Minotaur Skeleton
Large Undead · · CR 2
- Undead
- Large
- Tier 1
Minotaur Skeleton is a large undead of lawful evil alignment, CR 2. Found in underground. Sourced from Monster Manual (5e 2014) and Monster Manual (5.5e 2024).
Stat Block
- Challenge Rating
- 2
- Type
- Undead
- Size
- Large
- Alignment
- —
- Speed
- —
- Habitats
- Underground
- Sources
- Monster Manual (5e 2014), Monster Manual (5.5e 2024)
Ecology
Minotaur skeletons inhabit places where minotaur warriors fell and were animated, most often labyrinths, ancient battlefields, and ruined temples to dark gods. They serve necromancers, undead lords, or the lingering will of curses bound into the original bones. They do not eat, sleep, or reproduce; their numbers grow only as new minotaurs die in places where unlife clings thick. They guard sites for centuries, indifferent to weather, looters, or the slow erosion of stone around them.
Behaviour
A minotaur skeleton retains the original creature's instinct for charging combat but none of its memories or personality. It executes simple commands and falls into default aggression patterns when no command is given, attacking the nearest threat or following the last instruction it received. Without a controller it simply stands or paces a bound area until disturbed, at which point it charges, kills if it can, and returns to its post.
Origin
The first minotaur skeletons emerged in Greco-myth-styled labyrinths, animated by priests of dark gods to guard mazes after their living minotaur champions were killed. Necromancers later adopted the practice across many traditions because minotaur bones are large, durable, and easy to animate with high resilience. Some labyrinth-keepers built skeleton armies preemptively, arranging for their living minotaurs to die in specific spots so the lair would never lack for guards.
Related Monsters
Frequently Asked Questions about Minotaur Skeleton
- What is the challenge rating of Minotaur Skeleton?
- On the bestiary CR scale, Minotaur Skeleton sits at 2. It matches tier-1 encounter math.
- What type of creature is Minotaur Skeleton?
- By creature type, Minotaur Skeleton is a undead, large size.
- Where does Minotaur Skeleton live?
- Minotaur Skeleton's listed habitats include Underground.