battle before death core ranks

Fighter

Classes Player’s Handbook

Core Fighter Traits Primary Ability Strength or Dexterity Hit Point Die D10 per Fighter level Saving Throw Proficiencies Strength and Constitution Skill Proficiencies

mercenaries—as Fighters, they all share an unparalleled prowess with weapons and armor. And they are well acquainted with death, both meting it out and defying it. Fighters master various

Sword of Kas

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

detrimental property Spells. While the sword is on your person, you can cast the following spells (save DC 18) from it: Call Lightning Divine Word Finger of Death Once you use the sword to

cast a spell, you can’t cast that spell again from it until the next dawn. Spirit of Kas. While the sword is on your person, you gain the following benefits: Battle Hunger. You add 1d10 to your

Paladin

Classes Player’s Handbook

Core Paladin Traits Primary Ability Strength and Charisma Hit Point Die D10 per Paladin level Saving Throw Proficiencies Wisdom and Charisma Skill Proficiencies Choose 2

definition, the life of a Paladin is an adventuring life, for every Paladin lives on the front lines of the cosmic struggle against annihilation. Fighters are rare enough among the ranks of a world&rsquo

Barbarian

Classes Player’s Handbook

Core Barbarian Traits Primary Ability Strength Hit Point Die D12 per Barbarian level Saving Throw Proficiencies Strength and Constitution Skill Proficiencies Choose 2

deepest self. For every Barbarian, their Rage is a power that fuels not just battle prowess, but also uncanny reflexes and heightened senses. Barbarians often serve as protectors and leaders in their

Eye and Hand of Vecna

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

Vecna the Archlich;Vecna was a mighty wizard who, through magic and conquest, forged a terrible empire. For all his power, however, Vecna feared death and took steps to prevent his demise by becoming

a lich. A treacherous lieutenant named Kas the Betrayer;Kas brought Vecna’s rule to an end in a terrible battle. Of Vecna, all that remained were one hand and one eye, grisly Artifacts that

Cleric

Classes Player’s Handbook

Core Cleric Traits Primary Ability Wisdom Hit Point Die D8 per Cleric level Saving Throw Proficiencies Wisdom and Charisma Skill Proficiencies Choose 2: History, Insight

, a Cleric can reach out to the divine magic of the Outer Planes—where gods dwell—and channel it to bolster people and battle foes. Because their power is a divine gift, Clerics typically

Spore of Moander

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

Explosive Core. When the spore is subjected to Fire damage, each creature in a 5-foot Emanation originating from the spore takes 7 (2d6);{"diceNotation":"2d6", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction

":"Explosive Core", "rollDamageType":"Fire"} Fire damage. Rolling Mass. The spore doesn’t need to expend extra movement to move through Difficult Terrain.Multiattack. The spore makes four Tendril

Galvanice Weird

Monsters Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

Death Burst. When the galvanice weird dies, it explodes in a burst of ice and lightning. Each creature within 10 feet of the exploding weird must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw, taking 7 (2d6

);{"diceNotation":"2d6","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Death Burst","rollDamageType":"lightning"} lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.Slam. Melee Weapon

Art Elemental Mascot

Monsters Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

Death Burst. When the elemental dies, it explodes in a burst of colored light. Each creature within 5 feet of the elemental must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or be blinded for 1

elemental mascot, a mage draws power from a blend of all the natural elements, extracting their vibrant colors to craft a swirling outer shell before imbuing its core with a planar spirit. As creatures of

Gladiator Legacy

Monsters Basic Rules (2014)

would hit it. To do so, the gladiator must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.Gladiators battle for the entertainment of raucous crowds. Some gladiators are brutal pit fighters who treat

each match as a life-or-death struggle, while others are professional duelists who command huge fees but rarely fight to the death.

