Welcome

Build and run your Dungeons & Dragons 5e campaign on World Anvil!

START NOW

Basilisk in Dungeons & Dragons 5e

Print

SRD (p.268)

Basilisk CR: 3

Medium monstrosity, unaligned
Armor Class: 15
Hit Points: 52
Speed: 20 ft

STR

16 +3

DEX

8 -1

CON

15 +2

INT

2 -4

WIS

8 -1

CHA

7 -2

Senses: Darkvision 60ft., Passive Perception 9
Challenge Rating: 3 ( 700 XP)
Proficiency Bonus: +2

Petrifying Gaze. If a creature starts its turn within 30 feet of the basilisk and the two of them can see each other, the basilisk can force the creature to make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw if the basilisk isn't incapacitated. On a failed save, the creature magically begins to turn to stone and is restrained. It must repeat the saving throw at the end of its next turn. On a success, the effect ends. On a failure, the creature is petrified until freed by the Greater Restoration spell or other magic.

A creature that isn't surprised can avert its eyes to avoid the saving throw at the start of its turn. If it does so, it can't see the basilisk until the start of its next turn, when it can avert its eyes again.
If it looks at the basilisk in the meantime, it must immediately make the save. If the basilisk sees its reflection within 30 feet of it in bright light, it mistakes itself for a rival and targets itself with its gaze.

Actions

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage.

A basilisk is a multilegged, reptilian horror whose deadly gaze transforms victims into porous stone. With its strong jaws, the creature consumes this stone, which returns to organic form in its gullet.
Travelers sometimes find objects that look like pieces of remarkably lifelike stone carvings of wildlife. Missing parts appear to have been bitten off. Seasoned explorers regard such relics as warnings, knowing that the basilisk that created them is likely to be nearby.  
"No one carves statues of frightened warriors. If you see one, keep your eyes closed and your ears open." -X the Mystic's 4th rule of Dungeon Survival
  Adaptable Predators. Basilisks thrive in arid, temperate, or tropical climates. They lair in caves or other sheltered sites. Most often, basilisks are encountered underground.
A basilisk born and raised in captivity can be domesticated and trained. Such a trained basilisk knows how to avoid meeting the eyes of those its master wishes to protect from its gaze, but it makes a daunting guardian beast. Because of this use, basilisk eggs are highly prized.
  Gaze of Stone. Basilisks are ponderous for hunting creatures, but they needn’t chase prey. Meeting a basilisk’s supernatural gaze can be enough to affect a rapid transformation, transforming a victim into porous stone. Basilisks, with their strong jaws, are able to consume the stone. The stone returns to organic form in the basilisk’s gullet.
Some alchemists are said to know how to process the basilisk’s gullet and the fluids contained within. Properly handled, the gullet produces an oil that can return petrified creatures to flesh and life. Unfortunately for such a victim, any parts lost in stone form remain absent if the creature revives. Revivification using the oil is impossible if a vital part of the petrified creature, such as its head, is detached.

Suggested Environments

Mountain

Created by tokranepo Check out more Dungeons & Dragons 5e Monster / Creature (2020) Blocks
« Go to the Statblocks Library

World Anvil: The Ultimate Worldbuilding Toolset & RPG Campaign Manager

Created for Dungeon Masters and Game Masters, World Anvil has everything you need to build your own homebrew RPG campaign setting, and run your games, either online or around the table!

  • Speed up prep with a whole library of community statblocks you can copy (and edit!)
  • Enthrall your players with interactive maps, timelines, and a whole wiki of your world
  • Keep track of NPCs, PC character sheets, monster stats, treasure, journals, notes and more
  • Quickly look up essential info with session notes, campaign map markers, and bookmarked lore at your fingertips
  • Build your own campaign setting, or expand a prewritten campaign, with expertly created worldbuilding templates and prompts
  • Control who sees what in your worldbuilding wiki with secrets and subscriber groups
  • Collaborate with players and GMs to build the campaign setting of your dreams 
  • NEVER lose your notes!

GET STARTED TODAY!

Take the first step. Create your account. Your world and characters await!

REGISTER NOW

100+ RPG systems

Hello! <3 I hope you are having a nice day!

Find your way!

Resources

WHO WE ARE

LEGAL

Get the news

Worldbuilding Academy

Listen to our Podcast

Gold Ennie 2019 for Best Digital Aid
by 3 Armored Kittens · Prodromos v.1.1 - World Anvil 0.9.15.045 © 2017-2025 [en] | Anvil Time: 02:03, Apr 21 2026