Incubus
Medium Fiend · · CR 4
- Fiend
- Medium
- Tier 1
Ranges across urban and planar; Incubus lists at CR 4 as a medium fiend (neutral evil). Sourced from Monster Manual (5e 2014) and Monster Manual (5.5e 2024).
Stat Block
- Challenge Rating
- 4
- Type
- Fiend
- Size
- Medium
- Alignment
- —
- Speed
- —
- Habitats
- Urban, Planar
- Sources
- Monster Manual (5e 2014), Monster Manual (5.5e 2024)
Ecology
Incubi dwell in the Lower Planes between feedings, particularly the Abyss and the Nine Hells, depending on alignment. They feed on mortal vitality drained through dream-visits and intimate encounters. They reproduce rarely, with cambion offspring sometimes born to mortal partners. They live for centuries or longer, adapting to mortal cultures by learning languages, customs, and seductive techniques. They despise direct combat, preferring slow corruption. They share territory with succubi, often the same entity in alternate form.
Behaviour
Incubi are charming, manipulative, and emotionally cold. They study mortal psychology to find each victim's deepest vulnerabilities. They appear as idealized lovers, drawing victims into willing surrender. They drain HP and life-force through draining kisses, slowly killing while granting pleasure. They flee threats via Etherealness, returning later for revenge. They form short-term alliances with cultists and corrupt nobles. They despise honest love, viewing emotional sincerity as a threat to their feeding.
Origin
Incubi and succubi are the same fiend in alternate forms, choosing presentation based on the prey. Their origin is debated: some say they were created by Asmodeus to corrupt mortals, others that they emerged from the Abyss as chaos-fiends, later co-opted by infernal lords. Cambion offspring sometimes ascend to incubus status if they fully embrace fiendish nature. Their bargains with mortals echo devil contracts but are softer, more personal, and ultimately just as binding.
Related Monsters
Frequently Asked Questions about Incubus
- What is the challenge rating of Incubus?
- Incubus's challenge rating is 4. A party in this band matches tier-1 encounter math.
- What type of creature is Incubus?
- Incubus is classified as a fiend in D&D 5e, medium size.
- Where does Incubus live?
- In the bestiary, Incubus appears in Urban, Planar.