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Message: <blockquote data-quote="dave2008" data-source="post: 8559757" data-attributes="member: 83242">OK a quick Orcus example. Please note, I would do a lot more to make Orcus a more interesting battle, but this looking primarily at HP and DPR and the minimum changes one could make to the stat block to make it more dangerous.WotC Orcus[spoiler]OrcusHuge fiend (demon) , chaotic evil---Armor Class 17 (Natural Armor), 20 With The Wand Of OrcusHit Points 405 (30d12 + 210)Speed 40 ft., fly 40 ft.---<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>STR</td><td>DEX</td><td>CON</td><td>INT</td><td>WIS</td><td>CHA</td></tr><tr><td>27 (+8)</td><td>14 (+2)</td><td>25 (+7)</td><td>20 (+5)</td><td>20 (+5)</td><td>25 (+7)</td></tr></table>---Saving Throws DEX +10, CON +15, WIS +13Skills <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/basic-rules/using-ability-scores#Arcana" target="_blank">Arcana</a> +12Damage Resistances Cold, Fire, LightningDamage Immunities Necrotic, Poison; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical AttacksCondition Immunities <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/basic-rules/appendix-a-conditions#Charmed" target="_blank">Charmed</a>, <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/basic-rules/appendix-a-conditions#Exhaustion" target="_blank">Exhaustion</a>, <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/basic-rules/appendix-a-conditions#Frightened" target="_blank">Frightened</a>, <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/basic-rules/appendix-a-conditions#Poisoned" target="_blank">Poisoned</a>Senses <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/basic-rules/monsters#Truesight" target="_blank">Truesight</a> 120 ft., Passive Perception 22Languages All, Telepathy 120 ft.Challenge 26 (90,000 XP) Proficiency Bonus +8---Wand of Orcus. The wand has 7 charges, and any of its properties that require a saving throw have a save DC of 18. While holding it, Orcus can use an action to cast <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/animate-dead" target="_blank">animate dead</a>, <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/blight" target="_blank">blight</a>, or <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/speak-with-dead" target="_blank">speak with dead</a>. Alternatively, he can expend 1 or more of the wand’s charges to cast one of the following spells from it: <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/circle-of-death" target="_blank">circle of death</a> (1 charge), <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/finger-of-death" target="_blank">finger of death</a> (1 charge), or <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/power-word-kill" target="_blank">power word kill</a> (2 charges). The wand regains 1d4 + 3 charges daily at dawn.While holding the wand, Orcus can use an action to conjure undead creatures whose combined average hit points don’t exceed 500. These undead magically rise up from the ground or otherwise form in unoccupied spaces within 300 feet of Orcus and obey his commands until they are destroyed or until he dismisses them as an action. Once this property of the wand is used, the property can’t be used again until the next dawn.Innate Spellcasting. Orcus’s spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 23, +15 to hit with spell attacks). He can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:At will: <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/chill-touch" target="_blank">chill touch</a> (17th level), <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/detect-magic" target="_blank">detect magic</a>3/day each: <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/create-undead" target="_blank">create undead</a>, <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/dispel-magic" target="_blank">dispel magic</a>1/day: <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/time-stop" target="_blank">time stop</a>Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Orcus fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.Magic Resistance. Orcus has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.Magic Weapons. Orcus’s weapon attacks are magical.Master of Undeath. When Orcus casts <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/animate-dead" target="_blank">animate dead</a> or <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/create-undead" target="_blank">create undead</a>, he chooses the level at which the spell is cast, and the creatures created by the spells remain under his control indefinitely. Additionally, he can cast <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/create-undead" target="_blank">create undead</a> even when it isn’t night.ActionsMultiattack. Orcus makes two <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/wand-of-orcus" target="_blank">Wand of Orcus</a> attacks.Wand of Orcus. Melee Weapon Attack: +19 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d8 + 8) bludgeoning damage plus 13 (2d12) necrotic damage.Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d8 + 8) piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) poison damage.Legendary ActionsOrcus can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Orcus regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.Tail. Orcus makes one tail attack.A Taste of Undeath. Orcus casts <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/chill-touch" target="_blank">chill touch</a> (17th level).Creeping Death (Costs 2 Actions). Orcus chooses a point on the ground that he can see within 100 feet of him. A cylinder of swirling necrotic energy 60 feet tall and with a 10-foot radius rises from that point and lasts until the end of Orcus’s next turn. Creatures in that area are vulnerable to necrotic damage.[/spoiler]Orcus 2.0 (changes in bold red text)[spoiler]OrcusHuge fiend (demon) , chaotic evil---Armor Class 17 (Natural Armor), 20 With The Wand Of OrcusHit Points 620 (40d12 + 360)Speed 40 ft., fly 40 ft.