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Necrophage Ghast

Medium · Undead · CR 4 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Creature Codex
Armor Class
13
Hit Points and Hit Dice
65 (10d8+20)
Challenge Rating CR
4

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
10
+0
DEX
17
+3
CON
14
+2
INT
16
+3
WIS
10
+0
CHA
8
-1

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Medium
Type Undead
Alignment Chaotic Evil
XP 1100
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

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)
Passive Perception 10

Skills

Arcana +5 Investigation +5

Languages

Common

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
poison
Damage Resistances
necrotic
Condition Immunities
charmed, exhaustion, poisoned

Traits

Necrophage Stench

Any living creature that starts its turn within 30 feet of the necrophage ghast must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or have disadvantage on all saving throws against spells cast by any necrophage ghast for 1 minute. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the stench of all necrophage ghasts for the next 24 hours.

Spellcasting

The necrophage ghast is a 5th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 13, +5 to hit with spell attacks). The necrophage ghast has the following wizard spells prepared:

  • Cantrips (at will): friends, mage hand, poison spray, prestidigitation
  • 1st Level (4 slots): charm person, false life, magic missile, ray of sickness
  • 2nd Level (3 slots): hold person, invisibility
  • 3rd Level (2 slots): animate dead, hypnotic pattern

Turning Defiance

The necrophage ghast and any undead within 30 feet of it have advantage on saving throws against effects that turn undead.

Actions

Bite

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

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) piercing damage.

Claws

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+3 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage. If the target is a creature other than an undead, it must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

About Necrophage Ghast

Necrophage Ghast 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 13 and possesses 65 hit points (derived from 10d8+20).

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

GM Tips: Using Necrophage Ghast

2 tips available

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

  • Mid-level Encounter: Ideal for parties levels 3-8 as solo or small groups
  • Terrain Advantage: Use terrain to offset moderate combat abilities

Player Guide: Facing Necrophage Ghast

2 strategies available

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

  • Moderate Threat: Prepare standard combat tactics
  • Tactical Advantage: Use terrain and positioning

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 Necrophage Ghast?
Necrophage Ghast has a Challenge Rating of 4, making it appropriate for parties of level 4.0.
What type of creature is Necrophage Ghast?
Necrophage Ghast is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Necrophage Ghast speak?
Necrophage Ghast can communicate in Common.

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