Building a Better Basilisk¶
The Basilisk is one of D&D’s most iconic monsters. But, it can fall flat. Let's build a better Basilisk by adding custom powers, better mechanics, and rich encounter ideas using Foe Foundry.
Challenges with the 2024 and 2014 Basilisk¶
The Basilisk has always had iconic flavor: petrifying gaze, venomous bite, and a reputation as a wilderness horror. But, in both the 2014 Monster Manual and the 2024 Monster Manual, it ends up feeling underwhelming in play. In the 2014 version, the petrification ability is an interactive ability that, in theory, creates a fun little standoff: do you avert your gaze or risk turning to stone? But, in practice it was clunky to run and bogged down combat with constant questions.
The 2024 version sidesteps that issue by turning the petrification ability into a bonus action cone area of effect. This simplifies the ability and removes the clunkiness, but it also removes the interactivity. After that, it just bites. And bites. And that's it.
What I Changed¶
The goal was to preserve interactivity without the overhead - so I reworked petrification as a reaction. If a creature hits the Basilisk, casts a spell at it, or otherwise makes direct visual contact, the basilisk can respond with a petrifying glare. No need for the "avert your eyes" mechanic - the DM just triggers the reaction when appropriate.
Petrifying Glance
Traits
Petrification. The basilisk can turn creatures to stone. When affected, the creature must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be Restrained. At the end of its next turn, the creature repeats the save. If it fails, it is Petrified.
Reactions (3/turn)
Petrifying Glance. If a creature within 60 feet looks at the basilisk (such as to make an attack or target it with a spell or ability), then the basilisk uses Petrification on that creature.
A Better Basilisk Statblock¶
Let's see these changes in action. Using Foe Foundry, we can summon many different variations of the basilisk, each with their own unique combination of basilisk powers.
Basilisk
Summoned with Foe FoundryMedium Monstrosity (Basilisk)
AC 14 Initiative -1 (9)
HP 65 (10d8 + 20)
Speed 30 ft.
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Str | 18 | +4 | +4 |
| Dex | 8 | -1 | -1 |
| Con | 14 | +2 | +2 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Int | 4 | -3 | -3 |
| Wis | 8 | -1 | -1 |
| Cha | 7 | -2 | -2 |
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 9
CR 3 (700 XP; PB +2)
Traits
Petrification. The basilisk can turn creatures to stone. When affected, the creature must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be Restrained. At the end of its next turn, the creature repeats the save. If it fails, it is Petrified.
Actions
Multiattack. The basilisk makes two Venomous Bite attacks.
Venomous Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage and 4 (1d8) poison damage.
Reactions (3/turn)
Petrifying Glance. If a creature within 60 feet looks at the basilisk (such as to make an attack or target it with a spell or ability), then the basilisk uses Petrification on that creature.
Retributive Strike. When a creature the basilisk can see hits it with a melee attack, the basilisk can make an attack against its attacker. If the basilisk is below 30 hp then the attack is made with advantage.
Stone Molt (1/day). When hit by an attack, the basilisk violently molts its stone scales. It gains resistance to a damage type of its choice until the end of its next turn and the molted scales create difficult terrain for other creatures in a 10 foot radius around the basilisk.
12 Powers for Better Basilisks¶
Below are twelve powers I've created to make basilisks more dynamic, flavorful, and fun to run. You don't need all of them. Just pick a few that support the kind of creature or encounter you want to build. Or, use the Foe Foundry Monster Generator to automatically create different monster variants!
Petrification Variants¶
Petrifying Glance
Traits
Petrification. The basilisk can turn creatures to stone. When affected, the creature must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be Restrained. At the end of its next turn, the creature repeats the save. If it fails, it is Petrified.
Reactions (3/turn)
Petrifying Glance. If a creature within 60 feet looks at the basilisk (such as to make an attack or target it with a spell or ability), then the basilisk uses Petrification on that creature.
Framing Petrifying Glance as a reaction streamlines the ability in play. As a GM, you no longer have to ask players if they are choosing to avert their gaze or not. Instead, you just trigger the reaction if the PC looks at the basilisk. Then, in future rounds, the players can describe whether they are taking steps to avert their gaze, in which case the reaction won't trigger, but the player will be at disadvantage for any attacks (or unable to target the basilisk with a spell).
