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Winterghast

Medium · Undead · CR 4 · Chaotic Evil

Armor Class
13
Hit Points and Hit Dice
78 (12d8+24)
Challenge Rating CR
4

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
16
+3
DEX
17
+3
CON
15
+2
INT
10
+0
WIS
13
+1
CHA
9
-1

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Medium
Type Undead
Alignment Chaotic Evil
XP 1100
Initiative Bonus +3

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 11

Skills

Stealth +5

Languages

Common

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
cold, poison
Damage Resistances
necrotic
Damage Vulnerabilities
fire
Condition Immunities
charmed, exhaustion, poisoned

Traits

Creeping Cold

A creature that fails its saving throw against the winterghast’s bite attack becomes infected with the creeping cold disease. At the end of each long rest, the infected creature must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw each day or take 9 (2d8) cold damage and 5 (2d4) necrotic damage and suffer one level of exhaustion if the creature has no levels of exhaustion. The target’s hp maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken. The exhaustion and hp maximum reduction last until the target finishes a long rest after the disease is cured. If the disease reduces the creature’s hp maximum to 0, the creature dies, and it rises as a winterghast 1d4 hours later. A creature that succeeds on two saving throws against the diseases recovers from it. Alternatively, the disease can be removed by the lesser restoration spell or similar magic.

Hidden Stench

Fire damage melts some of the ice covering the winterghast, unleashing its horrific stench. Each creature within 20 feet of the winterghast when it takes fire damage must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned until the end of its next turn.

Actions

Bite

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8+3 plus 1d8 cold damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) cold damage. If the target is a humanoid, it must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or contract the creeping cold disease (see the Creeping Cold trait).

Claw

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

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage. If the target is a creature other than an undead, it must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Multiattack

The winterghast makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claw or two with its claws.

About Winterghast

Winterghast is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 78 hit points (derived from 12d8+24).

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

GM Tips: Using Winterghast

1 tips available

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

  • Cold Damage Strategy: Cold-based attacks can slow or freeze. Prepare 'Heat Metal' or fire spells as countermeasures. Ice terrain can be used to create difficult terrain for melee characters.

Player Guide: Facing Winterghast

1 strategies available

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

  • Cold Damage Protection: This creature deals cold damage! Get cold resistance or use fire spells. Avoid water surfaces - they can freeze and create difficult terrain. 'Heat Metal' can counter cold.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

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

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 6 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

  • Medium: 2,000 XP
  • Hard: 3,000 XP
  • Deadly: 4,000 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 Winterghast?
Winterghast has a Challenge Rating of 4, making it appropriate for parties of level 4.0.
What type of creature is Winterghast?
Winterghast is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Winterghast speak?
Winterghast can communicate in Common.

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