Limited Telepathy. The otyugh can magically transmit simple messages and images to any creature within 120 ft. of it that can understand a language. This form of telepathy doesn't allow the receiving creature to telepathically respond.
Actions
Multiattack. The otyugh makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its tentacles.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw against disease or become poisoned until the disease is cured. Every 24 hours that elapse, the target must repeat the saving throw, reducing its hit point maximum by 5 (1d10) on a failure. The disease is cured on a success. The target dies if the disease reduces its hit point maximum to 0. This reduction to the target's hit point maximum lasts until the disease is cured.
Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) bludgeoning damage plus 4 (1d8) piercing damage. If the target is Medium or smaller, it is grappled (escape DC 13) and restrained until the grapple ends. The otyugh has two tentacles, each of which can grapple one target.
Tentacle Slam. The otyugh slams creatures grappled by it into each other or a solid surface. Each creature must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or take 10 (2d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage and be stunned until the end of the otyugh's next turn. On a successful save, the target takes half the bludgeoning damage and isn't stunned.
How many otyughs for a fight?
An otyugh is worth 1,800 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many otyughs 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 otyugh compares at CR 5
Against the 26 other challenge 5 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the otyugh has more hit points than 18 of them, which makes it tougher than most at its CR. See every CR 5 monster.
Statistic
Otyugh
CR 5 average
Armor Class
14
14.6
Hit points
114
102
Best attack bonus
+6
+7
Best save DC
14
14
Otyugh 2024 stat block
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the otyugh, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
Hit points: 114 → 104.
Gone from it: Limited Telepathy.
Armor Class
14
Hit Points
104 (11d10 + 44)
Speed
30 ft.
Challenge
5 (1,800 XP)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
16 (+3)
11 (+0)
19 (+4)
6 (-2)
13 (+1)
6 (-2)
Senses
darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages
Otyugh; telepathy 120 ft. (doesn’t allow the receiving creature to respond telepathically)
Actions
Multiattack. The otyugh makes one Bite attack and two Tentacle attacks.
Bite. Melee Attack Roll: +6, reach 5 ft. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) Piercing damage, and the target has the Poisoned condition. Whenever the Poisoned target finishes a Long Rest, it is subjected to the following effect. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 15. Failure: The target’s Hit Point maximum decreases by 5 (1d10) and doesn’t return to normal until the Poisoned condition ends on the target. Success: The Poisoned condition ends.
Tentacle. Melee Attack Roll: +6, reach 10 ft. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) Piercing damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it has the Grappled condition (escape DC 13) from one of two tentacles.
Tentacle Slam. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 14, each creature Grappled by the otyugh. Failure: 16 (3d8 + 3) Bludgeoning damage, and the target has the Stunned condition until the start of the otyugh’s next turn. Success: Half damage only.