Petrifying Bite
Traits
Petrification. The gorgon can turn creatures to stone. When affected, the creature must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be Restrained. At the end of its next turn, the creature repeats the save. If it fails, it is Petrified.
Petrifying Bite. On a hit, the target must save or be affected by Petrification.
If you want a variation on petrification, you can use Petrifying Bite to mix things up. The basilisk still has the iconic petrification, but this time it's based on its petrifying venom.
Petrifying Gaze
Traits
Petrification. The basilisk can turn creatures to stone. When affected, the creature must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be Restrained. At the end of its next turn, the creature repeats the save. If it fails, it is Petrified.
Bonus Actions
Petrifying Gaze (Recharge 4-6). Each creature in a 30-foot cone is affected by the the basilisk's Petrification
If you do prefer your petrification as a bonus action, then you can always apply the Petrifying Gaze power to copy the 2024 Monster Manual design. With Foe Foundry you can easily swap out powers for your monsters to customize them as you'd like!
Predatory Instincts¶
Burrowing Ambush
Bonus Actions
Burrowing Ambush (1/day). The ankheg can burrow up to its burrowing speed without provoking opportunity attacks, and then resurface. If within melee range of an enemy, it makes an attack with advantage.
With Burrowing Ambush, you can set up some pretty nasty ambushes where a group of basilisks pop out and engage the party. Note that this power also grants the creature a burrow speed when applied to a monster.
Stone Eater
Traits
Stone Eater. If the basilisk deals damage to a Petrified creature, it regains that many hitpoints.
Stone Eater is a fun and interesting ability that can provoke tense, dramatic scenes at the table. What happens when the basilisk eats the arm of the petrified fighter?
Serpentine Hiss
Actions
Serpentine Hiss. The giant snake hisses menacingly. Each hostile creature within 30 feet must make a DC 14 Wisdom save or be Frightened (save ends at end of turn). A creature that succeeds on the save is immune to this effect for 24 hours.
Up close and personal, a basilisk would be a threatening sight. Serpentine Hiss plays up the imposing presence and gives the basilisk a chance to clear some opponents away so that it's not being swarmed by the entire party at once.
Retributive Strike
Reactions
Retributive Strike. When a creature the wolf can see hits it with a melee attack, the wolf can make an attack against its attacker. If the wolf is below 15 hp then the attack is made with advantage.
Retributive Strike is a simple but flavorful ability that reinforces the themes of a vicious natural predator that is even more dangerous when cornered.
Wild Instinct
Bonus Actions
Wild Instinct (1/day). The wolf identifies the creature with the lowest Strength score that it can see. It then uses Dash towards that creature.
If the party is trying to kite the basilisk, you can hit them with a Wild Instinct to close the gap. It also reinforces the themes of the basilisk being a predator, as it naturally targets weak-seeming prey.
Jaw Clamp
Reactions
Jaw Clamp (1/day). When an attacker within 5 feet of the manticore misses it with a melee attack, the manticore makes a Cruel Claws attack against the attacker. On a hit, the attacker is Grappled (escape DC 12). Until this grapple ends, the grappled creature is Restrained, and the only attack the manticore can make is a bite against the grappled creature.
Jaw Clamp plays up the stubborn viciousness of the basilisk.
Defensive Powers¶
Stone Molt
Reactions (3/turn)
Stone Molt (1/day). When hit by an attack, the basilisk violently molts its stone scales. It gains resistance to a damage type of its choice until the end of its next turn and the molted scales create difficult terrain for other creatures in a 10 foot radius around the basilisk.
Stone Molt is another flavorful little ability that introduces a twist that changes the rhythm of combat. It also helps the basilisk survive for an extra round of combat so there's another chance for petrification to take hold.
Poisonous Blood
Reactions (One Per Head)
Poisonous Blood. When the hydra takes piercing or bludgeoning damage, each other creature in a 10 foot radius must make a DC 14 Constitution save or be Poisoned (save ends at end of turn).
If you want to play up the poisonous nature of the basilisk, you can use Poisonous Blood to reinforce this fantasy. Another simple, but effective ability.
