Brave. The gladiator has advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
Brute. A melee weapon deals one extra die of its damage when the gladiator hits with it (included in the attack).
Actions
Multiattack. The gladiator makes three melee attacks or two ranged attacks.
Spear. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft. and range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) piercing damage, or 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack.
Shield Bash. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 9 (2d4 + 4) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Reactions
Parry. The gladiator adds 3 to its AC against one melee attack that would hit it. To do so, the gladiator must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.
How many gladiators for a fight?
A gladiator is worth 1,800 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many gladiators 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
4th
—
—
1
5th
1
1
2
6th
1
2
3
7th
1
2
3
8th
2
3
4
9th
2
4
5
10th
3
5
6
11th
4
6
9
12th
4
8
10
13th
5
9
12
14th
6
10
12+
15th
7
12
12+
16th
8
12+
12+
17th
10
12+
12+
18th
11
12+
12+
19th
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 gladiator compares at CR 5
Against the 26 other challenge 5 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the gladiator has more hit points than 16 of them, which makes it tougher than most at its CR. See every CR 5 monster.
Statistic
Gladiator
CR 5 average
Armor Class
16
14.5
Hit points
112
102
Best attack bonus
+7
+7
Gladiator 2024 stat block
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the gladiator, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
Gone from it: Brave and Brute.
Armor Class
16 (studded leather, shield)
Hit Points
112 (15d8 + 45)
Speed
30 ft.
Challenge
5 (1,800 XP)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
18 (+4)
15 (+2)
16 (+3)
10 (+0)
12 (+1)
15 (+2)
Senses
passive Perception 11
Languages
Common
Gear
Shield, Spears (3), Studded Leather Armor
Actions
Multiattack. The gladiator makes three Spear attacks. It can replace one attack with a use of Shield Bash.
Spear. Melee or Ranged Attack Roll: +7, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) Piercing damage.
Shield Bash. Strength Saving Throw: DC 15, one creature within 5 feet that the gladiator can see. Failure: 9 (2d4 + 4) Bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it has the Prone condition.
Reactions
Parry. Trigger: The gladiator is hit by a melee attack roll while holding a weapon. Response: The gladiator adds 3 to its AC against that attack, possibly causing it to miss.
