CR 5 – Plant – Dire Arboreal Warden
Tier 2 play
**Monster Name**: Dire Arboreal Warden
**Size, Type, Alignment**: Large Plant, Neutral
**Core Stats**: Armor Class (AC): 15, Hit Points (HP): 85, Speed: 30 ft.
**Ability Scores**:
Strength 20 (+5),
Dexterity 12 (+1),
Constitution 18 (+4),
Intelligence 2 (-4),
Wisdom 16 (+3),
Charisma 1 (-5)
**Proficiencies**: Saving Throws: Constitution +7, Wisdom +6
Skills: Perception +6, Stealth +5
Damage Resistances: Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities: Poison, Psychic
Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened, Paralyzed
**Senses**: Blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius), Passive Perception 16
Languages: Understands Sylvan but cannot speak
Challenge Rating (CR): 5
**Special Abilities**:
– **Rooted Resilience**: The Dire Arboreal Warden has advantage on saving throws against being knocked prone or moved against its will.
– **Nature's Grasp**: As a bonus action, the Warden can cause vines to sprout in a 15-foot radius around it, ensnaring creatures. Affected creatures must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be restrained until the end of their next turn.
**Actions**:
– **Multiattack**: The Dire Arboreal Warden makes two slam attacks.
– **Slam**: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
– **Vine Whip**: Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range 30 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be pulled 10 feet closer to the Warden.
– **Entangling Vines (Recharge 5-6)**: The Warden can create a 20-foot radius area of difficult terrain centered on itself. Creatures in that area must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or become restrained until the end of their next turn.
**Description**: The Dire Arboreal Warden is a massive, sentient plant creature that stands as a guardian of ancient forests. Its bark-like skin is adorned with vibrant moss and creeping vines that writhe and move as if alive. These wardens are known to be fiercely protective of their territory, often using their natural camouflage to ambush intruders. They prefer to ensnare foes with their vines before delivering crushing blows with their powerful limbs. While they are not inherently malevolent, they will not hesitate to defend their domain against perceived threats, making them formidable opponents in the wild.