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Blackguard

Medium · Humanoid · CR 5 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Monstrous Menagerie

82 (11d8+33)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Humanoid

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 1800

Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Passive Perception 15

Saving Throws

Strength +6 Constitution +6 Wisdom +5

Skills

Athletics +6 Intimidation +5 Perception +5

Languages

any two

Traits

Aura of Anger

While the knight is conscious, allies within 10 feet gain a +2 bonus to melee weapon damage. A creature can benefit from only one Aura of Anger at a time.

Actions

Greatsword

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+3 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage.

Heavy Crossbow

+4 to hit, range 100/400 ft (30.5/121.9 m). Hit: 1d10+1 plus 3d6 poison damage.

Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 100/400 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d10 + 1) piercing damage plus 10 (3d6) poison damage.

Lance

+6 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 1d12+3 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d12 + 3) piercing damage. If the knight moves at least 20 feet straight towards the target before the attack they deal an extra 13 (2d12) piercing damage and the target makes a DC 14 Strength saving throw falling prone on a failure. This attack is made at disadvantage against targets within 5 feet.

Multiattack

The knight attacks three times with their greatsword.

Vile Curse

1/day

The knight utters hellish words that scald the soul. Living creatures of the knights choice within 30 feet that can hear and understand them are magically cursed for 1 minute. A d4 is subtracted from attack rolls and saving throws made by a cursed creature. A creature immune to the frightened condition is immune to this curse.

About Blackguard

Blackguard is a medium humanoid with a Challenge Rating of 5. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 82 hit points (derived from 11d8+33).

Blackguard has communication capabilities including any two. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Blackguard

2 tips available

When using Blackguard in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Significant Threat: Challenging for parties of levels 5-10
Epic Potential: Consider legendary actions for memorable battles

Player Guide: Facing Blackguard

2 strategies available

When your party encounters this creature, keep these strategies in mind:

Significant Threat: Prepare spells and resources
Team Coordination: Coordinate attacks and defenses

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 5.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 7 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 3,000 XP
Hard: 4,500 XP
Deadly: 6,000 XP

Based on D&D 5e Dungeon Master's Guide encounter building guidelines. CR roughly equals party level for medium encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the challenge rating of Blackguard?: Blackguard has a Challenge Rating of 5, making it appropriate for parties of level 5.0.
What type of creature is Blackguard?: Blackguard is a Medium Humanoid, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Blackguard speak?: Blackguard can communicate in any two.