Cadaver Collector Legacy

Monsters Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

until they are called upon by a necromancer, hobgoblin general, or other evil warlord to bolster the ranks of a conquering army. These fearsome constructs obey their summoners until being dismissed

. Cadaver collectors respond to a summons from a mortal only when they are called to the scene of a great battle — either where one is in progress, where one is imminent, or where one once took place

Cadaver Collector

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

the effect on itself with a success.The ancient war machines known as collectors lumber aimlessly across the blasted plains of Acheron until they are called upon by a necromancer to bolster the ranks

great battle—either where one is in progress, where one is imminent, or where one once took place. They encase themselves in the armor and weapons of fallen warriors and impale the corpses of those

Necromite of Myrkul

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

spellbooks and other tomes from wizards outside of the cult. Cult Ranks. A follower of Myrkul wields a flail that has a skull replacing the normal flail’s striking head. Necromite of Myrkul;Necromites

are initiates who have not yet mastered arcane magic and rely on their flails in battle. Skull Lasher of Myrkul;Skull lashers are spellcasters who use magic to augment their combat abilities. The

Night Blade

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

upon their god’s power to blend into the shadows with ease, or even turn invisible for a crucial moment. Cult Ranks. Low-ranking cultists of Bhaal are called night blade;night blades, whom Bhaal

rank are the death’s heads, who can take on the skull-faced guise of their deity to terrify their prey. In combat, they intimidate foes by shrugging off the deadliest attacks with ease, showing that resisting Bhaal’s schemes is futile.

Drow Inquisitor

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

three Death Lance attacks. Death Lance. Melee Weapon Attack: +10;{"diceNotation":"1d20+10", "rollType":"to hit", "rollAction":"Death Lance"} to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d6 + 5

);{"diceNotation":"1d6+5", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Death Lance", "rollDamageType":"piercing"} piercing damage plus 18 (4d8);{"diceNotation":"4d8", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Death Lance

Space Swine

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

also make fine trackers and capable beasts of burden. Space swine that are trained for battle are typically outfitted with half-plate barding and are referred to as death squealers. A fully grown

Flesh Meld

Monsters Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

flesh meld’s core. The stench of death surrounds a flesh meld. When a creature is consumed by a flesh meld, the creature’s mind is merged into the flesh meld’s consciousness. More

Amorphous. The flesh meld can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch without squeezing. Aura of Death. At the start of each of the flesh meld’s turns, each creature within 5 feet of it must

Witherbloom Professor of Decay

Monsters Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

): At will: druidcraft, spare the dying 1/day each: antilife shell, bane, feign death, speak with deadProfessors of decay wield magic that drains and twists the essence of the professors&rsquo

their foes. In battle, they steal the essence of their enemies to heal their own wounds and create spears of sickly green life-draining energy. Witherbloom teachers who espouse the decaying side of the

Drow Inquisitor (Summoner Variant)

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

three Death Lance attacks. Death Lance. Melee Weapon Attack: +10;{"diceNotation":"1d20+10", "rollType":"to hit", "rollAction":"Death Lance"} to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d6 + 5

);{"diceNotation":"1d6+5", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Death Lance", "rollDamageType":"piercing"} piercing damage plus 18 (4d8);{"diceNotation":"4d8", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Death Lance

Fensir Devourer

Monsters Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

Death Curse. When the fensir starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesn’t regenerate, it releases a curse on those around it. Each creature within 30 feet of the fensir when it dies must

, the creature must succeed on a DC 13 Charisma saving throw or take 11 (2d10);{"diceNotation":"2d10", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Death Curse", "rollDamageType":"psychic"} psychic damage

Skeletal Knight

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

damage.Skeletal knights are powerful Undead that arise to serve even more wicked beings—often death knight;death knights. Those who become skeletal knights were typically virtuous in life but betrayed

free to pursue its own ends. Skeletal knights are relentless in battle and difficult to destroy. They cling to the sins that curse them, and they fight until their skulls are reduced to shards. Their

Skull Lasher of Myrkul

Monsters Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

lore. They seek out arcane secrets in ancient ruins, and attempt to steal spellbooks and other tomes from wizards outside of the cult. Cult Ranks. A follower of Myrkul wields a flail that has a skull

replacing the normal flail’s striking head. Necromite of Myrkul;Necromites are initiates who have not yet mastered arcane magic and rely on their flails in battle. Skull Lasher of Myrkul;Skull

Golgari Agent

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

You are a member of a teeming horde — one small part of a sprawling organism. Just as you are part of the swarm, the swarm is part of a larger ecosystem, a never-ending cycle of life, death

Golgari, no fear of death or taboo about the dead, just a fierce affirmation of the cycle. Skill Proficiencies: Nature, Survival Tool Proficiencies: Poisoner’s kit Languages

