Remorhaz
Superheated Centipedal Horrors
The dreaded Remorhaz are an ancient species of colossal superheated centipede-like creatures that scour the frozen wastes for prey. Infused with the raw power of elemental fire after centuries of exposure to planar leakage near Arctic hot springs, these primordial arthropods have since burrowed their way through ice and bedrock alike, spreading to other cold regions and leaving dangerous networks of tunnels beneath the frozen surface.
Beneath its armored plates, the Remorhaz glows with a terrible inner fire. Its centipedal body stretches longer than a warship, every segment flexing with insectile precision as steam hisses from joints like the vents of a furnace. Jagged mandibles snap with enough force to shear through plate and bone, dragging prey toward a maw that radiates blistering heat. When it erupts from the snow, the ice splits and liquefies around it, turning a frozen battlefield into a boiling mire in seconds.
The Remorhaz is an iconic arctic monster in D&D 5E, turning tundra to steam and heroes into ash in the span of a heartbeat.
Remorhaz Lore
- These ancient arthropods were transformed by prolonged exposure to elemental energies leaking from arctic geothermal vents
- Remorhazes burrow through permafrost and glacier fields using the heat of their bodies, melting tunnels in the ice that refreeze behind them into smooth, glassy walls
- Their tunnel networks can extend for miles beneath the surface, creating dangerous underground labyrinths that weaken the structural integrity of the ice above
- Grim evidence of a Remorhaz's presence might be found in half-melted carcasses or strangely charred bones amid the snow
Remorhaz Tactics
Remorhazes are classic ambush predators that lie in wait beneath snowdrifts or ice sheets for days, sensing vibrations and body heat above. When prey comes near, they erupt from below in a burst of steaming snow to clamp their jaws around a victim.
Ambush Strategy: The Remorhaz uses Ice Burrower to position itself beneath unsuspecting prey, then erupts upward with Burrowing Ambush for a surprise attack. Its tremorsense allows it to track movement across the ice.
Heated Body: The Superheated Body ability ensures any creature that touches the Remorhaz or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet takes fire damage from its superheated carapace. This makes grappling or close combat extremely dangerous.
Furnace Attacks: Mature Remorhazes can unleash devastating abilities like Furnace Dash to close distance while leaving trails of superheated air, or Superheated Saliva to restrain enemies at range with hardening molten spit.
Swallow Tactics: Against Medium or smaller creatures, the Remorhaz attempts to Swallow its prey whole, subjecting them to its burning interior and acid damage each turn. It may enter a Rampage when bloodied, becoming even more dangerous.
Escape Routes: If outmatched, a Remorhaz will use its burrowing ability to retreat underground, potentially collapsing tunnels behind it or setting up another ambush.
Remorhaz Statblocks
Young Remorhaz
A smaller, faster offspring of the Remorhaz that lacks full heat intensity but is still a deadly arctic hunter.
Young Remorhaz
Summoned with Foe FoundryHuge Monstrosity (Remorhaz)
AC 16 Initiative +1 (11)
HP 94 (9d12 + 36)
Speed 30 ft., burrow 30 ft.
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Str | 20 | +5 | +5 |
| Dex | 12 | +1 | +1 |
| Con | 19 | +4 | +4 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Int | 6 | -2 | -2 |
| Wis | 10 | +0 | +2 |
| Cha | 6 | -2 | -2 |
Skills Perception +2
Immunities Cold, Fire
Senses Blindsight 60 ft., Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 12
CR 5 (1,800 XP; PB +2)
Traits
Ice Burrower. The remorhaz can burrow through solid ice, permafrost, or snow at half its burrow speed and leaves a 10 foot wide diameter tunnel in its wake.
Superheated Body. The remorhaz's internal furnace radiates intense heat. A creature that touches the remorhaz or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes 7 (2d6) fire damage. This damage can only be dealt once per turn to any given creature. If the remorhaz is struck by a source of cold damage, this ability ceases to function until the start of its next turn and it loses its immunity to cold damage during this time. Additionally, the remorhaz sheds bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet.
Actions
Fiery Maw. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 23 (4d8 + 5) piercing damage and 13 (3d8) fire damage.
Bonus Actions
Burrowing Ambush (1/day). The remorhaz 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.
Remorhaz
The classic arctic furnace beast, a massive predator capable of melting through ice and swallowing prey whole.
Remorhaz
Summoned with Foe FoundryHuge Monstrosity (Remorhaz)
AC 17 Initiative +1 (11)
HP 161 (14d12 + 70)
Speed 30 ft., burrow 30 ft.
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Str | 22 | +6 | +6 |
| Dex | 12 | +1 | +1 |
| Con | 21 | +5 | +5 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Int | 6 | -2 | +2 |
| Wis | 10 | +0 | +4 |
| Cha | 6 | -2 | -2 |
Skills Perception +4
Immunities Cold, Fire
Senses Blindsight 60 ft., Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 14
CR 11 (7,200 XP; PB +4)
Traits
Ice Burrower. The remorhaz can burrow through solid ice, permafrost, or snow at half its burrow speed and leaves a 10 foot wide diameter tunnel in its wake.
Superheated Body. The remorhaz's internal furnace radiates intense heat. A creature that touches the remorhaz or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes 14 (4d6) fire damage. This damage can only be dealt once per turn to any given creature. If the remorhaz is struck by a source of cold damage, this ability ceases to function until the start of its next turn and it loses its immunity to cold damage during this time. Additionally, the remorhaz sheds bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet.
Actions
Multiattack. The remorhaz makes two Fiery Maw attacks.
