Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Ghost Knight

Medium · Undead · CR 7 · Lawful Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

17 (half plate)

130 (20d8 + 40)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-1

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Lawful Evil

XP 2900

Initiative Bonus +2

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 13

Skills

Athletics +6 Perception +3 Stealth +5

Languages

Common

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Resistances

necrotic

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, poisoned

Traits

Locked Saddle

The ghost knight can’t be knocked prone, dismounted, or moved against its will while mounted.

Mounted Warrior

The ghost knight is rarely seen without its warhorse skeleton mount. The warhorse skeleton wears custom barding that raises its Armor Class to 15, and it has immunity to necrotic damage. While the ghost knight is mounted, its mount can’t be charmed or frightened.

Necrotic Weapons

The ghost knight’s weapon attacks are magical. When the knight hits with any weapon, the weapon deals an extra 2d6 necrotic damage (included in the attack).

Spirited Charge

If the ghost knight moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature while mounted and then hits with a Lance attack on the same turn, the ghost knight can use a bonus action to command its mount to make one melee weapon attack against that creature as a reaction.

Turning Defiance

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

Undead Nature

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

Actions

Battleaxe

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8+3 plus 2d6 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage, or 8 (1d10 + 3) slashing damage if used with two hands, plus 7 (2d6) necrotic damage.

Lance

+6 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 1d12+3 plus 2d6 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d12 + 3) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) necrotic damage.

Multiattack

The ghost knight makes three Battleaxe or Lance attacks. If the ghost knight is mounted, it can make two Battleaxe or Lance attacks, and its mount can make one melee weapon attack.

About Ghost Knight

Ghost Knight is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 7. It has a lawful evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 130 hit points (derived from 20d8 + 40).

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

GM Tips: Using Ghost Knight

2 tips available

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

Significant Threat: Challenging for parties of levels 5-10
Epic Potential: Consider legendary actions for memorable battles

Player Guide: Facing Ghost Knight

2 strategies available

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

Significant Threat: Prepare spells and resources
Team Coordination: Coordinate attacks and defenses

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 Ghost Knight?: Ghost Knight has a Challenge Rating of 7, making it appropriate for parties of level 7.0.
What type of creature is Ghost Knight?: Ghost Knight is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Ghost Knight speak?: Ghost Knight can communicate in Common.