Medusa
Monster Manual (2025) p. 205
- Size
- Medium
- Type
- monstrosity
- Alignment
- lawful evil
- AC
- 15
- Initiative
- 6
- Hit Points
- 127 (17d8+51)
- Speed
- walk 30 ft.
- Saving Throws
- Wis +4
- Skills
- Deception +5, Stealth +6, Perception +4
- Senses
- darkvision 150 ft.
- Passive Perception
- 14
- Languages
- Common plus one other language
- Challenge
- 6
- Environment
- desert
Traits
Proficiency Bonus
+3
Treasure
Any: The monster's treasure hoard can include monetary treasure and any kinds of magic items.
Actions
Multiattack
The medusa makes two Claw attacks and one Snake Hair attack, or it makes three Poison Ray attacks.
Claw
Melee Attack Roll: +6, reach 5 ft. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) Slashing damage.
Snake Hair
Melee Attack Roll: +6, reach 5 ft. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) Piercing damage plus 14 (4d6) Poison damage.
Poison Ray
Ranged Attack Roll: +5, range 150 ft. Hit: 11 (2d8 + 2) Poison damage.
Petrifying Gaze (Recharge 5-6) (Bonus Action)
Constitution Saving Throw: DC 13, each creature in a 30-foot Cone. If the medusa sees its reflection in the Cone, the medusa must make this save. First Failure: The target has the Restrained condition and repeats the save at the end of its next turn if it is still Restrained, ending the effect on itself on a success. Second Failure: The target has the Petrified condition instead of the Restrained condition.
recharge
D5
Other data
description
With their hair of living snakes and their infamous petrifying gazes, medusas are hubristic creatures that inhabit sites of fallen glory. They often dwell beyond the fringes of civilization or travel in disguise, leaving trails of petrified victims. Some medusas dominate groups of monsters or criminals, controlling them with threats of petrified doom, while others recruit servants that are immune to being petrified, such as gargoyles and gorgons. Medusas are born or created through preternatural circumstances. Roll on or choose a result from the Medusa Fates table to inspire what led to a medusa's creation.
Medusa Fates: 1d6 The Medusa Was...
| 1 | Born a medusa and lives unaware of whatever curse or circumstances afflicted its ancestor. |
| 2 | Created by a god and tasked with guarding a treasure or secret. |
| 3 | A cultist who made a fiendish bargain and enjoyed rewards that have since faded. |
| 4 | An explorer transformed and compelled to defend a cursed ruin. |
| 5 | A vain noble whose magical attempt to gain eternal beauty backfired. |
| 6 | The victim of a bite from a magical serpent or reptilian god in disguise. |