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Jiangshi

Medium · Undead · CR 6 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Creature Codex

15 (natural armor)

117 (18d8+36)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 2300

Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

Walk 20 ft (6.1 m)

Swim 10 ft (3 m)

Climb 10 ft (3 m)

Crawl 10 ft (3 m)

Senses

Blindsight 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 14

Skills

Athletics +6 Perception +4

Languages

understands any languages it knew in life but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Resistances

necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Damage Vulnerabilities

fire

Condition Immunities

blinded, exhaustion, poisoned

Traits

Blind Senses

The jiangshi can't use its blindsight while deafened.

Keen Hearing

The jiangshi has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing.

Prayer of Magic Resistance

The jiangshi has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. A creature can take its action while within 5 feet of the jiangshi to rip the prayer off the jiangshi by succeeding on a DC 16 Strength check. The jiangshi loses this trait if its prayer scroll is removed.

Standing Leap

The jiangshi's long jump is up to 30 feet and its high jump is up to 15 feet, with or without a running start.

Terrifying Appearance

When a creature that can see the jiangshi starts its turn within 30 feet of the jiangshi, it must make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw, unless the jiangshi is incapacitated. On a failed save, the creature is frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the jiangshi's Terrifying Appearance for the next 24 hours.

Actions

Claw

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8+3 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) slashing damage. The target is grappled (escape DC 14) if it is a Medium or smaller creature and the jiangshi doesn't have two other creatures grappled.

Life Drain

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 4d6 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature that is grappled by the jiangshi, incapacitated, or restrained. Hit: 14 (4d6) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or its hp maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hp maximum to 0.

A humanoid slain in this way rises 24 hours later as a jiangshi, unless the humanoid is restored to life, its body is bathed in vinegar before burial, or its body is destroyed.

Multiattack

The jiangshi makes two claw attacks. It can use Life Drain in place of one claw attack.

About Jiangshi

Jiangshi is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 6. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 117 hit points (derived from 18d8+36).

Jiangshi has communication capabilities including understands any languages it knew in life but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Jiangshi

2 tips available

When using Jiangshi 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 Jiangshi

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 6.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 9 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 4,200 XP
Hard: 6,300 XP
Deadly: 8,400 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 Jiangshi?: Jiangshi has a Challenge Rating of 6, making it appropriate for parties of level 6.0.
What type of creature is Jiangshi?: Jiangshi is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Jiangshi speak?: Jiangshi can communicate in understands any languages it knew in life but can't speak.