, the lion head makes it extremely territorial and the goat head makes it stubborn beyond belief, compelling it to fight to the death.
These creatures were created by the action of a demon lord, they are steeped in evil and are compelled to do harm to the world and the creatures around them. Perfect example: they kill or harm creatures weaker than themselves for pleasure as often as, or even more often than they do for food. They derive pleasure and amusement from the fear and suffering of weaker creatures, and they have left creatures wounded and incapable of survival; moving off just far enough to enjoy the screams of panic and pain.
It may be possible to provide an offering of foodstuffs and treasure to a Chimera and thus avoid being molested by the creature.
Strong villains have been able to lure Chimera to their service by offering it massive amounts of food and treasure.
While these creatures are almost always solitary, they do breed, and will lay eggs like a dragon, which they then abandon. When eggs are laid, it usually in a remote area, where the young have a chance to survive and grow strong.
Step 1) Let’s Review what we know about the Chimera
The Chimera a large monstrosity with the ability to run and fly.
The Chimera is exceptionally strong and tough, it is also very stubborn. It’s intelligence is so low as to be almost animal, but the demonic adjustment to the brain has given it enough for rudimentary reasoning. It can understand Draconic, but cannot speak.
The Chimera can move on land 30-feet per round, they can also fly 60-feet per round.
The Chimera is naturally proficient in the PERCEPTION Skill.
The Chimera has Darkvision 60-foot and a Passive Perception of 18.
For Attacks, the Chimera can Bite, use its Horns and its Claws in a single Round. When available it can use its breath weapon instead of the bite or horn attacks.
Step 2) Determine the probable Strategy.
For a creature of limited mental ability, the Chimera has several strategic goals. First, control and defend its territory, second acquire treasure, third cause pain and suffering and finally dominate anyone nearby.
Step 3) Determine Tactics
Chimera are daylight hunters, while they do have Darkvision, the range is insufficient for them to identify targets while on the wing. Additionally, the use of a fire-based breath weapon would have a spoiling effect on its own as well as the enemies Darkvision.
A Chimera will swoop down from out of the Sun and make a pass with its Breath Weapon. Using the Sun will allow the Chimera to make a Stealth Check vs Passive Perception. Those failing or surprised by the initial attack would have disadvantage on the saving throw vs initial breath weapon.
The Chimera will wait for its breath weapon to recharge and then make another pass. Its desired result is not only to cause injury, but also to scatter the victims so that it can land, kill, and kick off and move on to another.
While making breath weapon passes, the Chimera will stay out of normal melee range, thus avoiding attacks of opportunity.
Grapple isn’t part of the Chimera’s normal method, but it will do so if it can dangle a helpless but conscious victim so that it can hear its screams and cause additional terror in others.
Once it lands, the Chimera Multi-Attack enables it to use three attacks each round, Bite, Horn and Claws. The Chimera prefers to attack isolated prey and can disengage to get some distance should too many close on it.
A trick that Chimera love is to attack in a place that holds natural dangers, such as a giant ant bed, or in the bottom of avalanche prone canyon. Multiply the fear.
Once committed to the fight, the Chimera will not stop until either it or the enemy is dead.
Step 4) DM Tips and Observations
The Breath Weapon attack should be made a BONUS ACTION, this enables the creature to make a flight-based pass while dashing.
I can easily see Chimera that have other than Red Dragon used in their construction. Any of the Chromatics could be used, with Acid, Cold, Electricity, Poison Gas used instead of limiting the creature to fire only. In additional, I would grand Damage Resistance to the type of Damage they inflict.
Based on the speed at which the Chimera Flies, I would allow it to close the throat and make a 60-foot Line instead of a 15-foot Cone.
As Always AC is too low: For a CR 6 Creature – 18 looks about right.