Limited Magic Immunity
Reactions
Limited Magic Immunity. When the golem is attacked by a spell, targeted by a spell, or forced to make a saving throw by a second level spell or lower then the golem can force the spell attack to miss or can choose to succeed on the saving throw.
The Foe Foundry Basilisk has strange crystalline growths protruding from it and enjoys nesting near sites of wild natural magic. You can flavor these wild magic surges as Limited Magic Immunity to give the basilisk a bit of extra defense. An interesting side effect of this ability is that it will require the PCs to get up close and personal with the basilisk, which ensures the petrification has more chances of going off.
Expanded Basilisk Lore for D&D 5E¶
Want deeper lore?
Explore how basilisks were cursed into existence, why they thrive near magical ley lines, and what their venom means for alchemists and adventurers alike: More Basilisk Lore
We wanted the basilisk to feel like more than a wandering monster. In the Foe Foundry version, these creatures are shaped by their environment and in turn shape it back. Their lairs are often dotted with broken statues, jagged crystal outcroppings, and terrain warped by lingering magical energy. Over time, minerals drawn from petrified prey form glowing crystalline ridges along their backs - a detail that makes them stand out and hints at their habitat.
Basilisks are fiercely territorial and especially drawn to regions with strong magical resonance. Their venom softens stone rather than hardening flesh, allowing them to feed on petrified victims. That same venom can be harvested and repurposed by skilled alchemists, creating an interesting tension: the party might be trying to kill the basilisk, while a patron just wants it captured for its rare properties.
Interesting Basilisk Encounter Ideas for 5E¶
Need more encounter ideas?
From cursed caravans to alchemical heists, here are more hooks and encounters to drop into your campaign: More Basilisk Encounters
- A half-petrified NPC collapses at the party’s feet mid-transformation. The basilisk isn't far behind
- A Basilisk Broodmother has mistaken a priceless ruby for one of her eggs. She will not give it up peacefully.
- A Basilisk den lies in the path of a rampaging Hydra — the turf war is turning nearby farmland to rubble
- Alchemists are paying well for live Basilisks or harvested venom, no questions asked.
- A hag's cursed carriage barrels through the woods, pulled by a team of Basilisks. She's late for the gala and feeling extra cranky.
Final Thoughts¶
The basilisk is a classic monster with a lot of untapped potential. With just a few tweaks to its mechanics, lore, and behavior it becomes a memorable foe.
Want to use these powers or try building your own variant?
Want to summon your own custom Basilisk? You can summon custom basilisks (and hundreds of other monsters) using the Foe Foundry Monster Generator.
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FAQ¶
Why is the Basilisk considered weak in D&D 5E?¶
In both the 2014 and 2024 Monster Manuals, the Basilisk has a great concept but poor execution. The original version used a clunky gaze-aversion mechanic, and the updated version replaced it with a generic petrifying cone. Neither version makes the Basilisk exciting to run in combat.
What are some good Basilisk powers for D&D 5E?¶
We created 12 modular Basilisk powers that make it more dynamic and dangerous—ranging from venomous bites and burrowing ambushes to improved petrification mechanics. These powers are fully compatible with D&D 5E.
How does Foe Foundry improve the Basilisk?¶
Foe Foundry reworks the Basilisk by turning its gaze into a reaction, making it more interactive without slowing down combat. We also provide new statblocks, custom powers, and encounter ideas to bring the creature to life.
Can I use these custom Basilisk powers in official D&D 5E games?¶
Yes. All powers are designed to fit within D&D 5E’s action economy and challenge rating expectations. You can swap one or two powers into an official Basilisk statblock or generate a full variant using the Foe Foundry Monster Generator.
What’s the best way to run petrification in D&D 5E?¶
Use it as a reaction. Instead of forcing players to constantly declare whether they avert their gaze, the DM triggers the Basilisk’s reaction when a character makes direct eye contact. It’s smoother, faster, and still scary.
Where can I find a D&D 5E monster generator?¶
Foe Foundry is a free monster builder for DMs. You can instantly create custom monsters with handcrafted powers and scale them to your party’s level so you can get back to running an amazing game for your friends.
Where can I find other D&D 5E Monstrosities like the Basilisk?¶
Foe Foundry has a whole menagerie of 5E-compatible monstrosities that you can add to your game, including favorites like Hydras, Manticores, and Chimeras.