How Many Legendary Actions Do Monsters Get?
In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, Legendary Actions are a special type of action that can be taken by certain types of creatures, such as dragons and liches. These creatures have the ability to take three actions during their turn, including moving, taking a standard action, and using their Legendary Actions.
Legendary Actions and the Number of Creatures
Direct Answer:
In general, monsters with legendary actions have only one Legendary Action to use per turn. However, some creatures, like Strahd, have up to three Legendary Actions. The number of Legendary Actions a creature has depends on its specific stat block.
Understanding Legendary Actions
Only One Action per Turn: Legendary Actions can only be taken at the end of another creature’s turn, not during your own turn or immediately after.
One Action at a Time: You can only use one Legendary Action option at a time, and you can’t take another Legendary Action until the next turn.
No Multiple Legendary Actions: A creature can only take one Legendary Action, and you can’t stack multiple Legendary Actions together.
Exception: Shapechange Spell
The Shapechange spell, a 5th-level enchantment spell, allows a creature to change its shape, gaining some benefits, but losing some abilities, including Legendary Actions.
Legendary Actions in Combat
Lair Actions and Legendary Actions: Lair actions tend to be weak and aren’t a significant factor in combat, whereas Legendary Actions are powerful and can significantly impact the combat.
Adjusting Challenge Rating
Challenge Rating (CR) Reduction: When a monster with Legendary Actions is used in a combat encounter, you may need to reduce its CR to ensure the combat remains balanced. This can be done by removing its Legendary Actions.
Legendary Actions and Combat Encounter Building
Build a Balanced Combat: When building a combat encounter, consider the number of Legendary Actions each creature has and adjust the encounter accordingly. This can ensure a fun and balanced combat experience.
Strahd and Legendary Actions
Strahd’s Legendary Actions: Strahd, a legendary vampire from the Curse of Strahd adventure, has three Legendary Actions to use per turn. These actions can significantly impact the combat and create a more dynamic encounter.
Table: Legendary Actions by Monster
| Monster | Number of Legendary Actions | Stat Block | Adjust CR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon | 1-3 | MM p. 93 | Yes, reduce CR |
| Lich | 1 | MM p. 221 | No |
| Strahd | 3 | Curse of Strahd | No |
In conclusion, monsters with Legendary Actions can take only one action per turn, and this action can only be used at the end of another creature’s turn. While Lair Actions may not have a significant impact on combat, Legendary Actions can create a more dynamic and engaging encounter. Remember to adjust the Challenge Rating when using a monster with Legendary Actions in your combat encounters.