Rakshasa 5e: Stats and Guide for Players & DMs

Last Updated on November 5, 2023

In D&D 5th edition, a Rakshasa is an evil fiend that originates from the Nine Hells. Rakshasas have a tiger head and human body, they are known for their manipulative behavior and their ability to change forms. 

What Is a Rakshasa?

Rakshasas are fiends that particularly enjoy masquerading as influential members of society, such as nobles, advisors to lords or leaders, wealthy merchants, or crime bosses. They are persuasive and generally prefer trickery over direct confrontation when it comes to crushing opponents. However, they can also be quite dangerous in combat.

Rakshasas have several abilities that allow them to be quite versatile. 

They can innately cast spells and enjoy immunity from many magic spells and effects, making them difficult for even Wizards and Sorcerers to take on. 

They are also immune to nonmagical attacks.

What Does a Rakshasa Look Like? 

A Rakshasa typically has the head of a tiger and the body of a human. However, they have also been known to have the heads of other creatures, such as crocodiles. 

These creatures are about the same size as a human. They have long, sharp claws that they aren’t afraid to use and a defining feature: their palms are reversed, meaning that their palms are where the backs of their hands should be on a humanoid. 

Shapechanging Tiger People

Rakshasas can change their form and frequently do so to disguise themselves as other creatures. They are exceptionally skilled at hiding among humans.

While you won’t be able to tell if someone is a Rakshasa just by looking at them, there are certain giveaway signs, such as their reversed palms. They also usually wear jewelry and clothing that is quite lavish and lead a luxurious lifestyle.

Rakshasa in Combat

Their major weakness is their vulnerability to damage from magic weapons wielded by good creatures. The best strategy when fighting a Rakshasa is to have a mix of melee and ranged attackers who are also good creatures. These creatures should be equipped with magical weapons. 

Melee attackers should focus on dealing damage up close while ranged attackers unleash magic arrows from afar. Remember, Rakshasas are immune to many spells and magical effects, so using magic may not be sufficient. Instead, focus on physical attacks.

Having someone who can remove curses on your team is also essential as the Rakshasa can curse creatures with its claw attacks. Otherwise, you may find yourself haunted by the monster for a long time to come.

Incorporating Rakshasa’s Into Your Game: Tips for DMs

If you’re a DM, you might wonder how to incorporate Rakshasa into your game. Here are a few tips:

• Rakshasa can make for exciting villains or allies. They are typically quite manipulative, so they can be used to further the plot in interesting ways.
• A Rakshasa is a shapechanger. They can disguise themselves as other characters. This can lead to some gripping plot twists.
• Rakshasas are often associated with devils, so they can be used to introduce devils into your campaign.
• Rakshasas are immune to many spells and magical effects, making them challenging opponents in combat.
• Rakshasas can curse creatures with their claw attacks. This can be used to create some intriguing plot hooks while giving your players roleplaying opportunities that can further their characters’ development.

Keep these tips in mind when incorporating Rakshasa into your game. With a bit of creativity, you can use these creatures to add some spice to your campaign.

The History of the Rakshasa

While Rakshasas thrill in masquerading on the Material Plane, they actually originate from the Nine Hells. 

They came into being when mighty devils performed a dark ritual that liberated their essence from their bodies, allowing them to escape into the Material Plane to wreak havoc.

Due to their origin, Rakshasas cannot die on the Material Plane. Instead, their essence returns to the Nine Hells when they’re dispatched, and they slowly reform a body over a period of months or even years. 

However, this does not mean that they cannot be permanently destroyed. If a rakshasa is killed in the Nine Hells, it is destroyed forever.