The DND Cockatrice is a small avian creature with a nasty bite that can turn enemies into stone.
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about a DND Cockatrice: what they look like, where they live, and how to use them in combat encounters.
D&D Cockatrice Stat Block
| Cockatrice Stat Block | Details |
|---|---|
| AC | 11 |
| HP | 27 (6d6 + 6) |
| CR | 1/2 |
| XP | 100 |
| Size | Small |
| Alignment | Unaligned |
| Proficiency Bonus | +2 |
| Speed | 20 feet walking, 40 feet flying |
| Attributes | STR 6 (-2), DEX 12 (+1), CON 12 (+1), INT 2 (-4), WIS 13 (+1), CHA 5 (-3) |
| Senses | Darkvision 60 feet, Passive Perception 11 feet |
| Actions | Bite 3 (1d4 + 1) |
| Special Abilities | Bite forces an enemy to make a CON save or be restrained. At the end of the next round, the enemy makes another CON save or be petrified for 24 hours |
DND Cockatrice Description
A cockatrice is similar to a basilisk, another infamous monster with lizard-like characteristics. An adult weighs approximately fifteen to 25 pounds and stands roughly three feet tall.
They are a strange hybrid of a bat, a lizard, and a bird.
The majority of people think of these creatures as gigantic chickens with bat wings and lizard tails. In a way, they look like tiny dragon chickens.
Ecology & Habitats
These creatures can be found almost anywhere in your DND world.
But they are most commonly found underground or above the surface in tropical regions.
Cockatrices can also be found in low numbers in the Earth’s Elemental Plane.
These creatures eat both plants and animals.
They eat berries, plants, nuts, and other small creatures (mice, insects, frogs, and similar creatures).
Usages
Many Alchemists claim that much of a cockatrice’s body can be used as a magical ingredient, though the exact parts and methods are unknown.
These creatures are thought to have been created to provide the aforementioned valuable ingredients but were accidentally released into the wild.
Additionally, cockatrice venom has been harvested and then sold.
This petrifying venom is known to go for up to 100 gold pieces.
Mythology
For many centuries, the fearsome creatures were a well-known beast in folk mythology, and some people believed that they still existed until around the 1700s. A cockatrice, like many mythological creatures, is a monster that no one wants to encounter alone in the dark.
It is believed that cockatrices are created from rooster eggs incubated by a toad or a snake.
In Dungeons and Dragons, the cockatrice is similar to its reptilian cousin in terms of capabilities and danger level, but with very distinct differences in size and power.
Here is a good video about DND Cockatrices:
D&D Cockatrice Types
There are a few different types of DND cockatrices.
Knowing these variants can help Dungeon Masters design fun and engaging combat encounters for their players.
Cockatrice Mount
Mounts are commonly used in Dungeons and Dragons as a way to get around quickly, or as a show of power and luxury.
A mount can be anything from a trusty steed, to a flying carpet, or to a giant spider.
One of the more unusual mounts available is the Cockatrice mount.
As the name suggests, a DND Cockatrice Mount is a creature that is ridden by another creature, usually a humanoid.
There are two main types of Cockatrice Mounts:
- A standard-sized Cockatrice with a smaller rider
- A large Cockatrice with a regular-sized rider
Cockatrices can be used as combat mounts, particularly deadly due to their petrification bite attack.
They can also be used as familiars for player characters who have the appropriate spells and abilities.
Whether you’re looking for an unconventional way to travel, or simply want to add a bit of flavor to your campaign, consider using a Cockatrice Mount in your next Dungeons and Dragons adventure.
Great Cockatrice
A Great Cockatrice in D&D is a giant cockatrice.
It is a homebrewed monster that you can throw at your higher-level players.
A Great Cockatrice possesses all the abilities of a regular Cockatrice plus a Wing Attack. In addition, a Great Cockatrice has twice the AC, HP, XP, and Hit Dice as a regular Cockatrice.
| Giant Cockatrice Stat Block | Details |
|---|---|
| AC | 22 |
| HP | 54 (12d6 + 6) |
| CR | 2 |
| XP | 200 |
| Size | Large |
| Alignment | Unaligned |
| Proficiency Bonus | +2 |
| Speed | 40 feet walking, 80 feet flying |
| Attributes | STR 12 (+1), DEX 14 (+2), CON 12 (+1), INT 4 (-3), WIS 13 (+1), CHA 5 (-3) |
| Senses | Darkvision 80 feet, Passive Perception 22 feet |
| Actions | Bite 6 (2d4 + 1), Wing (1d4 +1) |
| Special Abilities | Bite forces an enemy to a CON save or be restrained. At the end of the next round, the enemy makes another CON save or be petrified for 24 hours |
In other words, it’s a nightmarish, flying beastie that will give your adventurers a run for their money.
