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Lich

Medium · Undead · CR 21 · Neutral Evil

Source. 5e 2024 Rules

20 (natural armor)

315 (42d8 + 126)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 33000

Initiative Bonus +17

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 +10 Constitution +10 Intelligence +12 Wisdom +9 Charisma +3

Skills

Arcana +19 History +12 Insight +9 Perception +9

Languages

All

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

necrotic, poison

Damage Resistances

cold, lightning

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, poisoned

Traits

Legendary Resistance (4/Day, or 5/Day in Lair)

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

Spirit Jar

If destroyed, the lich reforms in 1d10 days if it has a spirit jar, reviving with all its Hit Points. The new body appears in an unoccupied space within the lich's lair.

Actions

Eldritch Burst

Cost 1

+12 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 4d12+5 force damage.

Melee or Ranged Attack Roll: +12, reach 5 ft. or range 120 ft. 31 (4d12 + 5) Force damage.

Multiattack

Cost 1

The lich makes three attacks, using Eldritch Burst or Paralyzing Touch in any combination.

Paralyzing Touch

Cost 1

+12 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 3d6+5 cold damage.

Melee Attack Roll: +12, reach 5 ft. 15 (3d6 + 5) Cold damage, and the target has the Paralyzed condition until the start of the lich's next turn.

Spellcasting

Cost 1

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

At Will: Detect Magic, Detect Thoughts, Dispel Magic, Fireball, Invisibility, Lightning Bolt, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation
2/Day Each: Animate Dead, Dimension Door, Plane Shift
1/Day Each: Chain Lightning, Finger of Death, Power Word Kill, Scrying

Reactions

Protective Magic

The lich casts Counterspell or Shield in response to the spell's trigger, using the same spellcasting ability as Spellcasting.

Legendary Actions

Deathly Teleport

Cost 1

The lich teleports up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space it can see, and each creature within 10 feet of the space it left takes 11 (2d10) Necrotic damage.

Disrupt Life

Cost 1

Constitution Saving Throw: DC 20, each creature that isn't an Undead in a 20-foot Emanation originating from the lich. Failure: 31 (9d6) Necrotic damage. Success: Half damage. Failure or Success: The lich can't take this action again until the start of its next turn.

Frightening Gaze

Cost 1

The lich casts Fear, using the same spellcasting ability as Spellcasting. The lich can't take this action again until the start of its next turn.

About Lich

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

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 20 and possesses 315 hit points (derived from 42d8 + 126).

Lich has communication capabilities including All. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Lich

3 tips available

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

Fire Damage Mitigation: This creature deals fire damage. Advise players to have fire resistance ready or use water-based tactics. Consider environmental fire hazards that could backfire on the creature.
Cold Damage Strategy: Cold-based attacks can slow or freeze. Prepare 'Heat Metal' or fire spells as countermeasures. Ice terrain can be used to create difficult terrain for melee characters.
Lightning Damage Awareness: Lightning attacks often have long range and high speed. Advise players to use cover and avoid metal armor/weapons. Water surfaces amplify lightning damage - avoid fighting near water.

Player Guide: Facing Lich

3 strategies available

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

Fire Damage Protection: This creature deals fire damage! Get fire resistance from spells like 'Resistance' or potions. Avoid fighting near flammable objects. Water spells can counter fire attacks.
Cold Damage Protection: This creature deals cold damage! Get cold resistance or use fire spells. Avoid water surfaces - they can freeze and create difficult terrain. 'Heat Metal' can counter cold.
Lightning Damage Protection: This creature deals lightning damage! Avoid metal armor and weapons. Use cover and avoid water surfaces. 'Iron Skin' or 'Protection from Energy' can help.

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 All.