Krulos, Tyrant of Thunderback
A custom statblock inspired by the villian from the Dino-riders animation series. If you don't know what that is, then maybe I'm just too old. It has the statblock for the mount as well. I made it for a in-person campaign where it's centered around a bunch of pop culture references, old and new.
Krulos, Tyrant of Thunderback
Large Humanoid (Tortle), Lawful Evil, CR 17 (18,000 XP)
Armor Class 18 (Half-Plate)
Hit Points 285 (30d10 + 120)
Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 (+6) | 14 (+2) | 18 (+4) | 13 (+1) | 16 (+3) | 18 (+4) |
Saving Throws Con +10, Wis +9, Cha +10
Skills Animal Handling +9, Intimidation +10, Perception +9
Damage Resistances Lightning
Condition Immunities Frightened
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 19
Languages Common, Draconic
Challenge 17 (18,000 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +6
TRAITS
Beast Cavalier. While mounted on Thunderback, Krulos gains advantage on attack rolls against creatures smaller than Large and cannot be forcibly dismounted unless incapacitated.
Legendary Resistance (1/Day). If Krulos fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.
Tactical Commander. As a reaction when a creature enters Thunderback’s reach, Krulos can command it to make a Bite or Tail Swipe attack.
ACTIONS
Enchanted Sawtooth Glaive. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
Hit: 19 (2d10 + 6) slashing damage plus 9 (2d8) lightning damage.
Charged Boomerang (3/Day). Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 20/60 ft., one target.
Hit: 7 (1d4 + 5) bludgeoning damage plus 7 (2d6) lightning damage. The boomerang returns to Krulos’s hand after the attack.
Alchemist’s Fire (3/Day). Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 30/90 ft., one target.
Hit: 10 (3d6) fire damage. At the start of each of the target’s turns, they take 3 (1d6) fire damage. A creature can end this effect by using its action to make a DC 15 Dexterity check to extinguish the flames.
Crystal Overcharge (Recharge 5–6). Krulos causes the mounted crystal embedded in Thunderback’s skull to emit a sweeping cone of charged lightning.
All creatures in a 60-foot cone must make a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw, taking 45 (10d8) lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much on a success. Objects and terrain in the cone become scorched.
LEGENDARY ACTIONS (3/Turn)
Krulos can take 3 legendary actions, only one at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn.
Weapon Assault. Krulos makes one attack with his Enchanted Sawtooth Glaive or Charged Boomerang.
Threatening Command. Krulos casts command (DC 18), requiring no components. He may choose the usual options (Approach, Drop, Flee, Grovel, Halt), or Pray: The target’s speed becomes 0 and it has disadvantage on its next saving throw. The effect lasts 1 round.
Crystal Overload (Costs 2 Actions). Krulos immediately recharges the Crystal Overcharge ability.
Here is the updated CR 20 stat block for Thunderback, now with Legendary Resistances and no Legendary Actions, formatted in 2024 Monster Manual style and ready to copy and paste:
Thunderback, Siege Tyrant of the Storm
Gargantuan Beast (Enhanced), Unaligned, CR 20 (25,000 XP)
Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 405 (30d20 + 120)
Speed 50 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 (+9) | 11 (+0) | 26 (+8) | 2 (−4) | 14 (+2) | 8 (−1) |
Saving Throws Dex +6, Con +14, Wis +8
Skills Perception +14
Damage Resistances Lightning, Thunder
Condition Immunities Frightened, Deafened
Senses Truesight 30 ft., Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 24
Languages —
Proficiency Bonus +6
TRAITS
Siege Monster. Thunderback deals double damage to objects and structures.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Thunderback fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Enhanced Bond. While Krulos is mounted on Thunderback, they share resistances. Additionally, Thunderback has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, paralyzed, or stunned.
Deafening Roar (Recharge 5–6). Thunderback unleashes a terrifying roar audible up to 1 mile away. Each creature of Thunderback’s choice within 60 feet that can hear it must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. If the target fails by 5 or more, it is also deafened for the same duration. A creature may repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success. A creature that succeeds gains advantage on its next saving throw against this ability.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. Thunderback makes two attacks: one with its Bite and one with its Tail Swipe.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
Hit: 37 (4d12 + 9) piercing damage.
Tail Swipe. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target.
Hit: 28 (3d10 + 9) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 20 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Stomp. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 5 ft., one prone creature.
Hit: 30 (5d10 + 5) bludgeoning damage, and the target is restrained until the end of its next turn unless it succeeds a DC 20 Strength saving throw.