Demogorgon 5e

“Know me then by my best name, mortal. You face Demogorgon, Prince of Demons.”
– Demogorgon

What is a Demogorgon 5e

The Demogorgon, also known as the Prince of Demons is a horrifying creature to look at. It has two head that causes unprepared creatures that look upon them to go mad. It has an apelike torso, a lizard-like lower body, webbed feet, and tentacles protruding from it.

It’s considered a Huge demonic creature and one of the stronger enemies any party of adventurers will face.

Huge Fiend (Demon), Chaotic Evil

Demogorgon 5e Stats

• Armor Class 22 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 464 (32d12 + 256)
• Speed 50 ft., swim 50 ft.

Base Stats

• Saving Throws Dex +10, Con +16, Wis +11, Cha +15
• Skills Insight +11, Perception +19
• Damage Resistances: cold, fire, lightning
• Damage Immunities poison; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing that is nonmagical
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned
• Senses truesight 120 ft., passive perception 29
• Languages all, telepathy 120 ft.
• Challenge 26 (90000 XP) Proficiency Bonus +8

• Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Demogorgon fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.
• Magic Resistance. Demogorgon has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
• Two Heads. Demogorgon has advantage on saving throws against being blinded, deafened, stunned, or knocked unconscious.

Demogorgon 5e Lore

The Demogorgon is one of the fiercest demons in the DnD world. They make their lair within the abyssal plane in an area known as the Gaping Maw. Their lairs consist of two massive serpentine towers protruding from a lake. The Demogorgon sits at the top of the tower. The majority of the lair is underwater. Like an iceberg, only the tip protrudes out of the water. The majority of its lair lies underneath the water filled with mazes and dark caverns. Adventurers will need to navigate this mind-altering and madness-inducing dungeon if they wish to face the Demogorgon.

Actions

Multiattack. Demogorgon makes two Tentacle attacks. He can replace one attack with a use of Gaze.

Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 28 (3d12 + 9) force damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 23 Constitution saving throw, or its hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if its hit point maximum is reduced to 0.

Gaze. Demogorgon turns his magical gaze toward one creature he can see within 120 feet of him. The target must succeed on a DC 23 Wisdom saving throw or suffer one of the following effects (choose one or roll a d6):

1-2: Beguiling Gaze. The target is stunned until the start of Demogorgon’s next turn or until Demogorgon is no longer within line of sight.

3-4: Confusing Gaze. The target suffers the effect of the confusion spell without making a saving throw. The effect lasts until the start of Demogorgon’s next turn. Demogorgon doesn’t need to concentrate on the spell.

5-6: Hypnotic Gaze. The target is charmed by Demogorgon until the start of Demogorgon’s next turn. Demogorgon chooses how the charmed target uses its action, reaction, and movement.

Spellcasting. Demogorgon casts one of the following spells, requiring no material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 23):

At will: detect magic, major image
3/day each: dispel magic, fear, telekinesis
1/day each: feeblemind, project image

Legendary Actions

Demogorgon can take 2 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Demogorgon regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.

Gaze. Demogorgon uses Gaze and must use either Beguiling Gaze or Confusing Gaze.

Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (2d10 + 9) bludgeoning damage plus 11 (2d10) necrotic damage.

Cast a Spell (Costs 2 Actions). Demogorgon uses Spellcasting.

What Level Should I be to Fight Demogorgon 5e?

The Demogorgon has a Challenge Rating of 26. That’s going to be tough. A party of 4 max-level characters will have trouble fighting the Legendary Demogorgon. They’ll need to prepare well in advance or add a few more max-level characters to not get stomped.

In addition to all of this players will need to fight their way through the Demogorgon’s lair before they even make it to the final encounter. This level of demon is perfect for a final boss fight in a major campaign. 

How Do You Beat a Demogorgon 5e?

Fighting a Demogorgon is a heroic task. It has several legendary actions so preparations are going to be key to fighting the Demogorgon.

Its Tentacle attack will rapidly reduce the player’s maximum health, so restoration spells and healing potions are less important since the max health of the players will constantly be cut down. Any spell that gives temporary health points will be more useful than healing spells. 

The Gaze ability is going to be the next major obstacle. The threat of party members being paralyzed out of position or charmed mid-fight is one of the worst things that can happen. A truly devious DM could send your character running to jump off the Demogorgon’s tower or have them use their most powerful spells against allies. Having something to temporarily incapacitate allies might be a good idea. 

Since healing is difficult or obsolete, it’s better to focus everything on an all-out attack. For spellcasters look for concentration spells so that they don’t need to physically be looking at the Demogorgon and risk its Gaze attack.

Good Luck!

Demogorgon 5e FAQ

Is the Demogorgon in DnD 5e

The Demogorgon makes its debut in 5e in the Out of the Abyss module on pages 236-237.

Does DnD have a Demogorgon?

The Demogorgon has been in DnD since the original version of Dungeons & Dragons. It appeared with the Demon Orcus and has since been a staple in DnD lore.