Bone Devil 5e: Stats and Guide for Players & DMs

Last Updated on January 22, 2023

Bone Devils are large fiends with a humanoid body shape. They have wings, horns, and a long tail with a deadly stinger. Known as the devious taskmasters of the Nine Hells, these evil monsters take great pleasure in bullying and tormenting those weaker than they are.

What Is a Bone Devil in DnD 5e?

A Bone Devil is a type of devil that is found in the Nine Hells. Adventurers usually encounter these monsters when they are sent on missions to the Lower Planes. Bone Devils are physically imposing creatures; they use their strength and power to bully others into submission.

These cruel monsters enjoy torturing rebels and heretics and will go to great lengths to ensure their victims suffer as much as possible. Bone Devils are also known for their cunning and deceit, which they use to get what they want. Intensely envious of their superiors, these creatures are always looking for ways to make themselves look better in the eyes of their masters.

While Bone Devils are usually found in the Lower Planes where they torment the souls of the damned, this isn’t always the case. They can also be summoned by evil mortals to do their bidding. You can read about devils and their history in our guide to devils.

Osyluths: Taskmasters of the Nine Hells

Bone Devils are lesser devils that serve as the enforcers and torturers of the Lower Planes. Also known as Osyluths, these monsters are cruel and sadistic, and they revel in inflicting pain. Osyluths are usually found in the company of the archdevils they serve as they make loyal and effective bodyguards. Eager to prove their worth, Bone Devils will go to great lengths to please their superiors.

While they aren’t the strongest or most powerful of devils, Osyluths are not to be taken lightly. These fiends are tough to defeat, especially when they are fighting in groups. If you kill a Bone Devil outside the Nine Hells, its soul will be sent back to that plane. There, it will recover its strength. The only way to permanently kill an Osyluth is to destroy its soul, which can only be done in the Nine Hells.

Devil Hierarchies

All devils serve Asmodeus, the lord of the Nine Hells. However, there is a hierarchy among the devils, and each type of devil is ranked. As lesser devils, Bone Devils are not highly ranked in the hierarchy of the Nine Hells. However, they are still respected and feared by most other creatures as they are known for their cruelty and sadism.

Devils must answer to their superiors, which include the following:

• Archdevils: The rulers of the Nine Hells.
• Pit Fiends: The second-in-command to the archdevils.
• Ice Devils: The commanders of the devil armies.

While they are not the most powerful creatures in the Nine Hells, Bone Devils are still to be respected and feared. These monsters take great pleasure in inflicting misery and watching their victims suffer.

Bone Devils in Combat

These creatures usually prefer to attack with their stingers, which can poison their opponents. They will also use their claws to slash at their foes and have the ability to fly, which gives them a tactical advantage in combat.

When fighting groups of opponents, Bone Devils usually try to isolate one victim and focus their attacks on that individual. Some Bone Devils carry a polearm made of bone, which deals 2d12+4 piercing damage. These polearms have a hook on the end that the Bone Devil uses to grapple opponents. When fighting, Bone Devils often try to fly above their opponents and rain down attacks on them from above. Their poison can be deadly if not treated quickly.

How To Summon a Bone Devil

All devils have a true name, which can be used to summon them. However, devils are very reluctant to divulge their true names. They will only do so if they are threatened with significant harm. As a rule, Bone Devils hate being summoned and will do everything they can to escape. They are also not above betraying those who summoned them. Many mages have met their end by summoning defiant devils. 

Another way to fetch a devil is to open a portal to the Nine Hells and go there yourself. This is a dangerous undertaking as the Lower Planes are fraught with danger. Only experienced adventurers should attempt to travel to the Nine Hells as they will likely not make it out alive.

What Are a Bone Devil’s Weaknesses?

Bone Devils are immune to fire and poison and are resistant to cold. They are resistant to most physical attacks as well. You’ll need a magic weapon to hurt these devils or a silvered weapon. With a silvered weapon, you’ll be able to do normal damage, but bone evils can fly, so hitting them is difficult. They also have a poisonous sting, which can deal severe damage. Silver arrows are a good choice if the party has an archer.

Bone Devils have a resistance to magic, so landing a spell on one is tricky. They are also immune to being poisoned. However, if you do manage to land a spell on a Bone Devil, they can be defeated. Spells like Lightning Bolt, Inflict Wounds, and Melf’s Acid Arrow can all significantly damage these creatures.

Another way to defeat a Bone Devil is to banish it. A powerful Wizard or Cleric could send a devil back to the Nine Hells, buying the party some time to escape.

Using Bone Devils in Your Game

Bone Devils make excellent villains and can be used in various ways in your game. One way to use them is as the minions of a powerful devil, such as an archdevil or pit fiend. Another way to use them is as the leaders of a group of lesser devils. In this role, they would be tasked with carrying out the will of their masters and punishing those who dared to disobey.

When a Bone Devil is summoned to another plane, their first goal is usually to test the power of the one who summoned them. If the summoner is powerful enough, the Bone Devil may serve them. Otherwise, they will try to escape and return to the Nine Hells. Bone Devils can also be used as guards or enforcers in dungeons and other lairs. They make excellent opponents for adventurers of all levels.

Bone Devil Story Ideas

The devil’s in the details, as they say. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

• A group of adventurers is tasked with infiltrating the Nine Hells and destroying a Bone Devil.
• The party encounters a group of Bone Devils torturing souls in the Lower Planes.
• A Bone Devil has been summoned to the Material Plane and is wreaking havoc. The party must stop it before it destroys everything in its path.
• The party encounters a group of adventurers trying to free souls from the clutches of a Bone Devil.
• The party encounters a group of Bone Devils who have escaped the Nine Hells. They must find a way to send them back before they cause too much damage.
• A bone devil has been summoned to the Material Plane and has made a deal with a powerful Wizard. The party must stop the devil before it can fulfill its end of the bargain.

Lost in Avernus

By no choice of her own, the Cleric found herself lost on Avernus, the first level of the Nine Hells. She wandered the hellish darkness for hours before she came across a small group of Bone Devils. The devils were torturing a group of souls, and the Cleric knew that she had to put an end to their suffering.

She snuck up on the devils and tried to use her magic, but it was not strong enough. The devils quickly realized that she was there and attacked her. The Cleric fought bravely, but she was outnumbered and outmatched. The devils eventually subdued her and took her back to their lair, where they tortured her for days on end.

Bone Devils as NPCs

When it comes to roleplaying Bone Devils, it’s important to remember that they are creatures of pure evil. They take joy in the suffering of others and never hesitate to kill if it means furthering their own goals. Bone Devils usually have superiors to whom they are fiercely dedicated. However, they are not above betraying their masters if they think it will lead to a promotion within the hierarchy of Hell.

When talking to a Bone Devil, be sure to use formal and respectful language. These creatures demand respect and will not hesitate to punish those who show them anything less. Bone Devils make excellent NPCs, both as allies and enemies. As allies, they can be used to help the party in their quest to destroy a high-ranking devil. As enemies, they can be used to create an exciting combat encounter or to further the plot of your story.

Final Thoughts

Bone Devils are an excellent addition to any Dungeons and Dragons game. Creatures of pure evil, they’ll prove challenging for even the most experienced players. With their ability to fly and deadly claws and stingers, Bone Devils are a force to be reckoned with.

When fighting Bone Devils, keep in mind their penchant for poisoning their prey. Their poison can be deadly, so make sure to have a cure on hand. And finally, remember that they are creatures of chaos and can never be trusted.