Skeletons

For our first week in the Homebrew Studio, we are creating a cadre of custom creatures to challenge low level adventurers. In this article, we explore variations on that xylophonic undead: the skeleton!
First, we consider what kind of skeleton we might find if the poor adventurer who once used it crossed paths with a hungry ooze.

Ooze-Coated Skeleton

Medium undead, lawful evil

Armor Class 12

Hit Points 13 (2d8+4)

Speed 30ft

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STR

10 0

DEX

14 +2

CON

15 +2

INT

6 -2

WIS

8 -1

CHA

5 -3

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Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning

Damage Immunities acid, poison

Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned

Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9

Languages Understands all languages it knew in life, but cannot speak

Challenge 1/4

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Actions

Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage plus 2 (1d4) acid damage.
Roll to hit: 1d20+4 Roll damage: 1d6+2 piercing plus 1d4 acid
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage plus 2 (1d4) acid damage.
Roll to hit: 1d20+4 Roll damage: 1d6+2 piercing plus 1d4 acid

Then, we reassemble those lovely bones into a new, differently-appendaged form!

Four-Armed Skeleton

Medium undead, lawful evil

Armor Class 13 (armor scraps)

Hit Points 13 (2d8+4)

Speed 30ft

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STR

10 0

DEX

14 +2

CON

15 +2

INT

6 -2

WIS

8 -1

CHA

5 -3

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Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning

Damage Immunities poison

Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned

Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9

Languages Undead

Challenge 1/4

Four Armed. The skeleton can cling to objects or surfaces and still have two free hands.
Extreme Tumbling. The skeleton has advantage against effects and abilities that would knock it prone.
Handsy. The skeleton has advantage to grapple another creature of its size or smaller.

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Actions

Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Roll to hit: 1d20+4 Roll damage: 1d6+2
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Roll to hit: 1d20+4 Roll damage: 1d6+2