Medium humanoid (any race), any non-good alignment · CR 1/2 · 2024 version: Tough
Armor Class
11 (leather armor)
Hit Points
32 (5d8+10)
Speed
30 ft.
Challenge
1/2 (100 XP)
Proficiency bonus
+2
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
15 (+2)
11 (+0)
14 (+2)
10 (+0)
10 (+0)
11 (+0)
Skills
Intimidation +2
Senses
passive Perception 10
Languages
any one language (usually Common)
Traits
Pack Tactics. The thug has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the thug's allies is within 5 ft. of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.
Actions
Multiattack. The thug makes two melee attacks.
Mace. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) bludgeoning damage.
Heavy Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, range 100/400 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d10) piercing damage.
How many thugs for a fight?
A thug is worth 100 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many thugs 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 thug compares at CR 1/2
Against the 32 other challenge 1/2 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the thug has more hit points than 32 of them, which makes it one of the toughest at its CR. See every CR 1/2 monster.
Statistic
Thug
CR 1/2 average
Armor Class
11
12.5
Hit points
32
20
Best attack bonus
+4
+4
2024 stat block: Tough
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the thug, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
It’s called the Tough in the 2024 rules.
Armor Class: 11 → 12.
Ability scores: DEX 11 → 12.
Gone from it: Multiattack.
Armor Class
12 (leather armor)
Hit Points
32 (5d8 + 10)
Speed
30 ft.
Challenge
1/2 (100 XP)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
15 (+2)
12 (+1)
14 (+2)
10 (+0)
10 (+0)
11 (+0)
Senses
passive Perception 10
Languages
Common
Gear
Heavy Crossbow, Leather Armor, Mace
Traits
Pack Tactics. The tough has Advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the tough’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally doesn’t have the Incapacitated condition.
