Shambler in Dungeons & Dragons 5e
Shambler CR: 1/2
Medium undead, neutral evil
Armor Class: 8
Hit Points: 11hp (2d8+2)
Speed:
10 ft
STR
11 +0
DEX
6 -2
CON
12 +1
INT
3 -4
WIS
6 -2
CHA
5 -3
Skills:
Athletics +2
Damage Vulnerabilities: Fire
Damage Immunities: Poison
Condition Immunities: Poisoned
Languages: None
Challenge Rating: 1/2
Undead Fortitude: If damage would reduce the Shambler to 0 hit points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of 5 + the damage taken, unless it is fire or from a critical hit. On a success, the Shambler drops to 1 hit point instead.
Horde Tactics: If the Shambler is engaged in melee combat with a creature and there is at least one other undead within 5ft of that creature, the Shambler makes all attacks and grapple checks with advantage.
Zombie Virus: When an undead creature with this ability makes a successful bite attack on a creature, that creature potentially becomes infected with the virus and eventually turning into an undead themselves. If the bitten creature makes the saving throw, then the bite did not break flesh. If the bitten creature fails the save, the DM rolls a d6 to determine the location of the bite. Every 24 hours after the bite, the afflicted creature takes 1d4 Constitution damage. This damage is irreversible and once the creature’s Constitution score falls to 0 from this effect, they die and turn into a zombie within 3d12 minutes. If the bite is determined to be on a limb and that limb is severed within 1 minute of the bite, the creature is unaffected by the virus.
D6 Location:
1-Left Arm
2-Right Arm
3-Left Leg
4-Right Leg
5-Torso
6-Head/Neck
Actions
Slam: Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5ft, one target. Hit: 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage. After a successful slam attack, the Shambler may make a grapple check as a bonus action. Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +0 to hit, reach 5ft, one target. Hit: 4 (1d8) piercing damage. The Shambler can only make a bite attack against a grappled target. The target must make a Constitution saving throw or be inflicted with the Zombie Virus.
The Shambler is the most common and numerous of the undead seen throughout the world. They are very slow and not very dangerous on their own. Their true strength lies in their numbers. Once a large enough horde is formed, they become a true threat, as taking out the entire horde without alerting more nearby Shamblers is almost impossible to accomplish.
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by 3 Armored Kittens · Prodromos v.1.1 - World Anvil 0.9.15.050 © 2017-2025 [en] | Anvil Time: 20:57, Jun 25 2026