Giant Elk, understands Common, Elvish, and Sylvan but can't speak them
Traits
Charge. If the elk moves at least 20 ft. straight toward a target and then hits it with a ram attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 7 (2d6) damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Actions
Ram. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
Hooves. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one prone creature. Hit: 22 (4d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
How many giant elks for a fight?
A giant elk is worth 450 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many giant elks 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
1
3rd
1
2
3
4th
2
3
4
5th
4
6
9
6th
5
8
12
7th
6
11
12+
8th
8
12+
12+
9th
11
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 giant elk compares at CR 2
Against the 42 other challenge 2 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the giant elk has more hit points than 17 of them, which makes it a little frailer than most at its CR. See every CR 2 monster.
Statistic
Giant Elk
CR 2 average
Armor Class
14
12.9
Hit points
42
47
Best attack bonus
+6
+5
Giant Elk 2024 stat block
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the giant elk, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
Its creature type changed from beast to celestial.
Ability scores: DEX 16 → 18.
Gone from it: Charge and Hooves.
Armor Class
14
Hit Points
42 (5d12 + 10)
Speed
60 ft.
Challenge
2 (450 XP)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
19 (+4)
18 (+4)
14 (+2)
7 (-2)
14 (+2)
10 (+0)
Damage resistances
necrotic, radiant
Senses
darkvision 90 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages
Celestial; understands Common, Elvish, and Sylvan but can’t speak them
Actions
Ram. Melee Attack Roll: +6, reach 10 ft. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) Bludgeoning damage plus 5 (2d4) Radiant damage. If the target is a Huge or smaller creature and the elk moved 20+ feet straight toward it immediately before the hit, the target takes an extra 5 (2d4) Bludgeoning damage and has the Prone condition.
