Shapechanger. The doppelganger can use its action to polymorph into a Small or Medium humanoid it has seen, or back into its true form. Its statistics, other than its size, are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn't transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.
Ambusher. In the first round of a combat, the doppelganger has advantage on attack rolls against any creature it has surprised.
Surprise Attack. If the doppelganger surprises a creature and hits it with an attack during the first round of combat, the target takes an extra 10 (3d6) damage from the attack.
Actions
Multiattack. The doppelganger makes two melee attacks.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
Read Thoughts. The doppelganger magically reads the surface thoughts of one creature within 60 ft. of it. The effect can penetrate barriers, but 3 ft. of wood or dirt, 2 ft. of stone, 2 inches of metal, or a thin sheet of lead blocks it. While the target is in range, the doppelganger can continue reading its thoughts, as long as the doppelganger's concentration isn't broken (as if concentrating on a spell). While reading the target's mind, the doppelganger has advantage on Wisdom (Insight) and Charisma (Deception, Intimidation, and Persuasion) checks against the target.
How doppelgangers fight
A doppelganger is a CR 3 shapechanger with 52 hit points and AC 14. As an action it can turn into any Small or Medium humanoid it has seen, or back, keeping its statistics. It can also read the surface thoughts of one creature within 60 feet as long as it concentrates, which gives it advantage on Insight, Deception, Intimidation and Persuasion checks against that creature.
In a fight it slams twice a turn for 1d6 + 4 each. The first round is where it’s dangerous: it has advantage on attacks against any creature it surprised, and a hit on a surprised creature deals an extra 3d6. It’s immune to being charmed.
Running a doppelganger at the table
Replace someone the party trusts. A quest giver, a guard captain or a friendly innkeeper. Read their thoughts first so the impersonation holds up.
Strike from a disguise. The first round of a surprise attack is its best moment. A ‘friend’ who attacks in the middle of a conversation gets advantage and 3d6 extra damage.
Use Read Thoughts socially. Knowing what a character is thinking makes it a perfect liar. Describe it answering questions before they’re asked.
Run when unmasked. It isn’t a strong fighter. Once exposed, it flees and takes another face.
Common questions
How do you detect a doppelganger?
True Seeing or any truesight shows a shapechanger’s true form. Otherwise, it’s about behavior: a Wisdom (Insight) check against its Deception, questions only the real person could answer, and noticing when it slips. Detect Thoughts can catch it thinking as itself.
Does Hold Person work on a doppelganger?
No. It’s a monstrosity (shapechanger), not a humanoid, even while it looks like one. Hold Monster works.
Can a doppelganger copy class features or spells?
No. Its statistics stay the same in every form; it only copies appearance. It can’t cast the real person’s spells or match their skill in a fight.
How do you block Read Thoughts?
3 feet of wood or dirt, 2 feet of stone, 2 inches of metal or a thin sheet of lead blocks it. A Ring of Mind Shielding makes your thoughts unreadable.
How hard is a doppelganger fight?
CR 3, worth 700 XP. For four characters, that’s Deadly at 1st level, Hard at 2nd, Medium at 3rd and Easy at 4th by the Dungeon Master’s Guide’s encounter math.
Can I play a doppelganger?
Not as such, but the changeling, a humanoid shapechanger in the builder from Eberron and Monsters of the Multiverse, plays a similar role.
CR 1. A cheaper surprise-attack specialist, adding 2d6 when it catches you unaware.
How many doppelgangers for a fight?
A doppelganger is worth 700 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many doppelgangers fit each difficulty for a party of four characters of the same level. A dash means even one would be over the budget.
Party level
Low
Moderate
High
2nd
—
—
1
3rd
—
1
2
4th
1
2
2
5th
2
4
6
6th
3
5
8
7th
4
7
9
8th
5
9
12
9th
7
11
12+
10th
9
12+
12+
11th
10
12+
12+
12th
12
12+
12+
Budgets add up every monster’s XP, so you can swap some for other creatures of the same total. Try other party sizes and mixes in the encounter calculator.
How the doppelganger compares at CR 3
Against the 21 other challenge 3 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the doppelganger has more hit points than 3 of them, which makes it one of the frailest at its CR. See every CR 3 monster.
Statistic
Doppelganger
CR 3 average
Armor Class
14
14.1
Hit points
52
60
Best attack bonus
+6
+5
Doppelganger 2024 stat block
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the doppelganger, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
New in its stat block: Unsettling Visage and Shape-Shift.
Gone from it: Shapechanger, Ambusher and Surprise Attack.
Multiattack. The doppelganger makes two Slam attacks and uses Unsettling Visage if available.
Slam. Melee Attack Roll: +6 (with Advantage during the first round of each combat), reach 5 ft. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) Bludgeoning damage.
Read Thoughts. The doppelganger casts Detect Thoughts, requiring no spell components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 12).
Unsettling Visage (Recharge 6). Wisdom Saving Throw: DC 12, each creature in a 15-foot Emanation originating from the doppelganger that can see the doppelganger. Failure: The target has the Frightened condition and repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. After 1 minute, it succeeds automatically.
Bonus actions
Shape-Shift. The doppelganger shape-shifts into a Medium or Small Humanoid, or it returns to its true form. Its game statistics, other than its size, are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed.