If you’re looking for a challenging encounter for your higher-level heroes, be sure to add a Great Cockatrice to your next campaign or one-shot.
Undead Cockatrice
An Undead Cockatrice is an undead version of a regular Cockatrice.
They can be Zombie Cockatrices or Ghost Cockatrices with special undead abilities. Undead Cockatrices retain the ability to turn people to stone with their bite.
They are often used as guards by evil wizards or necromancers, as:
- They are creepy
- Their gaze can petrify intruders
An Undead Cockatrice is created when a Cockatrice is killed and then raised from the dead using necromancy.
They are often found in dark places such as crypts or ruins, serving their new masters faithfully.
D&D Cockatrice Combat Tactics
They are generally not violent unless they are attacked or threatened.
A DND Cockatrice typically nests in pairs, but groups of ten or more have been reported.
The main threat posed by the Cockatrice is its temperament and the ability of even the slightest peck from its beak to turn flesh to stone.
They attack with their bite and then retreat, looking for another opportunity to attack.
Cockatrices can attack by land or air, and they often use their wings to help them retreat quickly after an attack.
Cockatrices are not particularly powerful creatures, but they can be dangerous if they are able to gang up on an opponent.
Their combat tactics typically involve hit-and-run attacks, and they often try to target weaker opponents such as spellcasters or injured enemies.
In addition, cockatrices have the ability to petrify opponents with their gaze, which can quickly turn the tide of combat if not careful.
Overall, Cockatrices are not the most powerful creatures in Dungeons and Dragons, but they can be dangerous if they are able to catch their opponents off guard.
What’s the Difference Between a Basilisk and a Cockatrice?
The Basilisk is a mythical creature that appears in numerous bestiaries and fantasy works.
The Basilisk was initially depicted as a venomous snake (i.e., in the Roman Empire and the early Middle Ages).
In contrast, the DND Cockatrice, which first appeared in medieval England, was a chicken-reptile chimera whose gaze turned people to stone.
For a variety of reasons, the two creatures eventually merged into a single myth and became synonymous terms for the same monster.
The Basilisk is typically depicted as a more reptilian snakelike or lizard-like creature.
The Cockatrice, on the other hand, is depicted as more clearly avian, with a largely birdlike body, snake tail, bird legs, and flight-capable wings.
Cockatrice Miniature: What Is It and Where Do You Buy It?
A Cockatrice Miniature is a small, sculpted model of a Cockatrice used in DND.
They are available in indiviudal sculpts or as a discounted complete set. A sculpted base accompanies each model.
Currently, the models might be printed in a light gray damage-resistant resin.
This may vary depending on the inventory, as the producers are constantly striving to improve the durability and quality of the prints.
The miniatures usually do not come with a base unless shown explicitly with a unique sculpted base.
This resin miniature is often printed at a standard 32mm scale.
Don’t hesitate to go to Amazon or Etsy if you want it on a different scale, such as 28mm or 40mm, and they might be able to resize the print for you.
All models are washed and designed correctly to ensure the best possible print quality.
They are also made with more damage-resistant resins to withstand gaming use.
Although all Multi-piece miniatures are test fit to ensure scale accuracy and fit, minor filing may be needed in some cases to achieve optimal fit.
When models are shipped, they are all unpainted.
You can leave them as is or paint them yourselves for a more personalized experience.
Note that there may be some printing process marks to remove, such as small dots generated during the creation.
DND Cockatrice Pronunciation
This creature’s name is pronounced cock-a-trice | kä-k-trs.
It is a harsh-sounding, three-syllable word resemblant of its harsh appearance.
While knowing the pronunciation is not neccessary, it may help communicate with your D&D friends and avoid awkard or embarrasing social gaffs.
Final Thoughts: DND Cockatrice
When I use Cockatrice in an adventure, I find it helpful to only include a few in any single combat encounter.
Too many quickly become overpowered.
Against a limited number, my players always tell me how fun these little dragon chickens make an adventure.
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