Yuan Ti Abomination 5e: Stats and Guide for Players & DMs

Last Updated on November 21, 2023

Yuan-ti go way back in Dungeons and Dragons. I was so stoked to see them in 5e. I remember Yuan-Ti being one of my favorite races in 3e, both as monsters and as characters.

The Yuan-Ti Abomination

A Yuan-Ti is a snake-like humanoid with serpentine features and magical abilities. They are descended from an ancient empire ruled over by serpent gods and dark rituals. The Abominations are the most monstrous and serpentine of the Yuan-Ti.

Abominations in Yuan-Ti Society

Abominations enjoy the most power and privilege in Yuan-Ti society. However, even more so than Malisons, their monstrous appearance makes it nearly impossible to maneuver in humanoid society.

Therefore, these are the rarest form of Yuan-Ti and will almost exclusively be found in well-established Yuan-Ti strongholds where they have enough Malisons and Purebloods to provide for their needs.  

Especially in cities because the Abomination will need food and water brought to them since they just can’t go to the market.

Multiple Abominations in a single place almost invariably mean a power struggle, but if they can find a clear leader, their unity will make their community a very powerful and secure part of the social ecosystem.

The best way to establish that clear leadership ability will be through divine power. If one Abomination has additional magical ability connected to the old serpent gods, then they will naturally be the most revered Abomination – provided they can back up their words with demonstrations of power.

Abomination Encounters – For DMs

In tier I, Abominations should be rare. They have a CR of 7, which means it is possible to place them in a position of power for tier-I adventurers to face. However, their position in Yuan-Ti society means they will never be without their guards and servants.

If you do use an Abomination in tier I, take the time to build up their reputation. Name-drop them in a few previous sessions to build up the hype and tension and make the players a little afraid of this primary antagonist. 

Make the Abomination hard to reach. Put them at the end of a serpentine labyrinth behind Broodguards, Purebloods, and Malisons.

In Tier II, Abominations can serve as a council of underbosses, each with their own contingent of Malisons, Purebloods, and Broodguards.

Consider taking advantage of the Yuan-Ti’s Charisma score and replacing their weapon attacks with Warlock or Sorcerer spells to add some variation between the Abominations.

If your story needs a central leader, then consider this one:

An Advanced Abomination Warlock of the Old Serpent Gods

This advanced Abomination uses the same stat block found in the Monster Manual for the Abomination with the following differences.

• Warlock Spells (+7 to hit, DC 15, two 3rd level spell slots): Eldritch blast, mind sliver, Arms of Hadar (snake-like appearance), Expeditious Retreat, Shadow Blade, Spider Climb
• False life (at will) (fiendish vigor)
• AC 18 (armor of shadows)
• Fiendish Snake Familiar (constrictor or viper)
• Three additional hit die
• CR 9

It is conceivable that two or three of these Abominations could work together, provided they actually are hearing from the same god.