D&D 5E 5e Updates: Monstrous Compendium

[dave2008]

-Should be "the languages it knew in life".

I started with the wraith copied from D&D Beyond and it uses caps., I fixed most of them, but I missed these, fixed now - thanks!

 

[dave2008]

I don't like how the specter's attack temporarily reduced the max hp, it is far too weak. Perhaps add some flourishes like in 1e?
"Or it suffers one level of exhaustion and [insert terrifying mechanic here].

I assume you mean the wraith's attack?

Just to be clear the attack reduces max HP and you suffer a level of exhaustion. That seems sufficiently harsh to me.

 

[dave2008]

Why not as a free action? Bonus actions are for cave creatures or shadow-like creatures, but something incorporeal should have no problem blending in.

There aren't really free actions in 5e. I could say it is "no action;" however:

1. RAW those options take an Action, so a bonus action is already a big improvement (+4 to defensive and offensive CR).
2. The wraith needs to choose to use create specter or its incorporeal stealth. I like monsters with options.
3. Most incorporeal monsters don't get these as bonus actions even. The MM wraith, specter, ghost, etc. need a full action to take any of those actions.

 

[dave2008]

OK, I am awakening from my long slumber! In preparation for a write-up of Dragotha, I give you my revised Dracolich Template.

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

I give you my revised Dracolich Template.

I thought dragons became more powerful from becoming dracoliches?

 

[dave2008]

I thought dragons became more powerful from becoming dracoliches?

That is typically how people look at it, but not me. I see it as dragon sacrificing their innate magic and strength to gain immortality / undeath. Personally, I can't except that a dragon without its flesh and scales is stronger than one with them. I know, magic. But a dragon is magical too! It is my bias, I admit. That is why I said may take was different in the Dracolich entry. Besides, the everlasting undeath gives them a chance to overcome the initial deficiencies. That will be apparent when I post Dragotha soon.

 

[dave2008]

OK I have added the infamous undead dragon Dragotha! This is a first pass of added my recent dracolich template to a great wyrm dragon. I have finalized the CR yet, but I think it is close.

Let me know your thoughts!

EDIT: I've update Dragotha's entry with some lore.

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

OK I have added the infamous undead dragon Dragotha! This is a first pass of added my recent dracolich template to a great wyrm dragon. I have finalized the CR yet, but I think it is close.

Let me know your thoughts!

EDIT: I've update Dragotha's entry with some lore.

You forgot vulnerability to bludgening (which I btw think you should drop, instead let your skeletons be resistant to both piercing and slashing). There's some other proofreading needed here and there, but no big deals.
I like him stat-wise, I think, but at the same time I can't feel Dragotha in the stat block. I'm having a hard time pinpointing what it is, but he somehow doesn't feel speciel.
I don't like that he's easier to kill now that he lost Dragon Scales, and didn't really get anything like it in return.

 

[Quartz]

Dragotha targets any number of creatures it can see within 60 feet of it. No target can regain hit points until initiative count 20 on the next round.

I'm a little leery of this. You might want to restrict it to non-magical healing. There should also be protections, like Holy Aura, Protection from Good & Evil, and so on.

 

[dave2008]

I'm a little leery of this. You might want to restrict it to non-magical healing. There should also be protections, like Holy Aura, Protection from Good & Evil, and so on.

I understand, but it is actually not one a made up, I took it from the lair actions of the demilich in the MM. I'm not to worried about it. This is a CR 30 mythic monster afterall. Now, I may need to add a note about a revised CR while in its lair, but I haven't checked that yet.