Fiery Maw. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 24 (4d8 + 6) piercing damage and 13 (3d8) fire damage.
Swallow. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 55 (11d8 + 6) piercing damage. On a hit, the target must make a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, it is Swallowed. A swallowed creature is Blinded, Restrained, and has total cover against attacks and effects from the outside. It takes 17 (7d4) ongoing acid damage at the start of each of its turns. If the swallowing creature takes 35 damage or more on a single turn from a creature inside it, it must make a DC 25 Constitution saving throw at the end of that turn or regurgitate all swallowed creatures which fall Prone in a space within 10 feet of it. If the swallowing creature dies, the swallowed creature is no longer restrained by it and can escape by using 15 feet of movement, exiting prone.
Superheated Saliva (Recharge 5-6). The remorhaz spits superheated saliva in a 45 ft line (5 ft wide). Each creature in the area must make a DC 18 Strength saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 38 (11d6) fire damage and is Restrained (save ends at end of turn) as the saliva hardens around them. On a successful save, the creature takes half damage and is not restrained. While Restrained by this ability, the creature is Susceptible to Fire. A creature susceptible to fire ignores any immunity or resistance to fire that it may have. If it had no such immunity or resistance, it is instead vulnerable to fire.
Elder Remorhaz
An ancient, battle-hardened matriarch whose internal furnace burns with such intensity that her lair consists of vast caverns beneath the ice, filled with her offspring.
Elder Remorhaz
Summoned with Foe FoundryHuge Monstrosity (Remorhaz)
AC 17 Initiative +1 (11)
HP 229 (17d12 + 119)
Speed 30 ft., burrow 30 ft.
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Str | 25 | +7 | +7 |
| Dex | 12 | +1 | +1 |
| Con | 25 | +7 | +7 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Int | 6 | -2 | +3 |
| Wis | 10 | +0 | +5 |
| Cha | 6 | -2 | -2 |
Skills Perception +5
Immunities Cold, Fire
Senses Blindsight 60 ft., Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 15
CR 16 (15,000 XP; PB +5)
Traits
Ice Burrower. The remorhaz can burrow through solid ice, permafrost, or snow at half its burrow speed and leaves a 10 foot wide diameter tunnel in its wake.
Regeneration. The remorhaz regains 25 hp at the start of its turn. If the remorhaz takes acid or fire damage, this trait doesn't function at the start of the remorhaz's next turn. The remorhaz only dies if it starts its turn with 0 hp and doesn't regenerate.
Superheated Body. The remorhaz's internal furnace radiates intense heat. A creature that touches the remorhaz or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes 21 (6d6) fire damage. This damage can only be dealt once per turn to any given creature. If the remorhaz is struck by a source of cold damage, this ability ceases to function until the start of its next turn and it loses its immunity to cold damage during this time. Additionally, the remorhaz sheds bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet.
Actions
Multiattack. The remorhaz makes two Fiery Maw attacks.
Fiery Maw. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 34 (6d8 + 7) piercing damage and 22 (9d4) fire damage.
Bonus Actions
Burrowing Ambush (1/day). The remorhaz 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.
Reactions
Fiery Burst (4/day). When the remorhaz is hit by a melee attack, their form explodes with fiery energy. Each other creature within 10 ft must make a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw, taking 42 (12d6) fire damage on a failure and half as much damage on a success.
Remorhaz Encounter Ideas
Looking for unforgettable Remorhaz encounters for 5E? These icy ambushes and survival scenarios showcase the monster's burrowing heat, deadly surprise tactics, and the terrifying aftermath it leaves in the snow.
- A geyser of scalding steam suddenly erupts from a snowfield ahead, revealing a tunnel melted into the permafrost. The party glimpses bones and shattered treasure chests fused into the tunnel's glassy walls. Moments later, the ground heaves as a Remorhaz bursts forth
- Caught in a blizzard's fury, the party shelters in an ice cave whose walls glisten as if glazed by fire. The cramped chamber is eerily warm and littered with half-melted carcasses. This refuge is actually a Remorhaz's den, and the creature is tunneling back home
- A panicked trapper staggers toward the party across the tundra, waving a burning torch and screaming for help. Something massive tunnels just beneath the snow behind her, leaving a long, steaming furrow in its wake
- Crossing a frozen lake at dusk, the party notices that some ice ahead is thin and spiderwebbed with cracks. Without warning, the lake explodes upward in a shower of slush as several Young Remorhaz lunge from below
Remorhaz Adventure Ideas
These Remorhaz adventure ideas for D&D 5E transform a single monster into a whole story arc — perfect for one-shots in the frozen tundra or as recurring threats in a long winter campaign.
- A chilly, isolated mining outpost in the high peaks has gone silent after strange tremors shook the region. When the PCs investigate, they find smooth-bored tunnels and equipment half-melted into slag - signs that a Remorhaz has turned the mine into its nesting ground
- A Frost Giant Thane kept a Remorhaz chained as a living siege weapon—until it broke free and laid waste to his camp. Now the blizzard-swept canyon is littered with scorched giant corpses, and the freed Remorhaz tunnels nearby, making the entire area a deadly no-man's-land
- A renowned alchemist hires the PCs to retrieve a fresh Remorhaz egg from a remote icy wasteland for use in a potent fire-resistance elixir. A ruthless band of rivals is racing for the same prize, and the ice is littered with charred corpses from their last failed attempt
- A frostbitten cult of villagers worships a towering Elder Remorhaz as the incarnate wrath of winter, offering it living sacrifices in exchange for protection from the deadly cold. The sacrifices are thrown into a nearby ice chasm that leads to the creature's vast lair.