Barghest
Creature 4 — beast, unholy
ShadeCrasherLANDbeastunholycurse
Barghests are canine beasts that take great joy in the hunt, often lurking near humanoid settlements to find prey that can provide a suitable challenge. Even in the deepest wilderness, barghests choose the most clever or difficult prey, searching endlessly for challenges like giants, nymphs, and unicorns. More than victory or even the possibility of a meal at the end, barghests enjoy the thrill of the chase and the fear they create within their prey. Particularly terrified targets of a hunting
Source: pathfinder-monster-core
Perception +12; darkvision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
Languages common, goblin, fey, jotun
Skills athletics +13, deception +11, diplomacy +9, intimidation +11, stealth +10, survival +12
Str
+5
Dex
+2
Con
+3
Int
+2
Wis
+2
Cha
+3
AC 20
Fort +11
Ref +12
Will +8
HP 50
Resistances physical (except cold-iron) 5
Weaknesses holy 5
Speed 25 feet
Offense
Melee Claw (agile, unarmed, unholy) +13, Damage 2d6+5 slashing plus Unhealing Wound
Abilities
Primal Hunt (primal, teleportation) —
Change Shape (concentrate, polymorph, primal) — The barghest takes on the shape of a humanoid, a dog, or its true form. Their size changes to match the new form. When the barghest is a humanoid, their claw Strike deals bludgeoning damage and they lose their jaws Strike. When the barghest is a dog, their Speed changes to 35 feet. Each individual barghest has only one humanoid form and one dog form.
The monster changes its shape indefinitely. It can use this action again to return to its natural shape or adopt a new shape. Unless otherwise noted, a monster cannot use Change Shape to appear as a specific individual. Using Change Shape counts as creating a disguise for the Impersonate use of Deception. The monster's transformation automatically defeats Perception DCs to determine whether the creature is a member of the ancestry or creature type into which it transformed, and it gains a +4 status bonus to its Deception DC to prevent others from seeing through its disguise. Change Shape abilities specify what shapes the monster can adopt. The monster doesn't gain any special abilities of the new shape, only its physical form. For example, in each shape, it replaces its normal Speeds and Strikes, and might potentially change its senses or size. Any changes are listed in its stat block.
The monster changes its shape indefinitely. It can use this action again to return to its natural shape or adopt a new shape. Unless otherwise noted, a monster cannot use Change Shape to appear as a specific individual. Using Change Shape counts as creating a disguise for the Impersonate use of Deception. The monster's transformation automatically defeats Perception DCs to determine whether the creature is a member of the ancestry or creature type into which it transformed, and it gains a +4 status bonus to its Deception DC to prevent others from seeing through its disguise. Change Shape abilities specify what shapes the monster can adopt. The monster doesn't gain any special abilities of the new shape, only its physical form. For example, in each shape, it replaces its normal Speeds and Strikes, and might potentially change its senses or size. Any changes are listed in its stat block.
Unhealing Wound (curse, primal) — A creature damaged by the barghest's claws must succeed at a DC 21 Fortitude save or be cursed. The cursed creature can't regain Hit Points except via magic until it returns to maximum Hit Points. The creature can attempt a new saving throw against the curse every 24 hours.
Knockdown —
Primal Innate Spells DC 21, attack +13
2nd Invisibility, Mist
Cantrips (2nd) Figment, Light
WORKS WELL WITH
AnvilLANDA durable frontline body draws attention while this shapeshifter infiltrates in disguise to land its curse unseen.
SnareLANDA controller that keeps a cursed target in place denies it any chance to retreat and seek magical healing.
FlankerLANDA mobile striker can capitalize on the confusion this shapeshifter's disguise creates before the party identifies the real threat.
PUNISHES
✖ reliance on healing✖ trusting disguises✖ melee reliance
Works well with · Punishes · Pairing advice
Unlock with Tactics
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