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Vampire

Small · Undead · CR 13 · Lawful Evil

Source. 5e 2024 Rules
Armor Class
16 (natural armor)
Hit Points and Hit Dice
195 (23d8 + 92)
Challenge Rating CR
13

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
18
+4
DEX
18
+4
CON
18
+4
INT
17
+3
WIS
15
+2
CHA
18
+4

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Small
Type Undead
Alignment Lawful Evil
XP 10000
Initiative Bonus +14

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)
Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)
Climb 40 ft (12.2 m)
Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)
Passive Perception 17

Saving Throws

Strength +4 Dexterity +9 Constitution +9 Intelligence +3 Wisdom +7 Charisma +9

Skills

Perception +7 Stealth +9

Languages

Common plus two other languages

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances
necrotic

Traits

Legendary Resistance (3/Day, or 4/Day in Lair)

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

Misty Escape

If the vampire drops to 0 Hit Points outside its resting place, the vampire uses Shape-Shift to become mist (no action required). If it can't use Shape-Shift, it is destroyed. While it has 0 Hit Points in mist form, it can't return to its vampire form, and it must reach its resting place within 2 hours or be destroyed. Once in its resting place, it returns to its vampire form and has the Paralyzed condition until it regains any Hit Points, and it regains 1 Hit Point after spending 1 hour there.

Spider Climb

The vampire can climb difficult surfaces, including along ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.

Vampire Weakness

The vampire has these weaknesses:

  • Forbiddance: The vampire can't enter a residence without an invitation from an occupant.
  • Running Water: The vampire takes 20 Acid damage if it ends its turn in running water.
  • Stake to the Heart: If a weapon that deals Piercing damage is driven into the vampire's heart while the vampire has the Incapacitated condition in its resting place, the vampire has the Paralyzed condition until the weapon is removed.
  • Sunlight: The vampire takes 20 Radiant damage if it starts its turn in sunlight. While in sunlight, it has Disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks.

Actions

Bite

Constitution Saving Throw: DC 17, one creature within 5 feet that is willing or that has the Grappled, Incapacitated, or Restrained condition. Failure: 6 (1d4 + 4) Piercing damage plus 13 (3d8) Necrotic damage. The target's Hit Point maximum decreases by an amount equal to the Necrotic damage taken, and the vampire regains Hit Points equal to that amount. A Humanoid reduced to 0 Hit Points by this damage and then buried rises the following sunset as a Vampire Spawn under the vampire's control.

Grave Strike

+9 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8+4 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Attack Roll: +9, reach 5 ft. 8 (1d8 + 4) Bludgeoning damage plus 7 (2d6) Necrotic damage. If the target is a Large or smaller creature, it has the Grappled condition (escape DC 14) from one of two hands.

Multiattack

The vampire makes two Grave Strike attacks and uses Bite.

Bonus Actions

Shape-Shift

If the vampire isn't in sunlight or running water, it shape-shifts into a Tiny bat (Speed 5 ft., Fly Speed 30 ft.) or a Medium cloud of mist (Speed 5 ft., Fly Speed 20 ft. [hover]), or it returns to its vampire form. Anything it is wearing transforms with it. While in bat form, the vampire can't speak. Its game statistics, other than its size and Speed, are unchanged. While in mist form, the vampire can't take any actions, speak, or manipulate objects. It is weightless and can enter an enemy's space and stop there. If air can pass through a space, the mist can do so, but it can't pass through liquid. It has Resistance to all damage, except the damage it takes from sunlight.

Charm

The vampire casts Charm Person, requiring no spell components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 17), and the duration is 24 hours. The Charmed target is a willing recipient of the vampire's Bite, the damage of which doesn't end the spell. When the spell ends, the target is unaware it was Charmed by the vampire.

Legendary Actions

Beguile

Cost 1

The vampire casts Command, requiring no spell components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 17). The vampire can't take this action again until the start of its next turn.

Deathless Strike

Cost 1

The vampire moves up to half its Speed, and it makes one Grave Strike attack.

About Vampire

Vampire is a small undead with a Challenge Rating of 13. It has a lawful evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 195 hit points (derived from 23d8 + 92).

Vampire has communication capabilities including Common plus two other languages. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Vampire

1 tips available

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

  • Climbing Advantage: This creature can climb at 40 ft. It can use walls and ceilings for tactical positioning. Consider using 'Spider Climb' negation or fighting in open areas without vertical surfaces.

Player Guide: Facing Vampire

1 strategies available

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

  • Climbing Defense: This creature can climb at 40 ft! It can use walls and ceilings for surprise attacks. Fight in open areas without vertical surfaces. 'Spider Climb' negation spells 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 13.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 17 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

  • Medium: 18,200 XP
  • Hard: 27,300 XP
  • Deadly: 36,400 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 Vampire?
Vampire has a Challenge Rating of 13, making it appropriate for parties of level 13.0.
What type of creature is Vampire?
Vampire is a Small Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Vampire speak?
Vampire can communicate in Common plus two other languages.

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