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Ghost

Medium · Undead · CR 4 · Neutral

Source. 5e 2024 Rules

11 (natural armor)

45 (10d8)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-2

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Neutral

XP 1100

Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 5 ft (1.5 m)

Fly 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 2 ft (0.6 m)

Climb 2 ft (0.6 m)

Crawl 2 ft (0.6 m)

Hover Yes

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 11

Saving Throws

Strength -2 Dexterity +1 Constitution +0 Intelligence +0 Wisdom +1 Charisma +3

Languages

Common plus one other language

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

necrotic, poison

Damage Resistances

acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained

Traits

Ethereal Sight

The ghost can see 60 feet into the Ethereal Plane when it is on the Material Plane.

Incorporeal Movement

The ghost can move through other creatures and objects as if they were Difficult Terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) Force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.

Actions

Etherealness

Cost 1

The ghost casts the Etherealness spell, requiring no spell components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability. The ghost is visible on the Material Plane while on the Border Ethereal and vice versa, but it can't affect or be affected by anything on the other plane.

At Will: Etherealness

Horrific Visage

Cost 1

Wisdom Saving Throw: DC 13, each creature in a 60-foot Cone that can see the ghost and isn't an Undead. Failure: 10 (2d6 + 3) Psychic damage, and the target has the Frightened condition until the start of the ghost's next turn. Success: The target is immune to this ghost's Horrific Visage for 24 hours.

Multiattack

Cost 1

The ghost makes two Withering Touch attacks.

Possession

Recharge 6 Cost 1

Charisma Saving Throw: DC 13, one Humanoid the ghost can see within 5 feet. Failure: The target is possessed by the ghost; the ghost disappears, and the target has the Incapacitated condition and loses control of its body. The ghost now controls the body, but the target retains awareness. The ghost can't be targeted by any attack, spell, or other effect, except ones that specifically target Undead. The ghost's game statistics are the same, except it uses the possessed target's Speed, as well as the target's Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution modifiers. The possession lasts until the body drops to 0 Hit Points or the ghost leaves as a Bonus Action. When the possession ends, the ghost appears in an unoccupied space within 5 feet of the target, and the target is immune to this ghost's Possession for 24 hours. Success: The target is immune to this ghost's Possession for 24 hours.

Withering Touch

Cost 1

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 3d10+3 necrotic damage.

Melee Attack Roll: +5, reach 5 ft. 19 (3d10 + 3) Necrotic damage.

About Ghost

Ghost is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 11 and possesses 45 hit points (derived from 10d8).

Ghost has communication capabilities including Common plus one other language. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Ghost

2 tips available

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

Flight Control Strategy: Target flying creatures with spells like 'Hold Person', 'Web', or 'Grease' to ground them. Without flight restriction, they can escape melee range easily. Consider area denial spells below their flight altitude to force them into disadvantageous positions.
Incorporeal Movement: This creature can pass through objects and walls! Use 'Magic Circle', 'Forcecage', or other magical barriers. Physical obstacles are ineffective.

Player Guide: Facing Ghost

2 strategies available

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

Counter Flight Advantage: This creature can fly! Use ranged attacks, reach weapons, or spells like 'Thunderwave' to push it away. Consider 'Gust of Wind' or 'Earthbind' to ground it. Melee characters need fly speed or flight magic to engage.
Hit Incorporeal Creature: This creature can pass through objects! Use magical weapons or spells. Physical attacks may not work. 'Magic Missile' or 'Spiritual Weapon' are effective.

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