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Ghost

Medium · Undead · CR 4 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Monstrous Menagerie

58 (13d8)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-1

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 1100

Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Fly 40 ft (12.2 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 11

Languages

the languages it spoke in life

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

cold, necrotic, poison

Damage Resistances

acid, fire, lightning, thunder; damage from nonmagical weapons

Condition Immunities

charmed, fatigue, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained

Traits

Ethereal Sight

The ghost can see into both the Material and Ethereal Plane.

Incorporeal

The ghost can move through creatures and objects. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.

Undead Nature

A ghost doesnt require air, sustenance, or sleep.

Unquiet Spirit

If defeated in combat, the ghost returns in 24 hours. It can be put to rest permanently only by finding and casting Remove Curse on its remains or by resolving the unfinished business that keeps it from journeying to the afterlife.

Actions

Ethereal Jaunt

The ghost magically shifts from the Material Plane to the Ethereal Plane or vice versa. If it wishes it can be visible to creatures on one plane while on the other.

Possession

Recharge 6

One humanoid within 5 feet makes a DC 13 Charisma saving throw. On a failure it is possessed by the ghost. The possessed creature is unconscious. The ghost enters the creatures body and takes control of it. The ghost can be targeted only by effects that turn undead and it retains its Intelligence Wisdom and Charisma. It grants its host body immunity to being charmed and frightened. It otherwise uses the possessed creatures statistics and actions instead of its own. It doesnt gain access to the creatures memories but does gain access to proficiencies nonmagical class features and traits and nonmagical actions. It can't use limited-used abilities or class traits that require spending a resource. The possession ends after 24 hours when the body drops to 0 hit points when the ghost ends it as a bonus action or when the ghost is turned or affected by dispel evil and good or a similar effect. Additionally the possessed creature repeats its saving throw whenever it takes damage. When the possession ends the ghost reappears in a space within 5 feet of the body. A creature is immune to this ghosts Possession for 24 hours after succeeding on its saving throw or after the possession ends.

Withering Touch

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 4d6+3 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (4d6 + 3) necrotic damage. If the target is frightened it is magically aged 1d4 x 10 years. The aging effect can be reversed with a greater restoration spell.

Reactions

Horrifying Visage

If the ghost takes damage from an attack or spell, it uses Horrifying Visage.

About Ghost

Ghost is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 11 and possesses 58 hit points (derived from 13d8).

Ghost has communication capabilities including the languages it spoke in life. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Ghost

2 tips available

When using Ghost 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.
Incorporeal Movement: This creature can pass through objects and walls! Use 'Magic Circle', 'Forcecage', or other magical barriers. Physical obstacles are ineffective.

Player Guide: Facing Ghost

2 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.
Hit Incorporeal Creature: This creature can pass through objects! Use magical weapons or spells. Physical attacks may not work. 'Magic Missile' or 'Spiritual Weapon' are effective.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

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

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 6 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 2,000 XP
Hard: 3,000 XP
Deadly: 4,000 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 Ghost?: Ghost has a Challenge Rating of 4, making it appropriate for parties of level 4.0.
What type of creature is Ghost?: Ghost is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Ghost speak?: Ghost can communicate in the languages it spoke in life.