Gelatinous Cube 5e
The gelatinous cube is a Large ooze of challenge rating 2 (450 XP) with AC 6, 63 hit points and a 15-foot speed in the 2024 rules. It engulfs creatures in its path on a failed DC 12 Dexterity save, dealing 10 (3d6) acid damage and 10 more at the start of each of its turns while they suffocate inside.
Press a button to roll for the gelatinous cube.
Gelatinous Cube stat block
Large Ooze, Unaligned
| Armor Class | 6 |
| Hit Points | 63 (6d10 + 30) |
| Speed | 15 ft. |
| Challenge | 2 (450 XP; proficiency bonus +2) |
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 (+2) | 3 (−4) | 20 (+5) | 1 (−5) | 6 (−2) | 1 (−5) |
- Damage immunities: acid
- Condition immunities: Blinded, Charmed, Deafened, Exhaustion, Frightened, Prone
- Senses: Blindsight 60 ft., Passive Perception 8
- Languages: None
Traits
Ooze Cube. The cube fills its entire space and is transparent. Other creatures can enter that space, but a creature that does so is subjected to the cube’s Engulf and has Disadvantage on the saving throw. Creatures inside the cube have Total Cover, and the cube can hold one Large creature or up to four Medium or Small creatures inside itself at a time. As an action, a creature within 5 feet of the cube can pull a creature or an object out of the cube by succeeding on a DC 12 Strength (Athletics) check, and the puller takes 10 (3d6) Acid damage.
Transparent. Even when the cube is in plain sight, a creature must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check to notice the cube if the creature hasn’t witnessed the cube move or otherwise act.
Actions
Pseudopod. Melee Attack Roll: +4, reach 5 ft. Hit: 12 (3d6 + 2) Acid damage.
Engulf. The cube moves up to its Speed without provoking Opportunity Attacks. The cube can move through the spaces of Large or smaller creatures if it has room inside itself to contain them (see the Ooze Cube trait). Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 12, each creature whose space the cube enters for the first time during this move. Failure: 10 (3d6) Acid damage, and the target is engulfed. An engulfed target is suffocating, can’t cast spells with a Verbal component, has the Restrained condition, and takes 10 (3d6) Acid damage at the start of each of the cube’s turns. When the cube moves, the engulfed target moves with it. An engulfed target can try to escape by taking an action to make a DC 12 Strength (Athletics) check. On a successful check, the target escapes and enters the nearest unoccupied space. Success: Half damage, and the target moves to an unoccupied space within 5 feet of the cube. If there is no unoccupied space, the target fails the save instead.
How to run the gelatinous cube
Fill the corridor: A 10-foot cube in a 10-foot hallway is a moving wall. Spotting it takes a DC 15 Perception check if it hasn't moved, and when it Engulfs, anyone with no free space to step aside fails the save automatically. In a dead-end corridor that means the whole front rank gets swallowed.
Life inside: An engulfed creature is restrained, suffocating, can't cast spells with a Verbal component and takes 10 acid damage a round. Getting out takes an action and a DC 12 Athletics check. A friend can pull you out with the same check, but they take 10 (3d6) acid damage for reaching in. Roll it on the d6 roller.
How to beat it: AC 6 means almost every attack hits, and a 15-foot speed means everyone can walk away from it. Fight in open rooms, keep ranged characters behind the front line, and never stand in a corridor with nowhere to dodge. The 2014 cube was nastier: 84 hit points and 21 (6d6) acid a round to anyone inside. See conditions in 5e for what restrained does.
Gelatinous Cube: 2014 vs 2024
| 2014 Monster Manual | 2024 Monster Manual / SRD 5.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Hit points | 84 (8d10 + 40) | 63 (6d10 + 30) |
| Engulf damage per turn | 21 (6d6) acid | 10 (3d6) acid |
| Pseudopod | 10 (3d6) acid | 12 (3d6 + 2) acid |
| Immunities | None (condition immunities only) | Acid damage |
| Challenge | 2 (450 XP) | 2 (450 XP) |
Gelatinous Cube FAQ
What CR is a gelatinous cube?
A gelatinous cube is challenge rating 2, worth 450 XP, in both editions.
How do you escape a gelatinous cube?
Use your action for a DC 12 Strength (Athletics) check. On a success you move to the nearest free space. An ally next to the cube can also pull you out with the same check, taking 10 (3d6) acid damage.
Can you see a gelatinous cube?
It is transparent. If it hasn't moved or acted, noticing it takes a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check, even in plain sight.
Can you cast spells inside a gelatinous cube?
In the 2024 rules an engulfed creature can't cast spells that have a Verbal component. Spells with only Somatic or Material components still work.
Related
Monsters of similar challenge
- Animated Armor (CR 1)
- Brass Dragon Wyrmling (CR 1)
- Brown Bear (CR 1)
- Bugbear Warrior (CR 1)
- Copper Dragon Wyrmling (CR 1)
- Death Dog (CR 1)
- Dire Wolf (CR 1)
- Dryad (CR 1)
- Ghoul (CR 1)
- Giant Eagle (CR 1)
- Giant Hyena (CR 1)
- Giant Octopus (CR 1)
Rules are summarised in our own words; monster stat blocks are reproduced from the SRD. This work includes material from the System Reference Document 5.2 ("SRD 5.2") by Wizards of the Coast LLC, available at dndbeyond.com/srd. The SRD 5.2 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Card icons by Lorc and Delapouite from game-icons.net, licensed under CC BY 3.0.
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Contains content from the System Reference Document 5.1 and 5.2 by Wizards of the Coast LLC, used under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.