Giant Octopus

Large beast, unaligned

Armor Class: 11
Hit Points: 52 (8d10+8)
Speed: 10 ft., swim 60 ft.

STR: 17 (+3)
DEX: 13 (+1)
CON: 13 (+1)
INT: 4 (−3)
WIS: 10 (+0)
CHA: 4 (−3)

Skills: Perception +4, Stealth +5
Senses: darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages: —
Challenge: 1 (200 XP)
Proficiency Bonus: +2

Hold Breath. While out of water, the octopus can hold its breath for 1 hour.

Underwater Camouflage. The octopus has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made while underwater.

Water Breathing. The octopus can breathe only underwater.

Actions

Tentacles. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it is grappled (escape DC 16). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the octopus can't use its tentacles on another target.

Ink Cloud (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). A 20-foot-radius cloud of ink extends all around the octopus if it is underwater. The area is heavily obscured for 1 minute, although a significant current can disperse the ink. After releasing the ink, the octopus can use the Dash action as a bonus action.

How many for your party

Copies of the giant octopus (200 XP each) against a party of four characters of the same level. Build mixed fights in the encounter builder.

Number of Giant Octopus for each difficulty, party of four
Party level	Easy	Medium	Hard	Deadly
Level 1	—	1	—	2–20
Level 2	1	—	2	3–20
Level 3	—	2	3	4–20
Level 4	2	3	4	5–20
Level 5	3–4	5–6	7–8	9–20
Level 6	3–5	6–7	8–10	11–20

Questions

What CR is the Giant Octopus?

The Giant Octopus is challenge 1, worth 200 XP, with a proficiency bonus of +2.

How many hit points does the Giant Octopus have?

52 hit points (8d10+8), with AC 11.

How many should I use against four 1st-level characters?

Against four level 1 characters, 1 is medium by the encounter XP budget.