Creature Stats Frontmatter Reference

The creatureStats frontmatter field on species pages lets you embed one or more D&D 5e stat blocks directly in an article. Each key is an arbitrary identifier you choose; the value is a creature object following the 5etools bestiary schema.

# in a species page's frontmatter
creatureStats:
  my-creature-key:
    name: My Creature
    # … fields described below

To render a stat block in the body of the page use the StatBlock component:

import StatBlock from '../../../../components/StatBlock.astro';

{ // @ts-expect-error -- frontmatter is injected at runtime
frontmatter.creatureStats['my-creature-key'] && <StatBlock
creature={frontmatter.creatureStats['my-creature-key']} /> }

Minimal example

The smallest valid stat block needs a name, size, type, AC, HP, speed, the six ability scores, and a CR.

creatureStats:
  goblin:
    name: Goblin
    size:
      - S
    type: humanoid
    alignment:
      - C
      - E
    ac:
      - ac: 15
        from:
          - leather armor
          - shield
    hp:
      average: 7
      formula: 2d6
    speed:
      walk: 30
    str: 8
    dex: 14
    con: 10
    int: 10
    wis: 8
    cha: 8
    passive: 9
    languages:
      - Common
      - Goblin
    cr: '1/4'

Field reference

`name`

string — The creature’s display name shown in the stat block header.

`size`

string[] — One or more size codes:

Code	Size
`T`	Tiny
`S`	Small
`M`	Medium
`L`	Large
`H`	Huge
`G`	Gargantuan
`V`	Varies

Multiple codes render as “Small or Medium”, etc.

`type`

string | object — The creature type. Can be a plain string:

type: undead

Or an object for subtypes:

type:
  type: humanoid
  tags:
    - human
    - shapechanger

Common types: aberration, beast, celestial, construct, dragon, elemental, fey, fiend, giant, humanoid, monstrosity, ooze, plant, undead.

`alignment`

string[] — Alignment tokens combined left-to-right:

Code	Meaning
`L`	Lawful
`C`	Chaotic
`N`	Neutral
`G`	Good
`E`	Evil
`U`	Unaligned
`A`	Any alignment

["N", "N"] renders as “True Neutral”. ["A"] renders as “Any alignment”.

For creatures with a special alignment note use:

alignment:
  - special: 'as summoner'

`ac`

array — Armor class. Each element is either a plain number or an object:

ac:
  - ac: 17
    from:
      - splint armor

Multiple entries cover conditional AC values:

ac:
  - ac: 13
  - ac: 16
    condition: with mage armor
    from:
      - natural armor

For unusual AC values use the special form:

ac:
  - special: 'equal to the number of souls consumed'

`hp`

object — Hit points. Provide both average and formula:

hp:
  average: 58
  formula: 9d8+18

For creatures with unusual HP use special:

hp:
  special: "equal to its master's HP"

`speed`

object — Movement speeds in feet:

speed:
  walk: 30
  fly: 60
  swim: 30
  climb: 20
  burrow: 10

Add canHover: true alongside fly for hovering creatures. Omit any speed type the creature lacks.

Ability scores (`str`, `dex`, `con`, `int`, `wis`, `cha`)

number — The raw score (not the modifier). Modifiers and saving throw bonuses are computed automatically.

str: 20
dex: 14
con: 16
int: 10
wis: 12
cha: 8

For creatures with a special score note use:

str:
  special: 'see Essence Drain'

`save`

object — Saving throw bonuses for proficient saves. Only include the saves where the creature has proficiency (or expertise). Values are formatted strings including the sign:

save:
  str: '+5'
  con: '+4'
  wis: '+3'

Saves not listed here default to the raw ability modifier in the stat block.

`skill`

object — Skill bonuses. Same format as save: only list skills where the creature has proficiency or expertise:

skill:
  perception: '+5'
  stealth: '+4'
  athletics: '+3'

All 18 skills are supported. Multi-word skill names are quoted:

skill:
  'animal handling': '+3'
  'sleight of hand': '+2'

`senses`

string[] — Sense lines rendered verbatim:

senses:
  - darkvision 60 ft.
  - tremorsense 30 ft.

`passive`

number — Passive Wisdom (Perception). Usually 10 + Perception modifier:

passive: 15

`languages`

string[] — Languages known:

languages:
  - Common
  - Elvish
  - telepathy 60 ft.

