Creating a Flesh Golem in Dungeons Dragons 5th Edition: A Guide for Gamemasters and Players

The ability to create a flesh golem is a powerful and evocative aspect of Dungeons Dragons 5th Edition (DD 5E) that can add a tragic and terrifying element to your campaign. This guide will walk you through the process of including a flesh golem in your game, providing insights and suggestions for customization.

Flesh Golem Overview

A flesh golem is typically created through dark magic and the reanimation of dead tissue. Here is a brief overview of how to include a flesh golem in your game:

Creature Type

Construct

Challenge Rating

5

Hit Points

93 (11d10 33)

Armor Class

9 (natural armor)

Speed

30 ft.

Traits

Immutable Form: The golem is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form. Magic Resistance: The golem has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. Antimagic Susceptibility: The golem is incapacitated while in the area of an antimagic field.

Actions

Multiattack: The flesh golem makes two attacks with its slam.

Slam: Melee Weapon Attack: 8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 4) bludgeoning damage.

Creation

To create a flesh golem, a caster typically needs:

Materials: Parts from various dead creatures, usually humanoids, and a significant amount of necromantic magic. Spell: The creation usually involves the Animate Dead spell or a similar powerful ritual. Time: The process can take several days or even longer, depending on the DM's discretion.

Roleplaying a Flesh Golem

When incorporating a flesh golem into your campaign, consider the following aspects:

Background

Flesh golems are often created by mad scientists or necromancers seeking to play god. They may have a tragic backstory tied to their creator, reflecting their motivations and the morality of their actions.

Behavior

They often lack free will and follow their creators' commands. However, they can be portrayed as confused or tormented beings, providing complexity and depth to the encounter.

Encounters

Flesh golems can serve as guardians for a necromancer's lair or as muscle for an evil cult. They can also be used in more complex scenarios, such as serving as a key element in a larger plot or as the antagonist in a specific encounter.

Adventure Hooks

A party might encounter a flesh golem when investigating strange disappearances in a village, leading them to a hidden lab where a necromancer is conducting experiments. The golem could serve as both a combat challenge and a key to uncovering the mystery.

Customization

Feel free to customize the flesh golem to fit your campaigns theme and tone! Consider modifying its appearance, abilities, or backstory to make it unique and engaging for your players.