Barbed Devil
Medium Fiend (Devil) · · CR 5
- Fiend (Devil)
- Medium
- Tier 2
Barbed Devil is a medium fiend (devil) of lawful evil alignment, CR 5. Sourced from Monster Manual (5e 2014) and Monster Manual (5.5e 2024).
Stat Block
- Challenge Rating
- 5
- Type
- Fiend (Devil)
- Size
- Medium
- Alignment
- —
- Speed
- —
- Habitats
- —
- Sources
- Monster Manual (5e 2014), Monster Manual (5.5e 2024)
Ecology
Barbed Devils are Hamatula in the diabolic hierarchy, formed in the soul-mills of Avernus from the most cruel and possessive damned souls. They serve as torturers, treasure-guardians, and thugs of higher devils. Their barbed hides are forged from infernal pig-iron and razor-sharp obsidian, requiring constant grooming with whetstone tongues. They subsist on suffering and burnt offerings, gaining strength from agony around them. They reproduce only in Hell, manifesting fully grown from soul-vats.
Behaviour
Greedy, paranoid, and territorial, a Barbed Devil hoards anything of value, stacking trophies and trinkets in nests of broken weapons. They speak Infernal in growls, addressing only those who outrank them in the hierarchy. They take pleasure in slow torture, preferring to grapple victims and let them bleed against the barbs rather than kill quickly. Their suspicion of allies is legendary: every contract has hidden barbs of intent.
Origin
When a soul of a miser or torturer reaches the Nine Hells, it may be reforged into a Barbed Devil if its avarice and cruelty exceed its other sins. Imps that survive long service are sometimes promoted by infernal patrons, or Lemures may be elevated by an archdevil's whim. Each Barbed Devil remembers nothing of its mortal life, only an instinctive hunger for treasure and pain that drives it through eternity.
Related Monsters
Frequently Asked Questions about Barbed Devil
- What is the challenge rating of Barbed Devil?
- On the bestiary CR scale, Barbed Devil sits at 5. It matches tier-2 to early-tier-3 encounter math.
- What type of creature is Barbed Devil?
- By creature type, Barbed Devil is a fiend (devil), medium size.