---<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>STR</td><td>DEX</td><td>CON</td><td>INT</td><td>WIS</td><td>CHA</td></tr><tr><td>27 (+8)</td><td>14 (+2)</td><td>28 (+9)</td><td>20 (+5)</td><td>20 (+5)</td><td>25 (+7)</td></tr></table>---Saving Throws DEX +10, CON +15, WIS +13Skills <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/basic-rules/using-ability-scores#Arcana" target="_blank">Arcana</a> +12Damage Resistances Cold, Fire, LightningDamage Immunities Necrotic, Poison; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical AttacksCondition Immunities <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/basic-rules/appendix-a-conditions#Charmed" target="_blank">Charmed</a>, <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/basic-rules/appendix-a-conditions#Exhaustion" target="_blank">Exhaustion</a>, <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/basic-rules/appendix-a-conditions#Frightened" target="_blank">Frightened</a>, <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/basic-rules/appendix-a-conditions#Poisoned" target="_blank">Poisoned</a>Senses <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/basic-rules/monsters#Truesight" target="_blank">Truesight</a> 120 ft., Passive Perception 22Languages All, Telepathy 120 ft.Challenge 28 (105,000 XP)* Proficiency Bonus +8---Wand of Orcus. The wand has 7 charges, and any of its properties that require a saving throw have a save DC of 18. While holding it, Orcus can use an action to cast <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/animate-dead" target="_blank">animate dead</a>, <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/blight" target="_blank">blight</a>, or <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/speak-with-dead" target="_blank">speak with dead</a>. Alternatively, he can expend 1 or more of the wand’s charges to cast one of the following spells from it: <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/circle-of-death" target="_blank">circle of death</a> (1 charge), <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/finger-of-death" target="_blank">finger of death</a> (1 charge), or <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/power-word-kill" target="_blank">power word kill</a> (2 charges). The wand regains 1d4 + 3 charges daily at dawn.While holding the wand, Orcus can use an action to conjure undead creatures whose combined average hit points don’t exceed 500. These undead magically rise up from the ground or otherwise form in unoccupied spaces within 300 feet of Orcus and obey his commands until they are destroyed or until he dismisses them as an action. Once this property of the wand is used, the property can’t be used again until the next dawn.Innate Spellcasting. Orcus’s spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 23, +15 to hit with spell attacks). He can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:At will: <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/chill-touch" target="_blank">chill touch</a> (17th level), <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/detect-magic" target="_blank">detect magic</a>3/day each: <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/create-undead" target="_blank">create undead</a>, <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/dispel-magic" target="_blank">dispel magic</a>1/day: <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/time-stop" target="_blank">time stop</a><s>Legendary Resistance (3/Day).</s><s> If Orcus fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.</s>Magic Resistance. Orcus has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.Magic Weapons. Orcus’s weapon attacks are magical.Master of Undeath. When Orcus casts <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/animate-dead" target="_blank">animate dead</a> or <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/create-undead" target="_blank">create undead</a>, he chooses the level at which the spell is cast, and the creatures created by the spells remain under his control indefinitely. Additionally, he can cast <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/create-undead" target="_blank">create undead</a> even when it isn’t night.ActionsMultiattack. Orcus makes two <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/wand-of-orcus" target="_blank">Wand of Orcus</a> attacks.Wand of Orcus. Melee Weapon Attack: +19 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d8 + 11) bludgeoning damage plus 39 (6d12) necrotic damage and the target’s hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken,. The reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0. A creature slain in this way rises at the end of its next turn as a zombie under Orcus' control. (Didn't actually need to do this, but it feels thematically correct)Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d8 + 8) piercing damage plus 18 (4d8) poison damage.Teleport. Orcus magically teleports, along with any equipment he is wearing and carrying, up to 120 feet to an unoccupied space he can see.Legendary ActionsOrcus can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Additionally, Orcus can take any unspent legendary actions at the end of the round. Orcus regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.Tail. Orcus makes one tail attack.A Taste of Undeath. Orcus casts <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/chill-touch" target="_blank">chill touch</a> (17th level).Teleport. Orcus uses his Teleport action.Unstoppable. Orcus removes one condition or effect it is suffering. It can do so if it has at least 1 hit point, even while unconscious or incapacitated.Creeping Death (Costs 2 Actions). Orcus chooses a point on the ground that he can see within 100 feet of him. A cylinder of swirling necrotic energy 60 feet tall and with a 10-foot radius rises from that point and lasts until the end of Orcus’s next turn. Creatures in that area are vulnerable to necrotic damage.*The CR calculated to be 27.5, so with the added feature to Wand of Orcus and WotC tends to round up, I made it CR 28[/spoiler]So I think that is a much more dangerous Orcus, it follows your HP and damage guidelines and the DMG guidelines and only moves the CR up to 28. This took 5-10 minutes.  Now, if I really get into what I think a good design of Orcus would be, well that would take a lot more time, but it wouldn't change the CR.</blockquote>

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