Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Spectral Guardian

Medium · Undead · CR 6 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts

110 (13d8+52)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-2

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 2300

Initiative Bonus +4

Movement

Fly 60 ft (18.3 m)

Hover Yes

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Blindsight 10 ft (3 m)

Passive Perception 13

Saving Throws

Dexterity +7 Wisdom +6

Languages

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

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

cold, necrotic, poison

Damage Resistances

acid, fire, lightning, thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained

Environments

Arctic or Tundra Caves Coast Desert Forest or Jungle Grassland or Plains Hills Laboratory Lake Mountain Ocean Ruins Sewer Shadowfell The Abyss Astral Plane Elysium Ethereal Plane Feywild Hell Material Plane Plane of Air Plane of Earth Plane of Fire Plane of Water Swamp or Marsh Temple Badlands Tomb Underworld Urban

Traits

Incorporeal Movement

The spectral guardian 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.

Tomb Bound

The spectral guardian is bound to the area it defends. It can't move more than 100 feet from the place it is bound to protect.

Variant: Arcane Guardian

some spectral guardians were not warriors in life, but powerful magic users. An arcane guardian has a challenge rating of 8 (3,900 XP) and the following added trait: Spellcasting. The arcane guardian is a 9th level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 15, +7 to hit with spell attacks). The guardian knows the following sorcerer spells, which do not require material components:

Cantrips (at will): acid splash, chill touch, dancing lights,minor illusion, ray of frost
1st Level (4 slots): mage armor, ray of sickness
2nd Level (3 slots): darkness, scorching ray
3rd Level (3 slots): fear, slow, stinking cloud
4th Level (3 slots): blight, ice storm
5th Level (1 slot): cone of cold

Withering Miasma

A creature that starts its turn in the spectral guardian's space must make a successful DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 18 (4d8) necrotic damage and its hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken. This reduction lasts until the creature finishes a long rest.

Actions

Multiattack

The spectral guardian makes two spectral rend attacks.

Spectral Rend

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) necrotic damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened and have its speed reduced to 0; both effects last until the end of its next turn.

About Spectral Guardian

Spectral Guardian is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 6. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 110 hit points (derived from 13d8+52).

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

GM Tips: Using Spectral Guardian

2 tips available

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

Flight Control Strategy: Target flying creatures with spells like 'Hold Person', 'Web', or 'Grease' to ground them. Without flight restriction, they can escape melee range easily. Consider area denial spells below their flight altitude to force them into disadvantageous positions.
Incorporeal Movement: This creature can pass through objects and walls! Use 'Magic Circle', 'Forcecage', or other magical barriers. Physical obstacles are ineffective.

Player Guide: Facing Spectral Guardian

2 strategies available

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

Counter Flight Advantage: This creature can fly! Use ranged attacks, reach weapons, or spells like 'Thunderwave' to push it away. Consider 'Gust of Wind' or 'Earthbind' to ground it. Melee characters need fly speed or flight magic to engage.
Hit Incorporeal Creature: This creature can pass through objects! Use magical weapons or spells. Physical attacks may not work. 'Magic Missile' or 'Spiritual Weapon' are effective.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 6.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 9 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 4,200 XP
Hard: 6,300 XP
Deadly: 8,400 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 Spectral Guardian?: Spectral Guardian has a Challenge Rating of 6, making it appropriate for parties of level 6.0.
What type of creature is Spectral Guardian?: Spectral Guardian is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Spectral Guardian speak?: Spectral Guardian can communicate in understands the languages it knew in life but can't speak.