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Death Knight

Medium · Undead · CR 8 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Black Flag SRD

18 (plate)

140

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 3900

Initiative Bonus +0

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

Darkvision 90 ft (27.4 m)

Passive Perception 15

Saving Throws

Strength +4 Dexterity +0 Constitution +3 Intelligence +1 Wisdom +5 Charisma +4

Languages

Common

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

necrotic,frightened,Undead Resilience

Damage Vulnerabilities

radiant

Traits

Disgraced Rejuvenation

Unless redeemed, a destroyed death knight returns in 1d4 days, regaining all its HP and becoming active again within 10 feet of where it died.

Magic Resistance

The death knight has advantage on saves against spells and other magical effects.

Undead Nature

The death knight doesn't require air, food, drink, or sleep.

Undead Resilience

The death knight is immune to poison damage, to exhaustion, and to the poisoned condition.

Actions

Greatsword

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+4 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6+4) slashing damage and 7 (2d6) necrotic damage.

Multiattack

The death knight makes three Greatsword or Necrotic Bolt attacks.

Necrotic Bolt

+7 to hit, range 60 ft (18.3 m). Hit: 4d6+4 necrotic damage.

Ranged Spell Attack: +7 to hit, range 60 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (4d6+4) necrotic damage.

Bonus Actions

Champion's Challenge

The death knight challenges one creature it can see within 30 feet of it. The target must succeed on a DC 15 CHA save or have disadvantage on attack rolls against creatures that aren't the knight until the end of its next turn.

Reactions

Parry

The death knight adds 3 to its AC against one melee attack that would hit it. To do so, the death knight must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.

Soul Drain

When the death knight reduces a Humanoid to 0 HP, it can absorb the creature's soul. The target must succeed on a DC 15 WIS save or immediately die, its soul becoming trapped in the death knight's sword. The death knight has advantage on attack rolls for 1 minute after absorbing a soul.
The creature can't be restored to life until the death knight is permanently destroyed.

About Death Knight

Death Knight is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 8. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 140 hit points (derived from None).

Death Knight has communication capabilities including Common. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Death Knight

2 tips available

When using Death Knight 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 Death Knight

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 8.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 11 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 7,200 XP
Hard: 10,800 XP
Deadly: 14,400 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 Death Knight?: Death Knight has a Challenge Rating of 8, making it appropriate for parties of level 8.0.
What type of creature is Death Knight?: Death Knight is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Death Knight speak?: Death Knight can communicate in Common.