Monster Manual 5E

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.