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Deathwisp

Medium · Undead · CR 7 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

82 (11d8 + 33)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-2

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 2900

Initiative Bonus +5

Movement

Walk 60 ft (18.3 m)

Swim 30 ft (9.1 m)

Climb 30 ft (9.1 m)

Crawl 30 ft (9.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 16

Saving Throws

Dexterity +8 Constitution +6 Wisdom +6

Skills

Perception +6 Stealth +8

Languages

the languages it knew in life

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

necrotic, poison

Damage Resistances

acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks not made with silvered weapons

Condition Immunities

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

Traits

Flicker

The deathwisp flickers in and out of sight. Ranged weapon attacks against it are made with disadvantage.

Incorporeal Movement

The deathwisp 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 a solid object.

Sunlight Sensitivity

While in sunlight, the deathwisp has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

Undead Nature

The deathwisp doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.

Actions

Create Specter

The deathwisp targets a Humanoid within 10 feet of it that has been dead for no longer than 1 minute and died violently. The target's spirit rises as a specter in the space of its corpse or in the nearest unoccupied space. This specter is under the deathwisp's control. The deathwisp can have no more than twelve specters under its control at one time.

Ghostly Pike

+8 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d10+5 plus 2d8 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) force damage plus 9 (2d8) necrotic damage.

Life Drain

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 4d8+5 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 23 (4d8 + 5) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or its hp maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hp maximum to 0.

Multiattack

The deathwisp makes two Ghostly Pike attacks, or it can make one Ghostly Pike attack and one Life Drain attack.

Bonus Actions

Shadow Traveler

3/day

While in shadows, dim light, or darkness, the deathwisp disappears into the darkness and reappears in an unoccupied space it can see within 30 feet. A tendril of inky smoke appears at the origin and destination when it uses this bonus action.

About Deathwisp

Deathwisp is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 7. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 82 hit points (derived from 11d8 + 33).

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

GM Tips: Using Deathwisp

1 tips available

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

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 Deathwisp

1 strategies available

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

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 7.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 10 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 5,600 XP
Hard: 8,400 XP
Deadly: 11,200 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 Deathwisp?: Deathwisp has a Challenge Rating of 7, making it appropriate for parties of level 7.0.
What type of creature is Deathwisp?: Deathwisp is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Deathwisp speak?: Deathwisp can communicate in the languages it knew in life.