Death Burst. When the mephit dies, it explodes in a burst of lava. Each creature within 5 ft. of it must make a DC 11 Dexterity saving throw, taking 7 (2d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
False Appearance. While the mephit remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from an ordinary mound of magma.
Innate Spellcasting (1/Day). The mephit can innately cast heat metal (spell save DC 10), requiring no material components. Its innate spellcasting ability is Charisma.
Actions
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 3 (1d4 + 1) slashing damage plus 2 (1d4) fire damage.
Fire Breath (Recharge 6). The mephit exhales a 15-foot cone of fire. Each creature in that area must make a DC 11 Dexterity saving throw, taking 7 (2d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
How many magma mephits for a fight?
A magma mephit is worth 100 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many magma mephits 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
1st
2
3
4
2nd
4
6
8
3rd
6
9
12+
4th
10
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 magma mephit compares at CR 1/2
Against the 32 other challenge 1/2 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the magma mephit has more hit points than 15 of them, which makes it a little frailer than most at its CR. See every CR 1/2 monster.
Statistic
Magma Mephit
CR 1/2 average
Armor Class
11
12.5
Hit points
22
20
Best attack bonus
+3
+4
Magma Mephit 2024 stat block
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the magma mephit, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
Hit points: 22 → 18.
New in its stat block: Claw.
Gone from it: False Appearance, Innate Spellcasting and Claws.
Death Burst. The mephit explodes when it dies. Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 11, each creature in a 5-foot Emanation originating from the mephit. Failure: 7 (2d6) Fire damage. Success: Half damage.
Actions
Claw. Melee Attack Roll: +3, reach 5 ft. Hit: 3 (1d4 + 1) Slashing damage plus 3 (1d6) Fire damage.
Fire Breath (Recharge 6). Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 11, each creature in a 15-foot Cone. Failure: 7 (2d6) Fire damage. Success: Half damage.
