The Beholder is one of the most iconic and feared creatures in the world of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). This multi-eyed, floating horror has haunted the nightmares of many adventurers, and mastering its use, whether as a Dungeon Master (DM) or player, can add depth to your Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e) campaign. In this article, we’ll explore everything there is to know about the Beholder in 5e, from its abilities and tactics to how players can effectively face one in battle.
What Is a Beholder?
The Beholder is a large, spherical creature with a mouth full of sharp teeth and a collection of eye stalks sprouting from its head. These eye stalks aren’t just for show; each one can cast a powerful magical effect. At the center of the Beholder’s body is a single, large central eye that emits an anti-magic cone, disabling all magic within its line of sight.
Beholders are not just physical threats but also psychological ones. They are highly intelligent, paranoid, and full of malice. Each Beholder believes itself to be the pinnacle of existence and views others—even other Beholders—with suspicion and contempt.
Beholder’s Stats and Abilities in 5e
A Beholder is categorized as a Large Aberration with a Challenge Rating (CR) of 13, making it a formidable opponent even for experienced adventuring parties.
Basic Stats:
- Armor Class (AC): 18 (natural armor)
- Hit Points (HP): 180 (19d10 + 76)
- Speed: 0 ft., fly 20 ft. (hover)
- Saving Throws: Int +8, Wis +7, Cha +8
Main Abilities:
- Anti-Magic Cone (Central Eye): The central eye of a Beholder generates a 150-foot cone of anti-magic, suppressing all magic within its range. This makes it a terrifying opponent for magic-dependent parties. As long as you are within the cone, you can’t cast spells, and magical items cease to function.
- Eye Rays (Eye Stalks): The Beholder’s true danger lies in its eye rays. Each turn, the Beholder can fire up to three of its ten rays at random. These rays include devastating effects such as:
- Charm Ray: The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be charmed.
- Paralyzing Ray: A failed Constitution saving throw will leave the target paralyzed.
- Disintegration Ray: A hit from this ray deals massive force damage, capable of reducing a target to dust if their hit points fall to zero.
Using a Beholder in Your Campaign
For Dungeon Masters:
Running a Beholder encounter is all about strategy. Given its vast range of abilities, the Beholder should be treated as a mastermind villain—one that has prepared extensively for battle. Consider placing it in a lair full of traps, environmental hazards, and minions. The Beholder itself will likely keep its distance, floating high above the battlefield while using its eye rays and anti-magic cone to disorient and destroy.
Positioning is key for the Beholder. It will want to keep its enemies within the anti-magic cone but outside of melee range. The cone can also be used to neutralize any magical healing or buffs the adventurers rely on, forcing them into a situation where they must rely on skill and tactics.
For Players:
Facing a Beholder requires more than just brute force. You need to understand its abilities and plan accordingly. Here are a few tips for players:
- Avoid the Anti-Magic Cone: Spellcasters will be largely ineffective if they are caught in the Beholder’s anti-magic cone. Try to stay outside of the cone’s range or use non-magical attacks if you’re trapped within it.
- Focus on the Eyes: The Beholder’s greatest strength comes from its eye stalks. If your DM allows it, consider aiming attacks at the eye stalks to disable its rays. Some DMs may allow players to target individual eye stalks, cutting down the number of eye rays the Beholder can use each round.
- Use Cover: The Beholder’s rays have a range of 120 feet, which means you need to minimize the time spent in its line of sight. Cover and terrain are your best friends in a Beholder battle. Use obstacles to your advantage to avoid getting hit by the deadly rays.
- Coordinate Your Attack: A Beholder is incredibly dangerous when it can focus on one target at a time. Make sure your party spreads out to avoid multiple players getting hit by the same ray. Flank the Beholder from different angles to force it into difficult positioning decisions.
Legendary Actions and Lair Actions
Legendary Actions:
A Beholder can take legendary actions at the end of another creature’s turn. This means it can activate one of its abilities multiple times during combat. Most commonly, it will use its Eye Ray ability as a legendary action.
Lair Actions:
If the Beholder is encountered in its lair, it can use additional lair actions to influence the battlefield. These actions happen on initiative count 20 and provide the Beholder with an even greater advantage. Some examples include:
- Shifting Walls: The Beholder can manipulate the structure of its lair, moving walls to trap or separate enemies.
- Gravitational Shift: It can alter gravity in specific areas, causing adventurers to be flung around the room or pinned to the ground.
Beholder Variants
While the classic Beholder is terrifying enough, there are several variants to keep things fresh and unpredictable. Here are a few notable types:
- Death Tyrant: A Beholder that has embraced undeath. Its body is skeletal, and its central eye emits a deathly energy rather than anti-magic. A Death Tyrant’s lair is filled with undead minions, making it a double threat to any adventuring party.
- Spectator: A lesser form of a Beholder, the Spectator serves as a guardian for magical locations. It has fewer eye stalks but can still pack a punch.
- Gazer: The smallest and least powerful of the Beholder-kin, Gazers are often used as familiars by evil spellcasters. Though weak, they can still cause trouble with their limited eye rays.
Conclusion: Mastering the Beholder in 5e
The Beholder is one of the most complex and dangerous creatures in Dungeons & Dragons 5e. Whether you’re a Dungeon Master trying to challenge your players or a party member trying to survive, understanding the Beholder’s abilities, tactics, and weaknesses is crucial. Keep in mind that this creature is as intelligent as it is deadly, so expect it to use its environment and abilities to full effect. Prepare well, fight smart, and always be aware of those floating, terrifying eyes
