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CR 12 Monsters for 5e

Creatures
75
XP each
8,400
Proficiency
+4
Typical AC
17
range 12–20
Typical HP
180
range 99–330

There are 75 creatures with a challenge rating of 12 in our open-licensed bestiary, drawn from 8 source books. Each is worth 8,400 XP and has a proficiency bonus of +4. As a rule of thumb, one CR 12 monster is a fair fight for four rested level-12 characters; for bigger battles, give it lower-CR minions.

Undead are the most common (14), followed by fiends (13) and monstrosities (13). Armor Class runs from 12 to 20 (typically 17) and hit points from 99 to 330 (typically 180).

Roll a CR 12 encounter

CR 12 encounter ideas

  • Frost Giant Jarl with 4 × Shadow

    • 1 × Frost Giant Jarl (CR 12, 8,400 XP)
    • 4 × Shadow (CR 1/2, 400 XP)

    8,800 XP total

  • Ancient Titan with 2 × Phoenixborn

    • 1 × Ancient Titan (CR 12, 8,400 XP)
    • 2 × Phoenixborn (CR 1/2, 200 XP)

    8,600 XP total

  • Erinyes with 2 × Hobgoblin

    • 1 × Erinyes (CR 12, 8,400 XP)
    • 2 × Hobgoblin (CR 1/2, 200 XP)

    8,600 XP total

All CR 12 monsters

Names link to the full stat block on Open5e.

Showing 75 of 75

Challenge rating 12 monsters with type, size, armor class, hit points and source
Aboleth, NihilithLarge undead17135
Accursed Guardian NagaLarge monstrosity18136
AkkorokamuiGargantuan celestial17189
AkyishigalLarge fiend18138
Ancient TitanGargantuan celestialTome of Beasts15198
Ancient TitanGargantuan celestialTome of Beasts 202315198
Angelic EnforcerLarge celestial18152
AnnelidastHuge monstrosity18184
ArchdruidMedium humanoid17210
ArchfeyMedium fey16330
ArchmageMedium humanoid5e Core Rules1299
ArchmageMedium humanoidBlack Flag SRD17212
Bear KingMedium fey18133
Behir MagusHuge monstrosity16168
Bonepowder GhoulSmall undeadTome of Beasts18195
Bonepowder GhoulSmall undeadTome of Beasts 202318180
Boneshard WraithMedium undead16127
Chort DevilMedium fiendTome of Beasts18187
Chort DevilMedium fiendTome of Beasts 202318187
Chronomatic EnhancerLarge construct16152
Cloud Giant NobleHuge giant14187
CulicoidLarge fiend18190
Death BarqueGargantuan undead17198
Demon, MahaMedium fiend15178
Derendian Moth AbominationHuge monstrosity14210
Devil, MaelstromLarge fiend17195
Devouring AngelLarge aberration15220
Dragon EelHuge dragonTome of Beasts18230
Dragon EelHuge dragonTome of Beasts 202318195
DrothHuge aberration16230
ErinyesMedium fiend5e Core Rules18153
ErinyesMedium fiendBlack Flag SRD18147
ErinyesMedium fiendLevel Up Advanced 5e Monstrous Menagerie18161
Faerie NobleMedium fey16165
Fire Giant War PriestHuge giant18162
FlutterfleshLarge undeadTome of Beasts16187
FlutterfleshLarge undeadTome of Beasts 202316187
Frost Giant JarlHuge giant15184
GalidrooHuge monstrosity17172
Giant, LanternHuge giant16225
Glacier BehemothHuge beast18172
GugHuge giantTome of Beasts17270
GugHuge giantTome of Beasts 202317230
Herald of BloodHuge fiendTome of Beasts 202315184
Herald Of BloodHuge fiendTome of Beasts15115
Hoard GolemHuge constructTome of Beasts18161
Hoard GolemHuge constructTome of Beasts 202318161
Horned SerpentLarge monstrosity18210
HundunLarge celestial18153
Ice DevilLarge fiend18180
Illhveli, KembingurGargantuan monstrosity17210
Infernal SwarmHuge fiend16150
MavkaMedium undeadTome of Beasts17170
MavkaMedium undeadTome of Beasts 202317170
Murmuring WormHuge aberration16195
Npc: First ServantMedium humanoid17162
Ooze, ScintillatingLarge ooze15165
RemorhazHuge monstrosity17195
Skein WitchMedium celestialTome of Beasts20162
Skein WitchMedium celestialTome of Beasts 202320162
Son of FenrisHuge monstrosityTome of Beasts 202317175
Son Of FenrisHuge monstrosityTome of Beasts17175
Stellar RorqualGargantuan aberration14165
ThrummrenGargantuan celestial17198
ThuellaiHuge elemental17161
TitanoboaGargantuan beastTome of Beasts14232
TitanoboaGargantuan beastTome of Beasts 202314232
Tosculi Hive QueenLarge monstrosity17189
Tosculi Hive-QueenLarge monstrosity17157
Undead PhoenixHuge undead17142
Vampire AssassinMedium undead16142
Vampire WarriorMedium undead18142
Venom Maw HydraHuge monstrosity15231
Virtuoso LichMedium undeadBlack Flag SRD17185
Virtuoso LichMedium undeadTome of Beasts 217123

Monster names and statistics are Open Game Content from the listed source books, via the Open5e project (snapshot 2026-11-07); see Legal & Open Game License. Encounter ideas and summaries are original. FandomCodex is not affiliated with Wizards of the Coast.

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