Here’s hoping you're ready for a jolly entry in Mythological Figures—and that you brought your own drinking flask. It’s that big witty lumbering drunkard and expelled member of the church: Friar Tuck!
While the statistics for this article are definitely for the version of Friar Tuck most of us are familiar with, he’s not actually always been a big jovial drunkard—sometimes he’s a temperamental, strongman archer and swordsman. Most of the time though we’re looking at a portly fellow with a love for food and drink, and typically his introduction to Robin Hood is part of a battle of wits (which he loses, having to carry the legendary highwayman on his back across a river and dropping Robin Hood along the way). Notably, Friar Tuck was an important part of the May Games festivals between the 1400s and 1600s in England and Scotland, often featured in plays like Robin Hood and the Curtal Friar. Curiously during the reign of Richard the Lion-Hearted, which has become associated with Robin Hood, there were few if any friars in England so either the stories started later or Friar Tuck was added in later. In any case, Friar Tuck was once a monk in the Fountains Abbey or St. Mary’s Abbey in York until he was exiled for failing to respect his betters, leading him to join the Merry Men as their chaplain.
Design Notes: It doesn’t seem like Friar Tuck ever actually does anything downright holy, and that he’s mostly about getting drunk and defying authority. Obviously this man is a fighter and a rogue (and a thief, what with the need for sneakily getting at that ale). Let’s do the numbers! The DMG came in at 4.0, the Blog of Holding much higher up at 7.4, and that averages to a comfortable CR 5.
Armor Class 14 (padded)
Hit Points 62 (5d8+4d10+18)
Speed 30 ft.
Saving Throws Dex +7, Int +5
Skills Athletics +7, Insight +5, Perception +5, Persuasion +9, Religion +9, Stealth +7
Senses passive Perception 15
Languages Common, Thieves’ Cant
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Background: Acolyte. As an acolyte, Friar Tuck commands the respect of those who share his faith, and he can perform the religious ceremonies of his deity. Friar Tuck and his adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of his faith, though he must provide any material components needed for spells. Those who share Friar Tuck’s religion will support him (but only him) at a modest lifestyle.
Action Surge (1/Short Rest). Once on his turn, Friar Tuck can take an additional action on top of his regular action and a possible bonus action.
Cunning Action (1/Turn). Friar Tuck can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, Hide, Use Object action, to make a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check, or to use thieves’ tools to disarm a trap or open a lock.
Fighting Style: Unarmed. After successfully grappling a creature, Friar Tuck can deal 1d4 bludgeoning damage to it. Whenever he hits a creature he is grappling with a melee attack he deals an extra 1d4 bludgeoning damage.
Second-Story Work. Climbing does not cost Friar Tuck extra movement. When he makes a running jump, the distance he covers increases by 3 feet.
Second Wind (1/Short Rest). On his turn, Friar Tuck can use a bonus action to regain 1d10+4 hit points.
Sneak Attack (1/Turn, 3d6). Friar Tuck can deal an extra 3d6 damage to one creature he hits with an attack if he has advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon. Friar Tuck doesn’t need advantage on the attack roll if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of if, that enemy isn’t incapacitated, and he doesn’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.
ACTIONS
Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d6+1d4+3) bludgeoning damage, or 10 (1d8+1d4+3) bludgeoning damage if wielded with two hands.
Unarmed. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d6+1d4+3) bludgeoning damage, or 10 (1d8+1d4+3) bludgeoning damage if striking two-handed.
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (2d4+3) piercing damage.
REACTIONS
Uncanny Dodge. When an attacker that Friar Tuck can see hits him with an attack, he can use his reaction to halve the attack’s damage against him.
While the statistics for this article are definitely for the version of Friar Tuck most of us are familiar with, he’s not actually always been a big jovial drunkard—sometimes he’s a temperamental, strongman archer and swordsman. Most of the time though we’re looking at a portly fellow with a love for food and drink, and typically his introduction to Robin Hood is part of a battle of wits (which he loses, having to carry the legendary highwayman on his back across a river and dropping Robin Hood along the way). Notably, Friar Tuck was an important part of the May Games festivals between the 1400s and 1600s in England and Scotland, often featured in plays like Robin Hood and the Curtal Friar. Curiously during the reign of Richard the Lion-Hearted, which has become associated with Robin Hood, there were few if any friars in England so either the stories started later or Friar Tuck was added in later. In any case, Friar Tuck was once a monk in the Fountains Abbey or St. Mary’s Abbey in York until he was exiled for failing to respect his betters, leading him to join the Merry Men as their chaplain.
Design Notes: It doesn’t seem like Friar Tuck ever actually does anything downright holy, and that he’s mostly about getting drunk and defying authority. Obviously this man is a fighter and a rogue (and a thief, what with the need for sneakily getting at that ale). Let’s do the numbers! The DMG came in at 4.0, the Blog of Holding much higher up at 7.4, and that averages to a comfortable CR 5.
Friar Tuck
Medium humanoid (human), chaotic good rogue (thief) 5/ fighter (brute) 4Armor Class 14 (padded)
Hit Points 62 (5d8+4d10+18)
Speed 30 ft.
STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
16 (+3) | 16 (+3) | 14 (+2) | 13 (+1) | 12 (+1) | 12 (+1) |
Skills Athletics +7, Insight +5, Perception +5, Persuasion +9, Religion +9, Stealth +7
Senses passive Perception 15
Languages Common, Thieves’ Cant
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Background: Acolyte. As an acolyte, Friar Tuck commands the respect of those who share his faith, and he can perform the religious ceremonies of his deity. Friar Tuck and his adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of his faith, though he must provide any material components needed for spells. Those who share Friar Tuck’s religion will support him (but only him) at a modest lifestyle.
Action Surge (1/Short Rest). Once on his turn, Friar Tuck can take an additional action on top of his regular action and a possible bonus action.
Cunning Action (1/Turn). Friar Tuck can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, Hide, Use Object action, to make a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check, or to use thieves’ tools to disarm a trap or open a lock.
Fighting Style: Unarmed. After successfully grappling a creature, Friar Tuck can deal 1d4 bludgeoning damage to it. Whenever he hits a creature he is grappling with a melee attack he deals an extra 1d4 bludgeoning damage.
Second-Story Work. Climbing does not cost Friar Tuck extra movement. When he makes a running jump, the distance he covers increases by 3 feet.
Second Wind (1/Short Rest). On his turn, Friar Tuck can use a bonus action to regain 1d10+4 hit points.
Sneak Attack (1/Turn, 3d6). Friar Tuck can deal an extra 3d6 damage to one creature he hits with an attack if he has advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon. Friar Tuck doesn’t need advantage on the attack roll if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of if, that enemy isn’t incapacitated, and he doesn’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.
ACTIONS
Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d6+1d4+3) bludgeoning damage, or 10 (1d8+1d4+3) bludgeoning damage if wielded with two hands.
Unarmed. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d6+1d4+3) bludgeoning damage, or 10 (1d8+1d4+3) bludgeoning damage if striking two-handed.
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (2d4+3) piercing damage.
REACTIONS
Uncanny Dodge. When an attacker that Friar Tuck can see hits him with an attack, he can use his reaction to halve the attack’s damage against him.
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