D&D 5E Suggest a monster

[jayoungr]

I have a session coming up this weekend where the PCs (level 6) will be fighting a construct--a portrait of a mage that has come to life. I could homebrew this from the ground up, but I feel like there is probably something like it out there already. Can anyone suggest an existing monster statblock that I could use or modify for this encounter?

Third-party material is okay. I own quite a few third-party bestiaries, and I'm open to checking out ones I don't already have.

 

[Mort]

Why not do a basic mage? CR 6 and add some construct immunities (except maybe vulnerable to fire and/or slashing because portrait).

Then add an ongoing animate objects spell to add difficulty.

If the group is a particularly tough/competent level 6, upgrade to an archmage with some construct immunities, but that and an animate objects could be a tough fight (CR 11+).

 

[Quickleaf]

Death Shroud Golem (ToB2)
Flesh Golem – immobile, replace slam with at-will Witch Bolt,
Idolic Deity (ToB)
Rug of Smothering – with Spellcasting

 

[Voadam]

Do you want an insubstantial image monster like a ghost mage of some sort that you can reskin or just a variant spellcaster without a true soul? Do you want existing caster construct suggestions? Is there a target CR or CR range?

My first thought was the same as Mort of a mage with vulnerability to fire.

 

[aco175]

I was Googling the scroll golem and see several variants that have some cool ideas.

 

[Voadam]

Michael Tresca's Oz Adventures has a portraitborn template.

 

[jayoungr]

Do you want an insubstantial image monster like a ghost mage of some sort that you can reskin or just a variant spellcaster without a true soul?

Either would work. If it's insubstantial, I could give it resistance to non-magical weapon damage.

Do you want existing caster construct suggestions?

If you know of any, yes, please suggest them!

Is there a target CR or CR range?

I have a party of six level 6 PCs, so, something that would be appropriate for them.

 

[MechaTarrasque]

A deathlock mastermind (CR 8, Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes) is a little high, but if you lowered its spell levels to 4th level instead of 5th level, that might make it tough but survivable.

 

[Mort]

A deathlock mastermind (CR 8, Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes) is a little high, but if you lowered its spell levels to 4th level instead of 5th level, that might make it tough but survivable.

That's a neat monster. And CR 8 is more than appropriate for a 6th level party unless they are underpowered or severely depleted.

If it's presented as a solo, then it needs a bit extra (even at CR8) such as a legendary action or 2. Something portrait appropriate, like sucking a foe in.

 

[GreatestHonor]

Perhaps an allip (Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes, pg. 116)

While more of a minion, you could also use bookkeepers (Kobold Press Creature Codex, pg. 55)

Another could be a Manastorm golem (Creature Codex, pg. 203), with some minor revisions.