Champion of Madarua

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.Champions of Madarua represent the most skilled warriors in the faction. Hardened by battle, they lead the charge into the fray and inspire their

, death, and the seasons. Each member bears a small tattoo of a sickle on the inside of their left wrist. Warriors of Madarua recognize and respect the ever-changing complexity of life. In combat

Hobgoblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

death becomes a hero eternal. Young hobgoblins start soldiering when they can walk and heed the mustering call as soon as they can wield their weapons capably. Every legion in the hobgoblins&rsquo

hierarchy, every hobgoblin in a legion has a rank, from the warlord down through a cadre of officers to the soldiers that make up most of its number. These ranks, using the titles most often applied

Catoblepas

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the start of the catoblepas’s next turn. Death Ray (Recharge 5–6);{"diceNotation":"1d6", "rollType":"recharge", "rollAction

":"Death Ray"}. The catoblepas targets one creature it can see within 30 feet of it. The target must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw, taking 36 (8d8);{"diceNotation":"8d8", "rollType":"damage

Warrior of Madarua

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

wielding a melee weapon.Warriors are the foot soldiers of the faction. They thank Madarua for each battle they see and train daily with spears to follow her to victory. Warriors of Madarua Members

of the Warriors of Madarua wear bronze masks that depict the determined the face of Madarua, an ancient Cynidicean god of birth, death, and the seasons. Each member bears a small tattoo of a sickle on

Witherbloom Professor of Growth

Monsters Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

traditional material components. In battle, they flood their allies with vital essence, healing wounds and soothing ailments. Their foes face the wrath of nature itself, from grasping plants and

conjured poisonous vines to avatars of nature’s wrath. These professors teach their students to focus on the growth side of the natural cycle of life and death and to avoid wasting resources. They

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

gather and celebrate, dwell the followers of Yurtrus, the god of disease and death, and Shargaas, the god of darkness and the unknown. Orcs too weak for battle (because of bodily weakness, malformation

tribe to the death. 2 Every serious choice I make must be decided by signs or omens from the gods. 3 I carry the teeth of a great warrior. They inspire me to commit great deeds in battle

Caradoc

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

at his core, the seneschal didn’t return as a skeletal knight but rather as an intangible spirit. Caradoc’s Undead form suits him well, allowing him to possess the living and use unwilling

;The safest place to be is behind the toughest warrior in the room.” Bond. “In life and in death, I’m the only one who matters.” Flaw. “Who can resist a little drama

Greater Death Dragon

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Cataclysmic Rush", "rollDamageType":"necrotic"} necrotic damage. A creature can take this damage only once per turn.Some death dragons manage to retain almost all

of their former selves, albeit twisted by their state of being. These greater death dragons scheme to achieve their ends, all the while amassing and jealously guarding treasure hoards as they did in

Bozak Draconian

Monsters Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

Death Throes. When the draconian is reduced to 0 hit points, its scales and flesh immediately shrivel away, and then its bones explode. Each creature within 10 feet of it must succeed on a DC 10

Dexterity saving throw or take 9 (2d8);{"diceNotation":"2d8", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Death Throes", "rollDamageType":"force"} force damage. Glide. When the draconian falls and isn’t

Giff Warlord

Monsters Spelljammer: Adventures in Space

join the ranks of the warlord’s army, which is mainly made up of mages who helm the ships of the fleet and provide magical firepower, sellswords of various species, and guns for hire in the form

spacefaring giff’s society is organized along military lines. From birth until death, each has a military rank. Promotions don’t depend on time in service but are granted by superiors as

Eater of Hope

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

damage whenever the eater of hope hits it with an attack. On a successful save, the target takes half as much damage and isn’t cursed.An eater of hope is bitter to the core, resentful of all forms

death. The worst of these hateful dead, through ages of bitterness, gradually transform into fiends, the tormentors of the Underworld. The people of Theros know these fiends as demons. Immortal Nature

Viari

Monsters Acquisitions Incorporated

quickly rising in the ranks of Acquisitions Incorporated since joining that august team, Viari has come to head what's known as the organization's Stabbing Department. A potent threat in both dueling

adventurer was nearly cut short during a battle of which the bards still sing. Unleashing a devastating attack with the aptly named Apocalypse Dagger, the rogue destroyed a giant single-handedly — and lost

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