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Nihilethic Zombie

Medium · Undead · CR 1 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts

9 (natural armor)

22 (3d8+9)

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 20 ft (6.1 m)

Swim 30 ft (9.1 m)

Climb 10 ft (3 m)

Crawl 10 ft (3 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 8

Saving Throws

Wisdom +0

Languages

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

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

cold, necrotic, poison; bludgeoning, piercing and slashing from nonmagical attacks (only when in ethereal form)

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

poisoned

Traits

Dual State

Like its nihileth creator, a nihilethic zombie can assume either a material or ethereal form. When in its material form, it has resistance to nonmagical weapons. In its ethereal form, it is immune to nonmagical weapons. Its ethereal form appears as a dark purple outline of its material form, with a blackish-purple haze within.

Undead Fortitude

If damage reduces the nihileth to 0 hit points, 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 hit point instead.

Actions

Form Swap

As a bonus action, the nihilethic zombie can alter between its material and ethereal forms at will.

Sacrifice Life

A nihilethic zombie can sacrifice itself to heal a nihileth within 30 feet of it. All of its remaining hit points transfer to the nihileth in the form of healing. The nihilethic zombie is reduced to 0 hit points and it doesn't make an Undead Fortitude saving throw. A nihileth cannot be healed above its maximum hit points in this manner.

Slam

+3 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 4d6 acid damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) bludgeoning damage and the target must make a successful DC 13 Constitution saving throw or become diseased. The disease has little effect for 1 minute; during that time, it can be removed by bless, lesser restoration, or comparable magic. After 1 minute, the diseased creature's skin becomes translucent and slimy. The creature cannot regain hit points unless it is at least partially underwater, and the disease can only be removed by heal or comparable magic. Unless the creature is either fully submerged or frequently doused with water, it takes 6 (1d12) acid damage every 10 minutes. If a creature dies while diseased, it rises in 2d6 rounds as a nihilethic zombie. This zombie is permanently dominated by the nihileth that commands the attacking zombie.

Withering Touch (Ethereal Form)

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

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

Reactions

Void Body

The nihilethic zombie can reduce the damage it takes from a single source by 1d12 points. This reduction cannot be applied to radiant damage.

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 9 and possesses 22 hit points (derived from 3d8+9).

Nihilethic Zombie has communication capabilities including understand 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

1 tips available

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

Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 30 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.

Player Guide: Facing Nihilethic Zombie

1 strategies available

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

Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 30 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.

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