Multiattack. The veteran makes two longsword attacks. If it has a shortsword drawn, it can also make a shortsword attack.
Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage, or 8 (1d10 + 3) slashing damage if used with two hands.
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage.
Heavy Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 100/400 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d10 + 1) piercing damage.
How many veterans for a fight?
A veteran is worth 700 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many veterans 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 veteran compares at CR 3
Against the 21 other challenge 3 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the veteran has more hit points than 9 of them, which makes it a little frailer than most at its CR. See every CR 3 monster.
Statistic
Veteran
CR 3 average
Armor Class
17
14
Hit points
58
59
Best attack bonus
+5
+5
2024 stat block: Warrior Veteran
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the veteran, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
It’s called the Warrior Veteran in the 2024 rules.
Hit points: 58 → 65.
New in its stat block: Greatsword and Parry.
Gone from it: Longsword and Shortsword.
Armor Class
17 (splint)
Hit Points
65 (10d8 + 20)
Speed
30 ft.
Challenge
3 (700 XP)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
16 (+3)
13 (+1)
14 (+2)
10 (+0)
11 (+0)
10 (+0)
Senses
passive Perception 12
Languages
Common plus one other language
Gear
Greatsword, Heavy Crossbow, Splint Armor
Actions
Multiattack. The warrior makes two Greatsword or Heavy Crossbow attacks.
Heavy Crossbow. Ranged Attack Roll: +3, range 100/400 ft. Hit: 12 (2d10 + 1) Piercing damage.
Reactions
Parry. Trigger: The warrior is hit by a melee attack roll while holding a weapon. Response: The warrior adds 2 to its AC against that attack, possibly causing it to miss.
