Arrow of Slaying (*) (2014 Dungeon Masters Guide)

very rare · Generic Variant 2014

* This generic variant has the same name and source as the item arrow of slaying.

An arrow of slaying is a magic weapon meant to slay a particular kind of creature. Some are more focused than others; for example, there are both arrows of dragon slaying and arrows of blue dragon slaying. If a creature belonging to the type, race, or group associated with an arrow of slaying takes damage from the arrow, the creature must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw, taking an extra 6d10 piercing damage on a failed save, or half as much extra damage on a successful one.

Once an arrow of slaying deals its extra damage to a creature, it becomes a nonmagical arrow.

Other types of magic ammunition of this kind exist, such as bolts of slaying meant for a crossbow, though arrows are most common.

Base items

This item variant can be applied to the following base items:

  • Arrow (Arrow of Slaying)
  • Crossbow Bolt (Crossbow Bolt of Slaying)

Arrow of Slaying (2014 Dungeon Masters Guide)

very rare · Ammo 2014

An arrow of slaying is a magic weapon meant to slay a particular kind of creature. Some are more focused than others; for example, there are both arrows of dragon slaying and arrows of blue dragon slaying. If a creature belonging to the type, race, or group associated with an arrow of slaying takes damage from the arrow, the creature must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw, taking an extra 6d10 piercing damage on a failed save, or half as much extra damage on a successful one.

Once an arrow of slaying deals its extra damage to a creature, it becomes a nonmagical arrow.


Arrow of Slaying (2024 Dungeon Masters Guide)

very rare · Ammo 2024

This magic ammunition is meant to slay creatures of a particular type, which the DM chooses or determines randomly by rolling on the table below. If a creature of that type takes damage from the ammunition, the creature makes a DC 17 Constitution saving throw, taking an extra 6d10 Force damage on a failed save or half as much extra damage on a successful one.

After dealing its extra damage to a creature, the ammunition becomes nonmagical.

1d100 Creature Type
01-10 Aberrations
11-15 Beasts
16-20 Celestials
21-25 Constructs
26-35 Dragons
36-45 Elementals
46-50 Humanoids
51-60 Fey
61-70 Fiends
71-75 Giants
76-80 Monstrosities
81-85 Oozes
86-90 Plants
91-00 Undead

Arrows are used with a weapon that has the ammunition property to make a ranged attack. Each time you attack with the weapon, you expend one piece of ammunition. Drawing the ammunition from a quiver, case, or other container is part of the attack (you need a free hand to load a one-handed weapon). At the end of the battle, you can recover half your expended ammunition by taking a minute to search the battlefield.

Arrows are typically stored in a Quiver (bought separately).