The Symbiote in Dungeons & Dragons 5e
An Emperor's Guide to Mil'Tu
The Symbiote
Template. Templates are powerful changes that are added on top of a creature, and most often provide powerful boons as a creature is stronger, smarter, or otherwise more capable than a typical member of its race. Template rarity primarily refers to how common creatures of this template are. In turn, a template's value is rated on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being slightly more powerful and 5 being incredibly powerful.
Ability Redundancy. If an ability score improvement gained from a template is redundant due to that score being already maxed at 24, the DM may allow you to use that score improvement in a different stat. The stat must be of the same type: Physical or Mental. For example, a creature with 24 strength gains a template that gives it 2 more points of strength, under this rule the creature could put that into dexterity or constitution, but not intelligence.
Multiple Templates. It's possible for a creature to have more than one template, and many features may cause awkward overlap. In the event of two or more of the identical feature, the most common result is that the creature maintains the best possible outcome of the combination. In terms of size, the largest is always used. Certain features may stack additively, for example if one template allows one type of shapechanging and another allows a different kind, then a creature with both templates can shapechange in both ways. At the DM's option, certain features may be lost as a result of multiple templates if it would make sense to do so. A template type refers to how this template is gained: Inherited means a creature is born with the template, acquired means it is gained through some means- most often a magical ritual.
Template Rarity. Rare
Template Type. Inherited
Template Value. 4
Ability Redundancy. If an ability score improvement gained from a template is redundant due to that score being already maxed at 24, the DM may allow you to use that score improvement in a different stat. The stat must be of the same type: Physical or Mental. For example, a creature with 24 strength gains a template that gives it 2 more points of strength, under this rule the creature could put that into dexterity or constitution, but not intelligence.
Multiple Templates. It's possible for a creature to have more than one template, and many features may cause awkward overlap. In the event of two or more of the identical feature, the most common result is that the creature maintains the best possible outcome of the combination. In terms of size, the largest is always used. Certain features may stack additively, for example if one template allows one type of shapechanging and another allows a different kind, then a creature with both templates can shapechange in both ways. At the DM's option, certain features may be lost as a result of multiple templates if it would make sense to do so. A template type refers to how this template is gained: Inherited means a creature is born with the template, acquired means it is gained through some means- most often a magical ritual.
Template Rarity. Rare
Template Type. Inherited
Template Value. 4
ability score increase:
Your Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution scores increase by 8, to a maximum of 26.
age:
The symbiote allows living creatures to live indefinitely
alignment:
Any
Size:
Large
speed:
40ft, climb 40, swim 40ft
Languages:
Same as base creature + deep speech
race features:
Aberrant Nature. Your creature type is Aberration.
Amorphous. While in Symbiote Form, can you move through spaces as narrow as 1 inch without squeezing.
Harmonious Existence. Your body is inhabited by the Symbiote. The DM determines the Symbiote's alignment and personality. You can communicate telepathically with each other. Generally, the symbiote only takes a host whom it can generally agree. Should you and the symbiote come to a major disagreement, the symbiote may attempt to take control of the host temporarily or may leave the host all together (in most cases they prefer the former). If tries to control the host, the host must succeed a DC20 Charisma saving throw or be controlled for 1d12 hours. While controlled, the host can see and hear as usual but cannot move or take any actions.
Heightened Awareness. You have darkvision out to 120 feet and blindsight out to 60 feet. You have advantage on all Wisdom (Perception) checks and cannot be surprised. You have advantage on initiative checks.
Hold Breath. You can hold your breath for up to 1 hour.
Innate Spellcasting. Your innate spellcasting ability is Charisma. You can cast the following spells, requiring no material components.
Legendary. You have 3 legendary actions and 3 uses of legendary resistance.
Magic Resistance. You have advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Natural Armor. Your natural armor is 14 + your Constitution modifier.
Natural Weapons. Your natural weapons are magical and have the finesse property, these attacks have a range of 10 feet. You can only use natural weapons while in your Symbiotic form.
Shapechanger. As an action or bonus action, you can shift between your base creature form and your symbiote form. Your symbiote form is always one size larger than your base form but otherwise maintains the same basic shape.
Symbiotic Resilience. You have resistance to acid, cold, fire, poison, and psychic damage. As well as bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from non-magical attacks. Additionally, you cannot be charmed, frightened, paralyzed, or petrified.
Thunder Vulnerability. You have vulnerability to Thunder damage.
Aberrant Nature. Your creature type is Aberration.
Amorphous. While in Symbiote Form, can you move through spaces as narrow as 1 inch without squeezing.
Harmonious Existence. Your body is inhabited by the Symbiote. The DM determines the Symbiote's alignment and personality. You can communicate telepathically with each other. Generally, the symbiote only takes a host whom it can generally agree. Should you and the symbiote come to a major disagreement, the symbiote may attempt to take control of the host temporarily or may leave the host all together (in most cases they prefer the former). If tries to control the host, the host must succeed a DC20 Charisma saving throw or be controlled for 1d12 hours. While controlled, the host can see and hear as usual but cannot move or take any actions.
Heightened Awareness. You have darkvision out to 120 feet and blindsight out to 60 feet. You have advantage on all Wisdom (Perception) checks and cannot be surprised. You have advantage on initiative checks.
Hold Breath. You can hold your breath for up to 1 hour.
Innate Spellcasting. Your innate spellcasting ability is Charisma. You can cast the following spells, requiring no material components.
