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Demilich Mastermind

Tiny · Undead · CR 18 · Chaotic Evil

Armor Class
20
Hit Points and Hit Dice
319 (58d4+174)
Challenge Rating CR
18

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
10
+0
DEX
24
+7
CON
16
+3
INT
24
+7
WIS
22
+6
CHA
20
+5

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Tiny
Type Undead
Alignment Chaotic Evil
XP 20000
Initiative Bonus +7

Movement

Fly 30 ft (9.1 m)

Senses

Truesight 60 ft (18.3 m)
Passive Perception 22

Saving Throws

Strength +6 Constitution +9 Intelligence +13 Wisdom +12 Charisma +11

Skills

Arcana +13 Perception +12 Stealth +13

Languages

understands the languages it knew in life but doesnt speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
necrotic, poison, psychic; damage from nonmagical weapons
Condition Immunities
charmed, deafened, fatigue, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, stunned

Traits

Avoidance

If the demilich makes a saving throw against an effect that deals half damage on a success, it takes no damage on a success and half damage on a failure.

Legendary Resistance (5/Day)

If the demilich fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. When it does so, one of the five tiny warding gems set on its forehead or teeth shatters.

Undead Nature

A demilich doesnt require air, sustenance, or sleep.

Actions

A demilich mastermind begins combat with up to four empty soul gems

Devour Soul

The demilich targets one creature within 120 feet forcing it to make a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw. On a success or if all the large soul gems on the demilichs skull are occupied the creature takes 40 necrotic damage and the demilich regains the same number of hit points. If the target fails its saving throw and there is at least one unoccupied soul gem on the demilichs skull the demilich regains 40 hit points and the target dies instantly. Its soul is trapped in a soul gem on the demilichs skull visible as a tiny creature-shaped mote of light. While its soul is trapped a creature can't be restored to life by any means. A soul that remains in a soul gem for 30 days is destroyed forever. If the demilich is defeated and a soul gem crushed the creature is restored to life if its body is within 100 miles. A creature that succeeds on a saving throw against this effect is immune to it for 24 hours.

Legendary Actions

Cranial Transposition

Cost 1

The dust surrounding the demilich falls to the ground. The demilich and a nonmagical, unattended skull within 30 teleport, switching places. Until the demilich moves or attacks, it is indistinguishable from a nonmagical skull, and the dust composing the demilichs wraithlike body doesnt reform around it.

Dust Storm

Cost 2

The dust of the demilichs body swirls in a 30-foot radius around the demilich. Each creature in the area makes a DC 17 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the creature takes 21 (6d6) necrotic damage and is blinded until the end of its next turn. The demilich then moves up to its speed.

Ringing Laugh

Cost 2

Each creature within 60 feet that can hear the demilich makes a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, a creature is frightened until the end of its next turn.

Telekinesis

Cost 1

The demilich targets a Huge or smaller creature or an object weighing up to 1,000 pounds within 60 feet. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 17 Strength saving throw. Otherwise, the demilich moves the target up to 30 feet in any direction, including up. If another creature or object stops the targets movement, both take 10 (3d6) bludgeoning damage. At the end of this movement, the target falls if it is still in the air, taking falling damage as normal.

The demilich can take 3 legendary actions

Cost 1

Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creatures turn. The demilich regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

About Demilich Mastermind

Demilich Mastermind is a tiny undead with a Challenge Rating of 18. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 20 and possesses 319 hit points (derived from 58d4+174).

Demilich Mastermind has communication capabilities including understands the languages it knew in life but doesnt speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Demilich Mastermind

1 tips available

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

  • Flight Control Strategy: Target flying creatures with spells like 'Hold Person', 'Web', or 'Grease' to ground them. Without flight restriction, they can escape melee range easily. Consider area denial spells below their flight altitude to force them into disadvantageous positions.

Player Guide: Facing Demilich Mastermind

1 strategies available

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

  • Counter Flight Advantage: This creature can fly! Use ranged attacks, reach weapons, or spells like 'Thunderwave' to push it away. Consider 'Gust of Wind' or 'Earthbind' to ground it. Melee characters need fly speed or flight magic to engage.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 18.

High-Level Solo Encounter:

This creature is too powerful for a single level-20 character. You need 2.0 character(s) at maximum level (20) to face this creature.

Experience Point Thresholds:

  • Medium: 34,200 XP
  • Hard: 51,300 XP
  • Deadly: 68,400 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 Demilich Mastermind?
Demilich Mastermind has a Challenge Rating of 18, making it appropriate for parties of level 18.0.
What type of creature is Demilich Mastermind?
Demilich Mastermind is a Tiny Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Demilich Mastermind speak?
Demilich Mastermind can communicate in understands the languages it knew in life but doesnt speak.

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