Buy me a coffee“Fiendish Elder Black Pudding: Abyssal Ooze of Endless Hunger and Corrosion”
“Fiendish Elder Black Pudding — the gargantuan, acid‑forged oozes born of fiendish dread, crawling nightmares that dissolve steel and sanity alike.”
A terrifying apex of the ooze family, the Fiendish Elder Black Pudding is an ancient, gargantuan horror twisted by infernal energies and eons of subterranean existence — a living maelstrom of corrosive sludge that drags entire adventuring parties into oblivion with relentless hunger and fiendish fury.
Appearance
A massive, undulating mass of jet‑black ichor and glistening tendrils, the Fiendish Elder Black Pudding towers over foes like a living abyss. Its amorphous body seems warped by demonic influence — edges crackling with infernal heat and pits that ooze phosphorescent acid. Unlike lesser puddings, it flickers with malevolent gleams, as if cursed eyes lurk just beneath the surface.
Behaviour
Unlike its mindless kin, this elder ooze exhibits a grim, predatory intelligence, stalking dark corridors with calculated patience. It drifts forward in slow, irresistible waves, its acidic whispers seeping into stone and bone alike while it bides its time to engulf victims.
Habitat
Found deep beneath cursed temples, infernal rifts, or abandoned strongholds, the Fiendish Elder Black Pudding claims vast, labyrinthine caverns as its domain. It favors places where shadows are thick and life is scarce, yet where the brave or foolish still wander.
Modus Operandi
This behemoth attacks with crushing pseudopods that sear flesh and armor, dragging those it touches into its corrosive bulk. Its body dissolves metal and organic matter alike, and when struck by conventional weapons, it may split into smaller—but still deadly—offspring before reforming. Its climb and squeeze abilities let it pursue prey across ceilings and through narrow fissures.
Motivation
Driven by an insatiable hunger sharpened by fiendish corruption, the Fiendish Elder Black Pudding seeks not merely sustenance but the destruction and transformation of all that it touches, as if compelled to extend its acidic dominion and consume anything of life or craft in its path.
Fiendish Elder Black Pudding 5e 2024
Fiendish Elder Black Pudding, Pathfinder
Fiendish Elder Black Pudding
Fiendish Elder Black Pudding
Huge ooze (fiend‑tainted), unaligned
Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 304 (23d12 + 161)
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 (+6) | 8 (−1) | 25 (+7) | 6 (−2) | 12 (+1) | 8 (−1) |
Saving Throws Con +14, Wis +7
Skills Perception +7, Stealth +5
Damage Resistances cold; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from magical attacks
Damage Immunities acid, fire, lightning, poison
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, frightened, prone
Senses blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius), passive Perception 17
Languages —
Challenge 18 (20,000 XP)
Fiendish Traits
Amorphous. The pudding can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing.
Infernal Corrosive. A creature that touches the pudding or hits it with a melee attack while within 10 feet takes 10 (3d6) acid damage.
Spider Climb. The pudding can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
Fiendish Awareness. The pudding detects any creature within 60 feet that is Greater than Huge, organic, or carrying metal.
Actions
Multiattack. The pudding makes three pseudopod attacks.
Pseudopod. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
Hit: 29 (4d10 + 6) bludgeoning damage plus 27 (6d8) acid damage.
If the target is wearing nonmagical armor, the armor takes a permanent and cumulative −1 penalty to AC (to a minimum of 10).
Engulf (Recharge 5–6). The pudding moves up to its speed and enters a Large or smaller creature’s space. A creature in that space must succeed on a DC 22 Dexterity saving throw or be engulfed: restrained, blinded, and taking 42 (12d6) acid damage at the start of each of the pudding’s turns. An engulfed creature can escape by using its action to make a DC 22 Strength check.
Reactions
Split (Ooze Trait). When the pudding is subjected to lightning or slashing damage, it splits into two new puddings if it has at least 30 hit points. Each new pudding has hit points equal to half the original’s current hit points (rounded down) and acts immediately after the original.
Legendary Actions
The Fiendish Elder Black Pudding can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below.
Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn.
- Acidic Surge. The pudding spews acid in a 15‑foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 22 Constitution save, taking 27 (6d8) acid damage on a failure, or half as much on a success.
- Tendril Slam. The pudding makes one pseudopod attack.
- Blackened Ground (2 Actions). The pudding’s body sprays infernal ooze in a 20‑foot radius. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 22 Strength saving throw or have its speed reduced to 0 until the end of its next turn.
Combat & Tactics
The Fiendish Elder Black Pudding lurks in deep lairs saturated with foul energies. It prefers ambushes from ceilings or narrow passages, using Infernal Corrosive to punish foes who try to close. In battle, it rushes straight for the most dangerous opponent, attempting to Engulf them while using Acidic Surge to disrupt tight formations. If struck by lightning or a powerful slashing weapon, it uses Split to overwhelm foes with numbers and momentum.
Fiendish Elder Black Pudding (CR 14)
XP 38,400
N Gargantuan ooze (fiend‑tainted)
Init –2; Senses blindsight 60 ft.; Perception +12
DEFENSE
AC 32, touch 10, flat‑footed 32 (–2 Dex, +24 natural)
hp 270 (20d8+180)
Fort +20, Ref +5, Will +6
Defensive Abilities ooze traits, split, fiendish corrosion; Immune acid, fire, poison; Resist cold 10
DR 10/—; SR 18
OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft.
