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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jgsugden" data-source="post: 8495334" data-attributes="member: 2629">I have homebrew monsters that I use as greater / leader undead.  They have a draining abilities that they can use, but it is a recharge ability (usually 4 to 6 on d6), and there is a con save to avoid it.  Most of these creatures are legendary, so most can inflict it on attacks on a legendary action.The drains can be used on specified attacks (determined by the creature type) and work like this:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Lose a number of spell slots equal to your proficiency bonus, or half your remaining unused slots (rounded up), whichever is least. These are yor highest remaining spell slots available.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Gain a -2 penalty to attack rolls and reduce the die size for all of your damage rolls by 1.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">At the end of a long rest, repeat the saving throw.  If you succeed, you either gain a recovery token, or spend a recovery token to end the effect.  If you fail the saving throw by more than 5, you gain no benefit from your long rest, you gain a level of exhaustion, and you lose all recovery tokens you possess.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If you die while this effect is in place, you rise as an undead (the rules on how this works differs from creature to creature).  The Greater undead can teleport to any such undead at the moment of its creation.</li> </ul>You must succeed on 2 saving throws after long rests to end the effect, and if you fail one by more than 5, you have to start all over (and incur exhaustion levels).  My Wight Kings deliver it with a touch, usually delivered on a backhand strike they make as a bonus action or reaction that flings PCs up to 15 feet.  Vampire Lords deliver it with a gaze attack they can make as part of a multi-attack.  Elder Wraith's deliver it when they pass through a creature.  Ancient Dracolich deliver it to everyone within their breath weapon, but it recharges on a 6.   Arch-Liches get a special cantrip that does 4d10 necrotic and (if available) delivers this effect (which is something that might be delivered on a legendary action) - and as an added bonus, any humanoid under the effects of this ability may be treated as an additional phylactery for the Arch-lich - which is something that makes Arch-liches hard to kill.  My Mummy Kings/Queens are the nastiest - they have a huge aura, and the first time you enter it or start your turn there, you make the save. You also have a 50% chance to have to repeat it if you start your turn within the aura on subsequent turns.</blockquote>

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