- At will: Amplify/Compress (Self only), Grease, Alter Self, Jump, Haste
- 3/day: Silence, Gaseous Form, Vitriolic Sphere, Enervation
- 1/day: Maddening Darkness, Tenser's Transformation
Legendary. You have 3 legendary actions and 3 uses of legendary resistance.
- Attack. You make a single attack with your natural weapons.
- Slippery movement. You move up to your speed without provoking attacks of opportunity.
- Devour (costs 2). You use your swallow.
Magic Resistance. You have advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Natural Armor. Your natural armor is 14 + your Constitution modifier.
Natural Weapons. Your natural weapons are magical and have the finesse property, these attacks have a range of 10 feet. You can only use natural weapons while in your Symbiotic form.
- Bite. Your bite deals 3d10 piercing damage. If the target is a creature it is grappled and restrained (escape DC 10 + your Athletics modifier)
- Claw. Your claws deal 4d6 slashing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed a Constitution saving throw (DC con based) or be poisoned for 1 minute, repeating the saving throw at the end of each of its turns. While poisoned, a creature is blinded.
- Slam. Your slam deals 3d12 bludgeoning damage. If the target is a large or smaller creature, it must succeed a Strength saving throw (DC strength based) or be knocked prone.
- Swallow. You can use your bite to swallow a creature you have grappled. A swallowed creature takes 10d6 + your Constitution modifier acid damage at the start of each of your turns and you heal for the same amount. If the creature is your size or larger, you cannot swallow another, your speed is 0, and attacks against you are made at advantage. While swallowed, a creature inside of you cannot regain hit points. If you take 40 or more damage in a single turn, you must succeed a Constitution save (DC 10 + your Con save modifier) or regurgitate all swallowed creatures.
Shapechanger. As an action or bonus action, you can shift between your base creature form and your symbiote form. Your symbiote form is always one size larger than your base form but otherwise maintains the same basic shape.
Symbiotic Resilience. You have resistance to acid, cold, fire, poison, and psychic damage. As well as bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from non-magical attacks. Additionally, you cannot be charmed, frightened, paralyzed, or petrified.
Thunder Vulnerability. You have vulnerability to Thunder damage.
Description:
Alien Parasite. "The Symbiote" may have a variety of different names depending who you're speaking with. But the term "Symbiote" is the most often used. Indeed, the Symbiote is a strange alien being that fits this exact nature. Without a host, the Symbiote is a largely harmless slime-like substance that can only slowly move around. However, when bonded to a host, it enhances the host greatly with extreme strength, speed, and abilities. It can transform even the most generic, unsuspecting individual into an incredibly powerful new being.
Origins. While the exact nature is unknown and unclear it is strongly suggested that the symbiote does come from the material plane, but from another world. Its aberrant nature leads many to assume it is from or influenced by the far realms or the chaotic planes. Though there may or may not be some truth to this, the Symbiote's personality is neither explicitly malicious, benevolent, or chaotic but rather is largely made up and defined by its hosts. If a Symbiote spent its existence with a single host, it would after a time certainly share that host's general sense of morality and personality. If it travelled between hosts, it would likely become a culmination of those people.
Personality Variance. On its own, The Symbiote simply wishes to have a host. What determines its choice of host is entirely dependent on the symbiote in question. Some may prefer certain races, such as humans or elves. Others may prefer certain genders, cultures, or even personalities. In a way they are much like regular people: Who develop and grow based on their experiences. What's different is that their experiences are far more intimate and personal as they merge with the physiology of another.
Reproduction. The Symbiote, regardless of its alignment, craves meat first and foremost. The creature it is bonded with very rarely ends up fat, as the Symbiote refines and enhances its figure constantly and has a high demand of energy. Put simply, the host needs to eat a lot on a regular basis. If the host is able to consume a particularly large amount of nutrient over an extended period of time, the Symbiote can asexually reproduce, forming a new Symbiote all together.
Origins. While the exact nature is unknown and unclear it is strongly suggested that the symbiote does come from the material plane, but from another world. Its aberrant nature leads many to assume it is from or influenced by the far realms or the chaotic planes. Though there may or may not be some truth to this, the Symbiote's personality is neither explicitly malicious, benevolent, or chaotic but rather is largely made up and defined by its hosts. If a Symbiote spent its existence with a single host, it would after a time certainly share that host's general sense of morality and personality. If it travelled between hosts, it would likely become a culmination of those people.
Personality Variance. On its own, The Symbiote simply wishes to have a host. What determines its choice of host is entirely dependent on the symbiote in question. Some may prefer certain races, such as humans or elves. Others may prefer certain genders, cultures, or even personalities. In a way they are much like regular people: Who develop and grow based on their experiences. What's different is that their experiences are far more intimate and personal as they merge with the physiology of another.
Reproduction. The Symbiote, regardless of its alignment, craves meat first and foremost. The creature it is bonded with very rarely ends up fat, as the Symbiote refines and enhances its figure constantly and has a high demand of energy. Put simply, the host needs to eat a lot on a regular basis. If the host is able to consume a particularly large amount of nutrient over an extended period of time, the Symbiote can asexually reproduce, forming a new Symbiote all together.
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by 3 Armored Kittens · Prodromos v.1.1 - World Anvil 0.9.15.050 © 2017-2025 [en] | Anvil Time: 23:46, Jun 4 2026