Sphinx of Valor

Celestial · Large

A great sphinx set by the gods before a sacred threshold, it tests the worth of those who would pass with riddles and trials. Those who fail or try to force the way are torn apart or hurled through time.

Danger

Deadly

How it is met

Alone, by day

Challenge

17

SRD 5.2.1 stat blocks

Sphinx of Valor

Pathfinder Second Edition

Sphinx (level 8, Monster Core)

Hear it

• Androsphinx Death 1 (On Patreon, Guardian tier)
• Lion Moan 1 (On Patreon, Guardian tier)

Where it is met

Also: Ruin, Temple, Celestial

Stat blocks (D&D 5e)

Sphinx of Valor

Large Celestial, Lawful Neutral

AC 17 · Initiative +12 (22)

HP 199 (19d10 + 95)

Speed 40 ft., Fly 60 ft.

Skills Arcana +9, Perception +12, Religion +15

Resistances Necrotic, Radiant

Immunities Psychic; Charmed, Frightened

Senses Truesight 120 ft.; Passive Perception 22

Languages Celestial, Common

CR 17 (XP 18,000, or 20,000 in lair; PB +6)

Traits

Inscrutable. No magic can observe the sphinx remotely or detect its thoughts without its permission. Wisdom (Insight) checks made to ascertain its intentions or sincerity are made with Disadvantage.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day, or 4/Day in Lair). If the sphinx fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Actions

Multiattack. The sphinx makes two Claw attacks and uses Roar.

Claw. Melee Attack Roll: +12, reach 5 ft. Hit: 20 (4d6 + 6) Slashing damage.

Roar (3/Day). The sphinx emits a magical roar. Whenever it roars, the roar has a different effect, as detailed below (the sequence resets when it takes a Long Rest):

First Roar. Wisdom Saving Throw: DC 20, each enemy in a 500-foot Emanation originating from the sphinx. Failure: The target has the Frightened condition for 1 minute.

Second Roar. Wisdom Saving Throw: DC 20, each enemy in a 500-foot Emanation originating from the sphinx. Failure: The target has the Paralyzed condition, and it repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. After 1 minute, it succeeds automatically.

Third Roar. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 20, each enemy in a 500-foot Emanation originating from the sphinx. Failure: 44 (8d10) Thunder damage, and the target has the Prone condition. Success: Half damage only.

Spellcasting. The sphinx casts one of the following spells, requiring no Material components and using Wisdom as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 20):
At Will: Detect Evil and Good, Thaumaturgy
1/Day Each: Detect Magic, Dispel Magic, Greater Restoration, Heroes’ Feast, Zone of Truth

Legendary Actions

Legendary Action Uses: 3 (4 in Lair). Immediately after another creature’s turn, the sphinx can expend a use to take one of the following actions. The sphinx regains all expended uses at the start of each of its turns.

Arcane Prowl. The sphinx can teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space it can see, and it makes one Claw attack.

Weight of Years. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 16, one creature the sphinx can see within 120 feet. Failure: The target gains 1 Exhaustion level. While the target has any Exhaustion levels, it appears 3d10 years older. Failure or Success: The sphinx can’t take this action again until the start of its next turn.

This work includes material from the System Reference Document 5.2.1 ("SRD 5.2.1") by Wizards of the Coast LLC, available at https://www.dndbeyond.com/srd. The SRD 5.2.1 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode.

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