Poltergeist
Monster Manual (2025) p. 246
- Size
- Small
- Type
- undead
- Alignment
- chaotic neutral
- AC
- 12
- Initiative
- 2
- Hit Points
- 22 (5d8)
- Speed
- walk 5 ft., fly 50 ft. (hover)
- Resistances
- acid, bludgeoning, cold, fire, lightning, piercing, slashing, thunder
- Immunities
- necrotic, poison
- Condition Immunities
- charmed, exhaustion, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained, unconscious
- Senses
- darkvision 60 ft.
- Passive Perception
- 10
- Languages
- Common plus one other language
- Challenge
- 2
- Environment
- underdark, urban
Traits
Proficiency Bonus
+2
Treasure
Any: The monster's treasure hoard can include monetary treasure and any kinds of magic items.
Size
Small, Medium
Incorporeal Movement
The poltergeist can move through other creatures and objects as if they were Difficult Terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) Force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.
Actions
Multiattack
The poltergeist makes one Object Slam attack and uses Telekinetic Thrust.
Object Slam
Melee or Ranged Attack Roll: +4, reach 5 ft. or range 30 ft. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) Bludgeoning damage.
Telekinetic Thrust
Strength Saving Throw: DC 12, one creature the poltergeist can see within 30 feet. Failure: 9 (2d6 + 2) Force damage, and the target is pushed up to 30 feet straight away from the poltergeist.
Vanish (Bonus Action)
The poltergeist gives itself the Invisible condition or ends that condition on itself.
Other data
description
Poltergeists are spirits that confuse and torment the living. While typically not visible, they sometimes appear as faded images of whoever they were in life. Some poltergeists don't realize they're dead and go through the motions of their past lives. Others are malicious beings or embodiments of fractured psyches that sow discord where they haunt. Poltergeists telekinetically move objects in the places they lurk. Roll on or choose a result from the Poltergeist Activities table to inspire how a poltergeist menaces the living.
Poltergeist Activities:
| 1d8 | To Torment the Living, the Poltergeist... |
|---|---|
| 1 | Keeps returning a discarded item. |
| 2 | Leaves footprints on vertical surfaces. |
| 3 | Makes noises like someone trapped in a wall. |
| 4 | Organizes a pack's contents across the floor. |
| 5 | Playfully puppets a corpse or doll. |
| 6 | Removes bedding while someone sleeps. |
| 7 | Sticks knives or weapons in the ceiling. |
| 8 | Uncannily stacks books, furniture, or utensils. |