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Nihileth

Large · Undead · CR 13 · Chaotic Evil

Armor Class
17 (natural armor)
Hit Points and Hit Dice
157 (21d10 + 42)
Challenge Rating CR
13

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
21
+5
DEX
9
-1
CON
15
+2
INT
18
+4
WIS
15
+2
CHA
18
+4

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Large
Type Undead
Alignment Chaotic Evil
XP 10000
Initiative Bonus -1

Movement

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

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)
Passive Perception 20

Saving Throws

Constitution +7 Intelligence +9 Wisdom +7

Skills

History +12 Perception +10

Languages

Void Speech, telepathy 120.0 ft (36.6 m).

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
cold, necrotic, poison
Damage Resistances
bludgeoning, piercing and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Condition Immunities
charmed, exhaustion, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, restrained

Traits

Ghostly Body (Void Ghost Form Only)

The nihileth has resistance to acid, fire, lightning, and thunder damage, it has immunity to the prone condition, and it has immunity to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks. In addition, the nihileth 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.

Infecting Telepathy

If a creature communicates telepathically with the nihileth, or deals psychic damage to it, the creature must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become infected with the nihilethic rot disease.

Nihilethic Rot

This disease takes 1 minute to manifest in an infected creature, during which time the disease can be removed with the lesser restoration spell. After 1 minute, the creature’s flesh becomes slimy and translucent, and the disease can be cured only by the heal spell or similar magic. Until this disease is cured, the creature can’t regain hp unless it is submerged in water, and it can breathe air and water. The creature must be submerged in water at least once every 2 hours to avoid suffocating, and if it is outside a body of water, it takes 7 (2d6) acid damage every 10 minutes, unless moisture is applied to its skin before 10 minutes have passed. If a Humanoid dies while infected with this disease, it rises 1 minute later as a nihilethic zombie under the nihileth’s control. If a Large giant or monstrosity dies while infected with this disease, it rises 1 minute later as a nihilethic dominator under the nihileth’s control.

Undead Fortitude

If damage reduces the nihileth to 0 hp, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of 5 + the damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a success, the nihileth drops to 1 hp instead.

Undead Nature

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

Void Aura

The nihileth is surrounded by a chilling cloud. A creature that isn’t a construct or undead and that starts its turn within 5 feet of the nihileth must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or its speed is halved until the start of its next turn. In addition, a creature infected with nihilethic rot takes 7 (2d6) cold damage when it starts its turn within this aura.

Actions

Multiattack

The nihileth makes two Tentacle attacks and one Tail attack, or it makes three Withering Touch attacks.

Tail

+10 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 3d6+5 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft. one target. Hit: 15 (3d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage.

Tentacle

+10 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d6+5 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or contract the nihilethic rot disease (see the Nihilethic Rot trait).

Withering Touch

+9 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 3d6+4 necrotic damage.

Melee Spell Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one creature. Hit: 14 (3d6 + 4) necrotic damage.

Bonus Actions

Void Shape

The nihileth magically transforms into a dark purple, Void ghost form or back into its Undead form. Its statistics, other than its speed, resistances, and immunities, are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying changes with it. It reverts to its Undead form if it dies.

Reactions

Void Body

When the nihileth takes damage, it can reduce the damage to 0. Radiant damage can be reduced by only half.

Legendary Actions

Detect

Cost 1

The nihileth makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.

Rotten Drain

Cost 2

One creature infected with the nihilethic rot disease within 30 feet of the nihileth takes 10 (3d6) psychic damage, and the nihileth regains hp equal to that amount.

Tail Swipe

Cost 1

The nihileth makes one Tail attack.

About Nihileth

Nihileth is a large undead with a Challenge Rating of 13. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 157 hit points (derived from 21d10 + 42).

Nihileth has communication capabilities including Void Speech, telepathy 120 ft.. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Nihileth

1 tips available

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

  • Telepathic Communication: This creature can communicate telepathically, making it excellent for coordination with allies. Silence spells won't stop its communication. Consider 'Mind Blank' or abilities that block telepathy.

Player Guide: Facing Nihileth

1 strategies available

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

  • Telepathy Awareness: This creature communicates telepathically! It can coordinate with allies silently. Silence won't stop it. Use 'Mind Blank' or abilities that block telepathy. Be cautious of mental attacks.

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 Nihileth?
Nihileth has a Challenge Rating of 13, making it appropriate for parties of level 13.0.
What type of creature is Nihileth?
Nihileth is a Large Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Nihileth speak?
Nihileth can communicate in Void Speech, telepathy 120 ft..

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