Monster Manual 5E

(Nancy Kaufman) #1

DOPPELGANGER
Doppelgangers are devious shapeshifters that take
on the appearance of other humanoids, throwing off
pursuit or luring victims to their doom with misdirection
an.d disguise. Few creatures spread fear, suspicion, and
deceit better than doppelgangers. Found in every land
and culture, they can take on the guise of a ny individual
of any race.
Stealing Secrets. A doppelganger's adopted form
allows it to blend into almost any group or community,
but its transformation doesn't impart languages,
mannerisms, memory, or personality. Doppelgangers
often follow or capture creatures they intend to
impersonate, studying them and probing their minds for
s ecrets. A doppelganger can read a creature's surface
thoughts, allowing it to glean that creature's name,
desires, and fears, along with a few scattered memories.
A doppelganger impersonating a specific creature as


Medium monstrosity (shapechangerj, neutral

Armor Class 14
Hit Points 52 (8d8 + 16)
Speed 30ft.

STR
11 (+0)

DEX
18 (+4)

CON


14 (+2)

Skills Deception +6, Insight +3
Condition Immunities charmed

INT
11 (+0)

WIS
12 (+1)

Senses darkvision 60ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Common
Challenge 3 (700 XP)

CHA
14 (+2)

Shapechanger. The doppelganger can use its action to
polymorph into a Small or Medium humanoid it has seen, or
back into its true form. Its statistics, other than its size, are the
same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn't
tra nsformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.

Ambusher. The doppelganger has advantage on attack rolls
against any creature it has surprised.

Surprise Attack. If the doppelganger surprises a creature and
hits it with an attack during the first round of combat, the
target takes an extra 10 (3d6) damage from the attack.

ACTIONS
Multiattack. The doppelganger makes two melee attacks.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage.

Read Thoughts. The doppelganger magically reads the surface
thoughts of one creature within 60 feet of it. The effect ca n
penetrate barriers, but 3 feet of wood or dirt, 2 feet of stone,
2 inches of metal, or a thin sheet of lead blocks it. While the
target is in range, the doppelganger can continue reading its
thoughts, as long as the doppelganger's concentration isn't
broken (as if concentrating on a spell). While reading the
target's mind, the doppelganger has advantage on Wisdom
(Insight) and Charisma (Deception, Intimidation, and
Pers uasion) checks against the target.

part of a long-term plot might keep its double alive and
close at hand for weeks, probing the victim's mind daily
to learn how to behave and speak authentically.
Hedonistic Swindlers. Doppelgangers work alone
or in small groups, with group roles shifting from con
to con. While one doppelganger takes the place of a
murdered m erchant or noble, the others take on a
number of identities as circumstances warrant, playing
the parts of family or servants while they live off the
victim's riches.
Changelings. Doppelgangers are too lazy or self-
interested to raise their young. They assume attractive
m ale forms and seduce women, leaving them to raise
their progeny. A doppelganger child appears to be a
normal member of its mother's species until it reaches
adolescence, at which point it discovers its true nature
and is driven to seek out its kind to join them.
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