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monster might have a larger- than- expected bonus Tremorsense
(usually double its proficiency bonus) to account for A monster with tremorsense can detect and pinpoint
its heightened expertise. the origin of vibrations within a specific radius,
Vulnerabilities, Resistances, and provided that the monster and the source of the
vibrations are in contact with the same ground or
Immunities substance. Tremorsense can’t be used to detect
flying or incorporeal creatures. Many burrowing
Some creatures have vulnerability, resistance, or creatures, such as ankhegs and umber hulks, have
immunity to certain types of damage. Particular this special sense.
creatures are even resistant or immune to damage
from nonmagical attacks (a magical attack is an Truesight
attack delivered by a spell, a magic item, or another A monster with truesight can, out to a specific range,
magical source). In addition, some creatures are see in normal and magical darkness, see invisible
immune to certain conditions. creatures and objects, automatically detect visual
Senses illusions and succeed on saving throws against them,
and perceive the original form of a shapechanger or
The Senses entry notes a monster’s passive Wisdom a creature that is transformed by magic.
(Perception) score, as well as any special senses the Furthermore, the monster can see into the Ethereal
monster might have. Special senses are described Plane within the same range.
below.
Languages
Blindsight The languages that a monster can speak are listed in
A monster with blindsight can perceive its alphabetical order. Sometimes a monster can
surroundings without relying on sight, within a understand a language but can’t speak it, and this is
specific radius. noted in its entry. A “—” indicates that a creature
Creatures without eyes, such as grimlocks and neither speaks nor understands any language.
gray oozes, typically have this special sense, as do
creatures with echolocation or heightened senses, Telepathy
such as bats and true dragons. Telepathy is a magical ability that allows a monster
If a monster is naturally blind, it has a to communicate mentally with another creature
parenthetical note to this effect, indicating that the within a specified range. The contacted creature
radius of its blindsight defines the maximum range doesn’t need to share a language with the monster to
of its perception. communicate in this way with it, but it must be able

Darkvision to understand at least one language. A creature
without telepathy can receive and respond to
A monster with darkvision can see in the dark within telepathic messages but can’t initiate or terminate a
a specific radius. The monster can see in dim light telepathic conversation.
within the radius as if it were bright light, and in A telepathic monster doesn’t need to see a
darkness as if it were dim light. The monster can’t contacted creature and can end the telepathic
discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. Many contact at any time. The contact is broken as soon as
creatures that live underground have this special the two creatures are no longer within range of each
sense.
other or if the telepathic monster contacts a
Armor, Weapon, and Tool Proficiencies different creature within range. A telepathic monster
can initiate or terminate a telepathic conversation
Assume that a creature is proficient with its armor, weapons, without using an action, but while the monster is
and tools. If you swap them out, you decide whether the incapacitated, it can’t initiate telepathic contact, and
creature is proficient with its new equipment.
For example, a hill giant typically wears hide armor and any current contact is terminated.
wields a greatclub. You could equip a hill giant with chain A creature within the area of an antimagic field or
mail and a greataxe instead, and assume the giant is in any other location where magic doesn’t function
proficient with both, one or the other, or neither. can’t send or receive telepathic messages.
See the Player’s Handbook for rules on using armor or
weapons without proficiency.

Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only. System Reference Document 5.1 257