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Lich

Medium · Undead · CR 21 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Black Flag SRD
Armor Class
17 (natural armor)
Hit Points and Hit Dice
314
Challenge Rating CR
21

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
10
+0
DEX
16
+3
CON
30
+10
INT
34
+12
WIS
28
+9
CHA
16
+3

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Medium
Type Undead
Alignment Chaotic Evil
XP 33000
Initiative Bonus +3

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

Truesight 120 ft (36.6 m)
Passive Perception 19

Saving Throws

Strength +0 Dexterity +3 Constitution +10 Intelligence +12 Wisdom +9 Charisma +3

Languages

Common plus up to five other languages

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
bludgeoning,piercing,and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks,charmed,frightened,paralyzed,Undead Resilience
Damage Resistances
cold,lightning,necrotic

Traits

Arcane Mastery

The lich can concentrate on two spells simultaneously. If it casts a third spell that requires concentration, the lich loses concentration on the oldest spell. If the lich is concentrating on two spells and loses concentration because of taking damage, it loses concentration only on the oldest spell.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day)

If the lich fails a save, it can choose to succeed instead.

Rejuvenation

If it has a phylactery, a destroyed lich gains a new body in 1d10 days, regaining all its HP and becoming active again. The new body appears within 5 feet of the phylactery.

Turn Resistance

The lich has advantage on saves against any effect that turns undead.

Undead Nature

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

Undead Resilience

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

Actions

Arcane Death Burst

+12 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 4d8+5 plus 5d6 necrotic damage.

Melee or Ranged Spell Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 23 (4d8+5) force damage plus 17 (5d6) necrotic damage.

Cast a Spell (Costs 2 Actions)

The lich uses Spellcasting.

Death-Infused Rod

+10 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 4d8+3 plus 5d6 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (4d8+3) bludgeoning damage plus 17 (5d6) necrotic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 20 CON save or be paralyzed for 1 minute. The target can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Disrupt Life (Costs 3 Actions)

Each creature within 20 feet of the lich that isn't Undead must make a DC 20 CON save, taking 21 (6d6) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The lich regains HP equal to the single highest amount of necrotic damage dealt.

Lich's Gaze

The lich fixes its gaze on one creature it can see within 30 feet of it. The target must succeed on a DC 20 CHA save or be charmed or frightened (the lich's choice) until the end of its next turn.

Multiattack

The lich uses Lich's Gaze. It then makes four Arcane Death Burst attacks, or it makes three Arcane Death Burst attacks and one Death-Infused Rod attack. It can replace one attack with a use of Spellcasting.

Spellcasting

The lich casts one of the following spells, using INT as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 20).

  • At Will: detect magic, disguise self, mage hand, message, prestidigitation
  • 3/Day Each: charm, detect thoughts, dispel magic, invisibility (self only), mirror image
  • 2/Day Each: bestow curse, cloudkill, dimension door, greater hold
  • 1/Day Each: plane shift (self only), power word stun, wall of force

Bonus Actions

Levitate

The lich can rise or descend vertically up to 20 feet and can remain suspended there. This bonus action works like the levitate spell, except there is no duration, and the lich doesn't need to concentrate to continue levitating each round.

Reactions

Absorb Spell

When a creature the lich can see within 60 feet of it casts a spell, the lich can absorb the spell's energy, countering it. This works like the counterspell spell, except the lich must always make a spellcasting ability check, no matter the spell's circle. Its ability check for this is +12. If it successfully counters the spell, the lich gains 5 temporary HP for each level of the spell.

Legendary Actions

Cast a Spell

Cost 2

The lich uses Spellcasting.

Disrupt Life

Cost 3

Each creature within 20 feet of the lich that isn't Undead must make a DC 20 CON save, taking 21 (6d6) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The lich regains HP equal to the single highest amount of necrotic damage dealt.

Move

Cost 1

The lich moves up to its speed without provoking opportunity attacks. If the lich is levitating, it can use this legendary action to move horizontally, propelling itself with a blast of arcane power.

About Lich

Lich is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 21. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 314 hit points (derived from None).

Lich has communication capabilities including Common plus up to five other languages. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Lich

2 tips available

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

  • Boss Encounter: Suitable for climactic moments
  • Multi-phase Battle: Plan dramatic tension with multiple phases

Player Guide: Facing Lich

2 strategies available

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

  • Major Threat: Prepare for epic battle
  • Resource Management: Conserve powerful abilities

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 21.

High-Level Solo Encounter:

This creature is too powerful for a single level-20 character. You need 3.0 character(s) at maximum level (20) to face this creature.

Experience Point Thresholds:

  • Medium: 46,200 XP
  • Hard: 69,300 XP
  • Deadly: 92,400 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 Lich?
Lich has a Challenge Rating of 21, making it appropriate for parties of level 21.0.
What type of creature is Lich?
Lich is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Lich speak?
Lich can communicate in Common plus up to five other languages.

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