Zaratan
Gargantuan Monstrosity · Unaligned · CR 26
- Monstrosity
- Gargantuan
- Tier 4
Ranges across underwater, desert, forest, grassland, hill, mountain, and underground; Zaratan lists at CR 26 as a gargantuan monstrosity (unaligned). Sourced from Tome of Beasts 1 and Monsters of the Multiverse.
Stat Block
- Challenge Rating
- 26
- Type
- Monstrosity
- Size
- Gargantuan
- Alignment
- Unaligned
- Speed
- 10, swim 50
- Habitats
- Underwater, Desert, Forest, Grassland, Hill, Mountain, Underground
- Sources
- Tome of Beasts 1, Monsters of the Multiverse, Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
Ecology
Zaratan is a magical creature outside the normal ecological taxonomy — too constructed to be a beast, too natural to be an aberration. It is most often found in underwater regions. It is gargantuan-sized, which shapes how it hunts, hides, or fights. As a legendary creature, it is rare in the world and likely the only specimen of its kind in the local region.
Behaviour
Zaratan is territorial and aggressive; rarely capable of negotiation in any meaningful way. Its alignment varies by individual or is irrelevant — it acts on instinct, drive, or whoever commands it. It is largely instinct-driven; complex strategy is the work of whoever (or whatever) commands it.
Origin
Zaratan is introduced in Kobold Press's Tome of Beasts 1 (2016) and reprinted in Monsters of the Multiverse and expanded in Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes. Within a campaign, its existence anchors a region with the kind of weight only an old, named species carries.
Related Monsters
Frequently Asked Questions about Zaratan
- What is the challenge rating of Zaratan?
- Zaratan has a challenge rating of 26. It matches the highest-tier encounter math.
- What type of creature is Zaratan?
- Zaratan is classified as a monstrosity in D&D 5e, gargantuan size, unaligned alignment.
- Where does Zaratan live?
- The bestiary places Zaratan in Underwater, Desert, Forest, Grassland, Hill, Mountain, Underground.