Echolocation. The whale can't use its blindsight while deafened.
Hold Breath. The whale can hold its breath for 30 minutes
Keen Hearing. The whale has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (5d6 + 4) piercing damage.
How many killer whales for a fight?
A killer whale is worth 700 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many killer whales 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 killer whale compares at CR 3
Against the 21 other challenge 3 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the killer whale has more hit points than 21 of them, which makes it one of the toughest at its CR. See every CR 3 monster.
Statistic
Killer Whale
CR 3 average
Armor Class
12
14.2
Hit points
90
58
Best attack bonus
+6
+5
Killer Whale 2024 stat block
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the killer whale, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
Speed: 0 ft., swim 60 ft. → 5 ft., swim 60 ft..
Ability scores: DEX 10 → 14.
Gone from it: Echolocation and Keen Hearing.
Armor Class
12
Hit Points
90 (12d12 + 12)
Speed
5 ft., swim 60 ft.
Challenge
3 (700 XP)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
19 (+4)
14 (+2)
13 (+1)
3 (-4)
12 (+1)
7 (-2)
Senses
blindsight 120 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages
None
Traits
Hold Breath. The whale can hold its breath for 30 minutes.