`cr`

string — Challenge rating. Use fractional strings for sub-1 CRs:

cr: "1/8"   # 25 XP
cr: "1/4"   # 50 XP
cr: "1/2"   # 100 XP
cr: "5"     # 1,800 XP

For creatures with a lair CR use the object form:

cr:
  cr: '14'
  lair: '15'

`resist`, `immune`, `vulnerable`

Damage resistances, immunities, and vulnerabilities. Accepts an array of damage type strings or condition objects:

immune:
  - fire
  - poison
  - bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
resist:
  - cold
  - lightning
vulnerable:
  - radiant

`conditionImmune`

string[] — Condition immunities:

conditionImmune:
  - charmed
  - exhaustion
  - frightened
  - poisoned

`trait`

array — Passive features. Each entry needs a name and entries (a list of description strings):

trait:
  - name: Pack Tactics
    entries:
      - >
        The wolf has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least
        one of the wolf's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally
        isn't incapacitated.
  - name: Keen Hearing and Smell
    entries:
      - The wolf has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on
        hearing or smell.

`action`

array — Actions. Same shape as trait:

action:
  - name: Bite
    entries:
      - >
        Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d4 +
        2) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC
        11 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
  - name: Multiattack
    entries:
      - The creature makes two Claw attacks.

Recharge mechanic — there is no separate recharge field in the schema. Embed the recharge note directly in the action name, exactly as it appears in print:

action:
  - name: 'Fire Breath (Recharge 5–6)'
    entries:
      - >
        The dragon exhales fire in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area
        must make a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw, taking 56 (16d6) fire damage
        on a failed save, or half on a success.
  - name: 'Poison Breath (Recharge 6)'
    entries:
      - The dragon exhales poisonous gas in a 30-foot cone.
  - name: 'Breath Weapon (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest)'
    entries:
      - The creature exhales a blast of energy.

`bonus`

array — Bonus actions. Same shape as action:

bonus:
  - name: Nimble Escape
    entries:
      - >
        The goblin takes the Disengage or Hide action.

`reaction`

array — Reactions. Same shape as action:

reaction:
  - name: Parry
    entries:
      - >
        The knight adds 2 to its AC against one melee attack that would hit it.
        To do so, the knight must see the attacker and be wielding a melee
        weapon.

`legendary`

array — Legendary actions. Same shape as action. Add legendaryHeader for the introductory paragraph:

legendaryHeader:
  - >
    The dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below.
    Only one legendary action option can be used at a time, and only at the end
    of another creature's turn.
legendary:
  - name: Detect
    entries:
      - The dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
  - name: Tail Attack
    entries:
      - The dragon makes a tail attack.
  - name: Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions)
    entries:
      - >
        The dragon beats its wings. Each creature within 10 feet of the dragon
        must succeed on a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw or take 13 (2d6 + 6)
        bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone.

Full example

Armor Class

splint armor

Hit Points

9d8+18

Speed

30 ft.

Challenge

700 XP

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

MOD +3 SAVE +5

MOD +1 SAVE +1

MOD +2 SAVE +4

MOD +0 SAVE +0

Skills Athletics +5, Perception +2

Senses passive Perception 12

Languages any one language (usually Common)

Multiattack. The veteran makes two longsword attacks. If it has a shortsword drawn, it can also make a shortsword attack.

Actions

Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage, or 8 (1d10 + 3) slashing damage if used with two hands.

Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage.

Heavy Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 100/400 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d10 + 1) piercing damage.

The YAML for the veteran above:

creatureStats:
  veteran:
    name: Veteran
    size:
      - M
    type: humanoid
    alignment:
      - A
    ac:
      - ac: 17
        from:
          - splint armor
    hp:
      average: 58
      formula: 9d8+18
    speed:
      walk: 30
    str: 16
    dex: 13
    con: 14
    int: 10
    wis: 11
    cha: 10
    save:
      str: '+5'
      con: '+4'
    skill:
      athletics: '+5'
      perception: '+2'
    passive: 12
    languages:
      - any one language (usually Common)
    cr: '3'
    trait:
      - name: Multiattack
        entries:
          - >
            The veteran makes two longsword attacks. If it has a shortsword
            drawn, it can also make a shortsword attack.
    action:
      - name: Longsword
        entries:
          - >
            Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8
            + 3) slashing damage, or 8 (1d10 + 3) slashing damage if used with
            two hands.
      - name: Shortsword
        entries:
          - >
            Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6
            + 3) piercing damage.
      - name: Heavy Crossbow
        entries:
          - >
            Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 100/400 ft., one target. Hit:
            6 (1d10 + 1) piercing damage.

Creature Stats Frontmatter Reference

Minimal example

Field reference

name

size

type

alignment

ac

hp

speed

Ability scores (str, dex, con, int, wis, cha)

save

skill

senses

passive

languages

cr

resist, immune, vulnerable

conditionImmune

trait

action

bonus

reaction

legendary