D&D 5E 5e Updates: Mythic, Epic, and Hardcore Monsters

[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 looking 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.

 

[dave2008]

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 was already think of dropping the vulnerability, so I might to that. I just added it because that is what skeletons have in the 5e MM. I already gave Dragotha resistance to piercing damage, but I don't plan to extend that to slashing.

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.

Yep, I had a similar feeling too. One thing I wanted to add is a gaze attack that Dragohta had in 3.5e & 4e. Not sure that is enough to make it "feel" like Dragotha though. I may have to go back and look at Age of Worms and see if there is anything there to help.

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.

I do though. I want a dracolich to be weaker than a dragon. Dragons see become a lich as a curse and weakness, IMO. Now, it can cast shield at will so it basically has a +5 buff to AC.

Basically, what a dragon gets from lichdom is undead immortality in exchange for a withering of its body and elemental vigor. It is not a boon for a dragon

PS - I forgot to give Dragotha magic resistance as well.

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

I just added it because that is what skeletons have

Liches don't

 

[dave2008]

Liches don't

I know. I've taken it out. I am making changes to the template and Dragotha right now. I just had to do it before I could start my "real" work day.

 

[dave2008]

I've updated Dragotha. I tried to add some more of its 3.5e flavor back with a quickened breath and paralyzing gaze. I also cleaned up a few things.

I think it probably needs one more pass to be finished, but that is for another day.

 

[dave2008]

I keeping with the undead dragon theme, I give you the: Ancient Green Dragon Zombie

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

I like it better. Not sure I'm keen on the quick breath meaning there will be no breath the rest of the encounter, espcially combined with:

Necroctic Beam. Dragotha exhales a beam of necrotic energy in a 300-foot line that is 5 feet wide. The first creature in the line must make a DC 25 Dexterity saving throw, taking 260 (40d12) necrotic damage or half as much damage on a successful one. Additionally, each creature within a 20-foot radius of the initial target must make a DC 25 Dexterity saving throw, taking 33 (6d10) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A creature reduced to 0 hit points by this attack dies and is burned to a pile of ash.

So only one target suffer the full effect? Otherwise, it's not clearly worded. If more than one creature are affected, should it be "each creature in the line", and then "each creature within a 20-foot radius of the first target..."?
If only one target, and no more breath weapon for the encounter, will old D. ever use the quick breat line attack, I wonder.

 

[dave2008]

I like it better.

Great!

Not sure I'm keen on the quick breath meaning there will be no breath the rest of the encounter, espcially combined with:

So only one target suffer the full effect? Otherwise, it's not clearly worded. If more than one creature are affected, should it be "each creature in the line", and then "each creature within a 20-foot radius of the first target..."?
If only one target, and no more breath weapon for the encounter, will old D. ever use the quick breat line attack, I wonder.

Quick Breath doesn't work with Necrotic Beam, only Necrotic Breath as stated in Quicken Breath. Yes, quicken breath comes at a cost. In 3.5e it increased the recharge time by 4 rounds, which was essential until the next encounter. I use 10 minute short rest, so it wasn't such a big deal to me, but I might clarify that.

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

Quick Breath doesn't work with Necrotic Beam, only Necrotic Breath as stated in Quicken Breath.

Ah, missed that.

I use 10 minute short rest, so it was such a big deal to me, but I might clarify that.

might be a good idea

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

And it's good to have you back, Dave!

 

[dave2008]

And it's good to have you back, Dave!

It's good to be back!