Keen Hearing and Smell. The mastiff has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
How many mastiffs for a fight?
A mastiff is worth 25 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many mastiffs 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
8
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 mastiff compares at CR 1/8
Against the 18 other challenge 1/8 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the mastiff has more hit points than 2 of them, which makes it one of the frailest at its CR. See every CR 1/8 monster.
Statistic
Mastiff
CR 1/8 average
Armor Class
12
12.4
Hit points
5
9
Best attack bonus
+3
+4
Mastiff 2024 stat block
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the mastiff, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
Gone from it: Keen Hearing and Smell.
Armor Class
12
Hit Points
5 (1d8 + 1)
Speed
40 ft.
Challenge
1/8 (25 XP)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
13 (+1)
14 (+2)
12 (+1)
3 (-4)
12 (+1)
7 (-2)
Senses
darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages
None
Actions
Bite. Melee Attack Roll: +3, reach 5 ft. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) Piercing damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it has the Prone condition.
