Golden Monster (5e Template)
Golden Monster
Native to Hyrule and Holodrum, golden monsters are extremely rare and inherently mysterious. It is rumored they have gained their power from a potent divine being, such as a sage, a Great Fairy, or even a god. Others claim a golden creature is simply born with its coloration and gifts. Along with increases strength and resilience, a golden monster moves with frantic, unnatural speed. It is usually isolated from others of its kind. Among hunters, the hide of a rare golden beast is among the most esteemed of trophies.
- Prerequisite
Practically any monster that is neither undead nor a construct could be blessed and become golden, but it occurs most frequently with beasts.
Statistics
Hit Dice. The creature gains six more Hit Dice.
Speed. The creature's base walking speed, swim speed if it has one, and fly speed if it has one all increase by 10 feet. If the creature has special movement options, like Standing Jump, these increase accordingly.
Abilities. The creature's Strength, Constitution, and Dexterity scores each increase by 6. If after this adjustment the creature's Dexterity is less than 20, it becomes 20.
Saves. The creature gains proficiency in Dexterity saving throws.
Skills. The creature gains proficiency in Acrobatics and Perception.
Damage Resistances. The creature gains resistance to radiant damage.
Traits
The creature gains the following traits. If the creature already has Legendary Resistance, it can use the trait an extra time per day. If the creature already has the Brute trait, then Powerful Attacks replaces it.
Improved Initiative. The golden monster has advantage on initiative rolls. If the campaign uses static initiative, it instead gains a +5 bonus to its initiative score.
Legendary Resistance. If the golden monster fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Powerful Attacks. A weapon attack deals one extra die of its damage when the golden monster hits with it (included in the attack), and these weapon attacks are magical.
Actions
If the creature has the Multiattack action, it can make one or two more attacks as part of its Multiattack. If it doesn't, it gains a Multiattack action and can make two or three attacks as part of it.
Reactions
The creature gains the following reaction:
Gleaming Dodge. When attacked by a creature it can see, the golden monster halves the damage it takes—unless the damage is necrotic.
Legendary Actions
The creature gains legendary actions as follows. If it already has legendary actions, the number of legendary actions it can perform will increase to 3 if it would otherwise be lower.
The golden monster can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The golden monster regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Detect. The golden monster makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Withdraw. The golden monster uses the Disengage action, and moves up to half its speed. (If the base creature has special movement types, such as flight or jumping, these may be incorporated.)
Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The golden monster moves up to half its speed and makes a melee weapon attack.
CR Calculation
Challenge Rating will need to be completely recalculated. Damage output, AC, and hit points will all be significantly higher for any creature that gains this template.
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