Iceglass Doppelganger | Free 5e and PF2e Monster

Written by Luke Hart

A shimmering figure stands some distance away in the falling snow, appearing made of frosted glass at first glance. As its body catches the pale light of the moon, a haunting display of crystalline beauty is revealed. Its breath condenses into a fine mist that swirls around it, almost like a personal snowstorm. Then, it morphs before your eyes, taking on the likeness of one of your companions. It's almost perfect, too perfect, save for the misty aura that continues to emanate from its form.

The icy North is cruel and unforgiving by most folks’ standards. For the truly unfortunate, for those who have offended the North beyond forgiveness, awaits perhaps the most ominous of all. A creature able to assume the form of its victims and mirror their every action, the iceglass doppelganger is a being of legend feared by all but the foolish. Few who gaze into its frosty reflection ever see anything else in the mortal realm.

Chilling Impersonators. Made of what looks like frosted glass, the iceglass doppelganger is a mysterious and unsettling figure that emits a constant mist from its breath. Its icy glass-like nature allows it to take on the likeness of any humanoid it observes. The Aurorians consider these creatures divine avatars, believing them to be fragments of Polarnox, their deity of the northern sky.

Versions for both 5e and Pathfinder 2e are included.

By the way, if you're looking for more drag-and-drop creatures like this or other 5e and PF2e resources, check out our entire collection of Lair Magazine issues. This particular monster came from the January 2024 issue, Tundra & Terror, where you can find even more game master resources!

Iceglass Doppelganger - 5e

Medium elemental, neutral

Armor Class 12

Hit Points 39 (6d8 + 12)

Speed 30 ft.

Skills Deception +5, Insight +3, Perception +3

Damage Resistances cold

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13

Languages Common, Auran

Challenge 2 (450 XP)      Proficiency Bonus +2

Shapechanger. The iceglass doppelganger can use its action to polymorph into a humanoid it has seen or back into its true form. Other than its size, its statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying doesn’t transform. It reverts to its true form if it dies.

Chilling Aura. Creatures within 10 feet of the iceglass doppelganger have their speed reduced by 10 feet and suffer a -1 penalty to attack rolls and AC.

Actions

Multiattack. The iceglass doppelganger makes two attacks.

Icy Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) slashing damage plus 3 (1d6) cold damage.

Ice Shard. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., range 60 ft. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) slashing damage plus 3 (1d6) cold damage.

Frost Breath (Recharge 5-6). The iceglass doppelganger exhales a blast of freezing wind in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw, taking 18 (4d8) cold damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Reaction

Icy Reflection. When a creature it can see within 30 feet makes an attack, move, or uses an ability, the iceglass doppelganger can mirror that action immediately after the triggering action, using its own statistics and abilities.

Iceglass Doppelganger - Pathfinder 2

Creature 3, N, Medium, Elemental, Humanoid, Cold

Perception +7; darkvision

Languages Common, Auran; one other language

Skills Deception +11, Diplomacy +11, Society +8, Stealth +8

Str +3, Dex +3, Con +0, Int +1, Wis +2, Cha +4

Chilling Aura (aura, magical, cold, emanation) 10 feet. Any creature that start their turn in the area must succeed at a DC 20 Fortitude save or have their speed reduced by 10 feet and suffer a -1 circumstance penalty to AC.

—

AC 18; Fort +5, Ref +10, Will +11

HP 50; Resistance Cold 5

End the Charade [reaction] (attack); Trigger The doppelganger is transformed with Change Shape and another creature moves adjacent to it or takes a hostile action against it. Effect The doppelganger reverts to its natural form and can make a Strike against the triggering creature. If the creature was unaware the doppelganger was in disguise, that creature is flat-footed against this attack.

Reflection [reaction] (attack); Trigger A creature the doppelganger can see within 30 feet makes an attack or Strides. Effect The doppelganger uses the same action immediately after the triggering action, using its own statistics and abilities.

—

Speed 25 feet

Melee [one-action] ice claw +10 (agile, cold), Damage 1d6+5 slashing plus 1d6 cold.

Ranged [one-action] ice shard +10 (cold, range increment 60 feet) Damage 1d8+6 cold.

Arcane Innate Spells DC 21; 3rd mind reading (at will)

Change Shape [one-action] (arcane, concentrate, polymorph, transmutation) The doppelganger takes on the specific appearance of any Small or Medium humanoid who it has seen and whose appearance it remembers. This doesn’t change the doppelganger’s Speed or its attack and damage bonuses with its Strikes but might change the damage type its Strikes deal (typically to bludgeoning).

Frost Breath [two actions] (arcane, evocation, cold) The iceglass doppelganger exhales a blast of freezing wind that deals 4d6 cold damage in a 15-foot cone (DC 20 basic Fortitude save). It can’t use its frost breath again for 1d4 rounds.

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