Antimagic Susceptibility. The vanguard is protected against antimagic fields, but still slightly susceptible to them. If targeted by dispel magic, the vanguard must succeed on a Constitution saving throw against the caster's spell save DC or be slowed for 1 minute, disabling its Multiattack and reducing its speed to half its maximum speed. It also cannot fly, hover, or use Chromatic Orb for the duration.
Form Ranks. After losing half its maximum HP, the vanguard immediately releases five black swords from its back that animate and become animated ancient swords (no action or reaction required.) Each sword appears in a location within 30 ft of the vanguard, and each one rolls initiative upon being created. While at least one ancient animated sword has 1 or more hitpoints, the black vanguard gains advantage on all saving throws, gains a flying speed of 10 feet, and can hover. After this ability occurs, it cannot be used again until all missing swords are returned or replaced.
Armored Landing. The vanguard takes no damage from falling 40 feet or less.
Multiattack. The vanguard can attack with Titanic Sword twice.
Titanic Sword. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., 1 target. Hit: 14 (3d6 + 4) slashing damage.
Titanic Swipe. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., 1 target plus any adjacent creatures within 5 feet, excluding user. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.
Make separate attack rolls for each affected creature. On hit, the target must make a DC 14 Strength saving throw. On failure, the target is pushed back 10 ft. and knocked prone.
Chromatic Orb. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 90 ft., 1 target. Hit: 19 (4d8 + 1) damage.
The vanguard can choose acid, cold, fire, lightning, poison, or thunder damage while casting it, and the orb will deal that damage type on hit.
Enraged Swipe. The vanguard can attack with Titanic Swipe as its reaction if a hostile creature attacks it within range.
Description
A black vanguard is a powerful, hollow lieutenant that can only be crafted by exceptionally skilled spellcasters with plentiful access to necessary resources. Wielding an oversized greatsword and concealing a magical gem, this living suit of armor is considerably stronger and more intelligent than its counterparts. Due to the dark nature of components needed to craft such a construct, it is often assumed that these beings are naturally evil. Ultimately, their nature is merely a reflection of their creator, who is often willing to go to great and terrible lengths to form their creation.
Imposing Will.
Black vanguards, though not invincible, are notably durable due to their heavy plated armor, which is carefully interlocked and offers little to no gaps to strike through. As such, slashing is generally an ineffective means of damaging them. While other magical constructs such as animated armors would become completely disabled by means of dispelling their magic, the black vanguard is resilient and always retains its function to some degree, all while being immune to many other means of disabling. Its magic is even potent enough to maintain a personality, though this makes psychic means of attack slightly effective against it.
Terrible Force.
Black vanguards possess brute strength seldom seen within any mortal's capabilities. Moreover, they are magically attuned to a powerful, oversized sword that they swing with ease. This blade moves faster than one would predict, and can be used to topple the vanguard's targets. With its notable speed, a black vanguard may even do this in retaliation against its attacking foes. Its armor is also infused with a gem that it uses to channel Chromatic Orbs against its foes, though this usually lacks the same level of damage.
Impeccable Reinforcements.
Perhaps the most dangerous aspect of the black vanguard, however, is that it is never truly alone. Harboring five magical swords in its back, it watches carefully for the moment the battle has turned in the enemy's favor. The vanguard unleashes a surprise upon its foes, a host of ancient living blades that act in its defense. While its blades retaliate and strike at the enemy with their magical darts, the black vanguard lifts its form into the air and supports its allies with its Chromatic Orbs. Once the reinforcements are gone, the vanguard has no choice but to resume direct confrontation. If it is to fall, it shall seek to claim as many as it can in doing so.
(For information about its summoned reinforcements, search for the "Animated Ancient Sword" homebrew monster.)
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