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Monarch Skeleton

Medium · Undead · CR 9 · Neutral Evil

Source. Creature Codex

16 (chain mail)

142 (15d8+75)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

-1

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 5000

Initiative Bonus +2

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 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 12

Saving Throws

Wisdom +6

Languages

the languages it knew in life

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

necrotic, poison

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks not made with silver

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned

Traits

Master Tactician

The monarch skeleton and any skeletons within 30 feet of it have advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the skeleton's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.

Sovereign's Command

As a bonus action, the monarch commands a skeleton within 30 feet of it to make one attack as a reaction against a creature the monarch attacked this round.

Turning Defiance

The monarch skeleton and any skeletons within 30 feet of it have advantage on saving throws against effects that turn undead.

Actions

Dreadblade

+9 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8+5 plus 2d6 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) slashing damage plus 7 (2d6) necrotic damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or its hp maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken. This reduction lasts until the creature finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hp maximum to 0.

Grasp of the Grave

Recharge 5–6

Each non-skeleton creature within 30 feet of the monarch must succeed on a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or be restrained by ghostly, skeletal hands for 1 minute. A restrained target takes 10 (3d6) necrotic damage at the start of each of its turns. A creature, including the target, can take its action to break the ghostly restraints by succeeding on a DC 16 Strength check.

Multiattack

The monarch skeleton makes two dreadblade attacks.

About Monarch Skeleton

Monarch Skeleton is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 9. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 142 hit points (derived from 15d8+75).

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

GM Tips: Using Monarch Skeleton

2 tips available

When using Monarch Skeleton 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 Monarch Skeleton

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 9.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 12 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 9,000 XP
Hard: 13,500 XP
Deadly: 18,000 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 Monarch Skeleton?: Monarch Skeleton has a Challenge Rating of 9, making it appropriate for parties of level 9.0.
What type of creature is Monarch Skeleton?: Monarch Skeleton is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Monarch Skeleton speak?: Monarch Skeleton can communicate in the languages it knew in life.