Melee slam +24 (4d10+12 plus 2d8 acid)
Special Attacks constrict (4d10+12 plus 2d8 acid), corrosion (DC 29), engulf (DC 28)
Spell‑Like Abilities (CL 14th; concentration +14)
• At will — detect thoughts (DC 17), see invisibility, telekinesis (DC 22)
• 3/day — blight (DC 24), cloudkill (DC 25), summon monster IX (oozes only, 9 rounds)
STATISTICS
Str 34, Dex 6, Con 29, Int 2, Wis 15, Cha 8
Base Atk +15; CMB +31 (+35 grapple); CMD 45 (cannot be tripped)
Feats Awesome Blow, Cleave, Greater Bull Rush, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (slam)
Skills Climb +30, Perception +12
Languages —
ECOLOGY & LORE
Fiendish Elder Black Puddings are nightmarish aberrations found deep beneath cursed temples, infernal ruins, and rifted caverns where Abyssal or Infernal energies seep into the land. Scholars theorize these horrors form when elemental ooze merges with fiendish essence and centuries of acidic hunger, creating an entity that dissolves both flesh and metal with equal contempt. While most oozes react only to heat or vibration, fiendish puddings seem to seek out intelligent life, drawn by the resonance of thought and magical signatures.
SPECIAL ABILITIES
- Ooze Traits (Ex). Immune to mind‑affecting effects (except compulsion), poison, sleep, paralysis, polymorph, and stunning; no Constitution score; does not breathe, eat, or sleep.
- Split (Ex). When reduced to 120 hp or fewer, a fiendish elder black pudding that would be damaged by slashing or piercing attacks must first succeed on a DC 25 Will save or split into two puddings. Each new pudding has half the original’s current hp and acts immediately.
- Fiendish Corrosion (Ex). Creatures that begin their turn within 10 feet take 2d6 acid damage as fiend‑tainted vapors corrode armor and flesh (Fort DC 27 half).
- Corrosion (Ex). Creatures struck by the pudding’s acid must succeed on a DC 29 Fortitude save or have armor and gear corrode (–2 penalty to AC and bonuses; cumulative).
Engulf (Ex). As a standard action, the pudding may engulf one or more creatures within its space. Targets must succeed on a DC 28 Reflex save or be engulfed: restrained and taking 6d8 acid damage each round. Escape DC 29.
TACTICS
Before Combat: The fiendish elder black pudding slithers silently beneath stone and bone, using detect thoughts to identify where flesh and magic converge before revealing itself. It often lurks beneath treasure hoards or in tunnels likely to funnel unsuspecting adventurers into its amorphous grasp.
During Combat: It opens with telekinesis to disrupt spellcasters or isolate key opponents, then pursues heavy hitters with slam and constrict, seeking to either corrode armor or engulf vulnerable foes. When injured, it forces the split ability to create a pair of threats, overwhelming parties not prepared for multi‑target acid damage.
Morale: Cruel and instinctive, it fights viciously until only insubstantial residues remain, retreating only if its form becomes little more than sap.
TYPICAL ENVIRONMENT & ORGANIZATION
Environment: Any underground or fiend‑touched terrain
Organization: Solitary
Treasure: None
Fiendish Elder Black Pudding
The most ancient black puddings are vast pools of inky death.
| Fiendish Elder Black Pudding | |
| Gargantuan ooze (extraplanar) | |
| Hit Dice | 20d10+180 (380 hp) |
| Initiative | -5 |
| Speed | 20 ft. (4 squares), Climb 20 ft. |
| Armor Class | 1 (-4 size, -5 Dexterity), touch 1, flat-footed 1 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +15/+35 |
| Attack | Slam +19 melee (3d6+12 plus 3d6 acid) |
| Full Attack | Slam +19 melee (3d6+12 plus 3d6 acid) |
| Space/Reach | 20 ft./20 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Acid, constrict 2d8+12 plus 2d6 acid, improved grab |
| Special Qualities | Blindsight 60 ft., split, ooze traits, Darkvision 60, Damage Reduction 10/Magic, Cold & Fire Resistance 10, Spell Resistance 25 |
| Saves | Fort +15, Ref +1, Will +1 |
| Abilities | Strength 26, Dexterity 1, Constitution 28, Intelligence 3, Wisdom 1, Charisma 1 |
| Skills | Climb+16 |
| Feats | – |
| Environment | Any evil-aligned plane. |
| Organization | Solitary |
| Challenge Rating | 14 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always evil (any). |
| Advancement | – |
| Level Adjustment | – |
Combat
A Fiendish Elder Black Pudding attacks by grabbing and squeezing their prey.
Acid (Ex): The creature secretes a digestive acid that dissolves organic material and metal quickly, but does not affect stone. Any melee hit or constrict attack deals acid damage, and the opponents armor and clothing dissolve and become useless immediately unless they succeed on DC 29 Reflex saves. A metal or wooden weapon that strikes a black pudding also dissolves immediately unless it succeeds on a DC 29 Reflex save. The save DCs are Constitution-based.
The pudding’s acidic touch deals 21 points of damage per round to wooden or metal objects, but the ooze must remain in contact with the object for 1 full round to deal this damage.
Constrict (Ex): A black pudding deals automatic slam and acid damage with a successful grapple check. The opponent’s clothing and armor take a 4 penalty on Reflex saves against the acid.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a black pudding must hit with its slam attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can constrict.
Smite Good (Su): Once per day the creature can make a normal melee attack to deal extra damage equal to its HD total (maximum of +20) against a good foe.
Split (Ex): Slashing and piercing weapons deal no damage to a black pudding. Instead the creature splits into two identical puddings, each with half of the original’s current hit points (round down). A pudding with 10 hit points or less cannot be further split and dies if reduced to 0 hit points.
Skills: A black pudding has a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on a Climb check, even if rushed or threatened.