Drow House Captain: Powerful 5th Edition Monster Guide

A drow house captain leads the troops of an Underdark faction, whether defending a stronghold or leading forces against enemies. These officers make extensive study of strategy and tactics to become effective leaders in battle.

Among Lolth’s devotees in the city of Menzoberranzan in the Forgotten Realms, each noble house entrusts the leadership of its military forces to a house captain, who is typically the first or second son of a drow matron mother. Elsewhere drow house captains fight in the war against Lolth, often allying with duergar and others who also wish to rid their subterranean world of that god’s malevolence.

Medium Humanoid (Elf), Any Alignment

Armor Class: 16 (chain mail)
Hit Points: 162 (25d8 + 50)
Speed: 30 ft.

    STR – 14 (+2)
    DEX – 19 (+4)
    CON – 15 (+2)
    INT – 12 (+1)
    WIS – 14 (+2)
    CHA – 13 (+1)

Saving Throws: Dex +8, Con +6, Wis +6

Skills: Perception +6, Stealth +8

Senses: darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 16

Languages: Elvish, Undercommon

Challenge: 9 (5,000 XP)

Proficiency Bonus: +4

Fey Ancestry. The drow has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put the drow to sleep.

Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the drow has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

ACTIONS

Multiattack. The drow makes two Scimitar attacks and one Whip or Hand Crossbow attack.

Scimitar. Mefee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) slashing damage plus 14 (4d6) poison damage.

Whip. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d4 + 4) slashing damage.

Hand Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 hour. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the target is also unconscious while poisoned in this way. The target regains consciousness if it takes damage or if another creature takes an action to shake it.

Spellcasting. The drow casts one of the following spells, requiring no material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 13):

At will: dancing lights

1/day each: darkness, faerie fire, levitate (self only)

BONUS ACTIONS

Battle Command. Choose one creature with in 30 feet of the drow that the drow can see. If the chosen creature can see or hear the drow, that creature can use its reaction to make one melee attack or to take the Dodge or Hide action.

REACTIONS

Parry. The drow adds 3 to its AC against one melee attack roll that would hit it. To do so, the drow must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.