Doppelganger

Doppelgangers are shapeshifting creatures that possess the ability to assume the appearance of other humanoid beings. They are mysterious and cunning creatures that excel in deception and manipulation. In their natural form, doppelgangers resemble tall, slender humanoids with featureless faces, pale grayish skin, and bald heads. Their bodies are flexible and their movements are often unnaturally smooth.

Doppelgangers are skilled at mimicking the physical appearance, voice, and mannerisms of individuals they encounter. They use this ability to infiltrate societies, impersonate important figures, and sow discord or further their own secretive agendas. Doppelgangers are known to exploit their shape-shifting abilities for personal gain, espionage, or even to satisfy their insatiable hunger for power.

Despite their shapeshifting prowess, doppelgangers lack a true sense of identity and are driven primarily by survival and self-preservation. They are often devoid of empathy and view other creatures as tools to be used and discarded. Doppelgangers are intelligent creatures, capable of planning and executing complex schemes to achieve their goals.

When encountered, doppelgangers can be highly dangerous adversaries. Their ability to assume the appearance of trusted allies or loved ones makes them formidable foes, as they can strike from within and turn trusted relationships against their victims. They are skilled combatants, relying on their agility and surprise to overpower their opponents.

The true motives and origins of doppelgangers remain shrouded in mystery. Some believe they are natural creatures born with their shape-shifting abilities, while others suspect they may be the result of magical experiments or the influence of dark forces. Regardless of their origins, encountering a doppelganger is often a harrowing experience, as their ability to deceive and manipulate can have far-reaching consequences.

Special Abilities

Shapechanger

The doppelganger can use its action to polymorph into a Small or Medium humanoid it has seen, or back into its true form. Its statistics, other than its size, are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.

Ambusher

In the first round of combat, the doppelganger has advantage on attack rolls against any creature it has surprised.

Surprise Attack

If the doppelganger surprises a creature and hits it with an attack during the first round of combat, the target takes an extra 10 (3d6) damage from the attack.

Actions

• Multiattack: The doppelganger makes two melee attacks.
• Slam: Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
• Read Thoughts: The doppelganger magically reads the surface thoughts of one creature within 60 ft. of it. The effect can penetrate barriers, but 3 ft. of wood or dirt, 2 ft. of stone, 2 inches of metal, or a thin sheet of lead blocks it. While the target is in range, the doppelganger can continue reading its thoughts, as long as the doppelganger’s concentration isn’t broken (as if concentrating on a spell). While reading the target’s mind, the doppelganger has advantage on Wisdom (Insight) and Charisma (Deception, Intimidation, and Persuasion) checks against the target.

Proficiencies

• Skill: Deception +6
• Skill: Insight +3