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Nihilethic Zombie

Medium · Undead · CR 1 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

37 (5d8 + 15)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

-2

CON

INT

-4

WIS

-2

CHA

-3

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 200

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 8

Saving Throws

Wisdom +0

Languages

understands Void Speech and the languages it knew in life but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

cold, necrotic, poison

Condition Immunities

poisoned

Traits

Ghostly Body (Void Ghost Form Only)

The nihilethic zombie has resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks. In addition, the zombie 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.

Undead Fortitude

If damage reduces the nihilethic zombie 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 zombie drops to 1 hp instead.

Undead Nature

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

Actions

Slam

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

Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) bludgeoning damage plus 7 (2d6) necrotic damage.

Withering Touch

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

Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (2d6 + 1) necrotic damage.

Bonus Actions

Void Shape

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

Reactions

Sacrifice Life

When the nihilethic zombie's controlling nihileth takes damage while within 30 feet of the zombie, the zombie can send its life force to the nihileth. The zombie's hp is reduced by up to the amount of damage the nihileth took, preventing that amount of damage to the nihileth. If this damage reduces the zombie to 0 hp, it is immediately destroyed. A nihileth can benefit from only one zombie's Sacrifice Life for each source of damage it takes.

Void Body

When the nihilethic zombie takes damage that isn't radiant, it can reduce the damage by 1d12.

About Nihilethic Zombie

Nihilethic Zombie is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 1. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 8 and possesses 37 hit points (derived from 5d8 + 15).

Nihilethic Zombie has communication capabilities including understands Void Speech and the languages it knew in life but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Nihilethic Zombie

2 tips available

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

Mid-level Encounter: Ideal for parties levels 3-8 as solo or small groups
Terrain Advantage: Use terrain to offset moderate combat abilities

Player Guide: Facing Nihilethic Zombie

2 strategies available

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

Moderate Threat: Prepare standard combat tactics
Tactical Advantage: Use terrain and positioning

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 1.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 3 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 200 XP
Hard: 300 XP
Deadly: 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 Nihilethic Zombie?: Nihilethic Zombie has a Challenge Rating of 1, making it appropriate for parties of level 1.0.
What type of creature is Nihilethic Zombie?: Nihilethic Zombie is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Nihilethic Zombie speak?: Nihilethic Zombie can communicate in understands Void Speech and the languages it knew in life but can't speak.