Horned Devil
Large Fiend (devil), lawful evil
7,200 XP
Special Abilities
Devil's Sight
Magical darkness doesn't impede the devil's darkvision.
Magic Resistance
The devil has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Actions
Multiattack
The devil makes three melee attacks: two with its fork and one with its tail. It can use Hurl Flame in place of any melee attack.
Fork
Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) piercing damage.
Tail
Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d8 + 6) piercing damage. If the target is a creature other than an undead or a construct, it must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or lose 10 (3d6) hit points at the start of each of its turns due to an infernal wound. Each time the devil hits the wounded target with this attack, the damage dealt by the wound increases by 10 (3d6). Any creature can take an action to stanch the wound with a successful DC 12 Wisdom (Medicine) check. The wound also closes if the target receives magical healing.
Hurl Flame
Ranged Spell Attack: +7 to hit, range 150 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (4d6) fire damage. If the target is a flammable object that isn't being worn or carried, it also catches fire.
Quick Reference
Running This Encounter
The Horned Devil serves as an excellent solo villain or lieutenant to a greater fiend lord. Use its high AC and HP to make it a war of attrition, rewarding clever tactics and resource management over raw damage output. Leverage the environment to prevent easy escape and control the battlefield positioning. Have it summon reinforcements if the party gains the upper hand, or retreat to a defensible position if severely threatened.
Combat Tactics
The Horned Devil opens with Tail attacks and its Hurl Flame ability to damage multiple targets and force positioning choices. It prioritizes grappling spellcasters or vulnerable party members with its claws, then uses its tail to knock prone enemies into hazards or away from allies. It fights intelligently, using Parry to reduce incoming damage from martial characters and repositioning to maximize its reach advantage.
Environment & Setting
Place the Horned Devil in an infernal throne room with pillars for cover, lava pits for hazard terrain, or a blood-soaked arena surrounded by lesser devils. Alternatively, use a fortress dungeon with multiple levels where it can pursue or retreat strategically.