D&D 5E Bugbear Zombies

[Mhyr]

(LMoP-spoiler in the first paragraph!)
As my players emptied Wave Echo Cave, but didn't finish the dungeon all the way through, I need to restock it. (The spectator and the wraith along with the skeletons remained.) So I decided that the destroyed ghouls and zombies attracted some gricks from the underdark and the dead bugbears were animated as zombies due to the corrupted arcane powers of the Cave.

I wasn't happy with the standard medium zombie, so I created these bugbear zombies following the rules for monster creation in the DMG. I used the paragraph "Creating Quick Monster Stats" (DMG p. 274) in the first place and checked/adjusted the stats I got from this using the paragraph "Creating a Monster Stat Block" (DMG p. 275). What I ended up with is this:

BUGBEAR ZOMBIE
Medium undead, neutral evil
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Armor Class 13 (hide armor, shield)
Hit Points 43 (5d8+20)
Speed 20 ft.
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STR 17 (+3) DEX 8 (-1) CON 19 (+4) INT 3 (-4) WIS 7 (-2) CHA 5 (-3)
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Saving Throws Wis +0
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 8
Languages understands Common, Goblin
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
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Brute. MM p. 33

Undead Fortitude. MM p. 316

ACTIONS
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 10 (2d6+3) bludgeoning damage.

Please criticize/use/playtest if you feel like! Thank you, Mhyr!!

EDIT: Update 1: Dexterity 8 (-1), Wisdom 7 (-2)

 

[tannersharp]

Looks really cool, I'm super exited beacuse that's the quest I am on, we just encountered 11 zombies and someone who I think is a necromancer after we defeated the red brands

 

[tannersharp]

Sorry for making two messaged back to back but whould you mind if I use these zombie bug bears? I think they are a great idea

 

[Mhyr]

tannersharp, please feel free to use this critter! If you do so, it would be really nice to hear/read from your experience.

EDIT: oh, perhaps I interpreted your reply wrong. Are you player or dungeon master? If you are a player and want to animate a dead bugbear to a bugbear zombie you should definitely check back with your DM.

 

[tannersharp]

Awsome I will text the DM now

 

[Mhyr]

Awsome I will text the DM now

And now I just hope I haven't spoiled too much...
Off to add a LMoP- spoiler tag to the original post.

 

[tannersharp]

don't worry you haven't we already found out about the cave, I assumed it would be zombies or ghouls.

 

[Pickles III]

Why 14 AC? 10 seems more in keeping with the other zombies (well 8 but he's strangely nimble)

Also WIS 7 is -2 so should be +0 save & 8 Passive perception.

Seems like a reasonable interpolation.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Zombies strangely don´t get a penalty to dexterity...

 

[Mhyr]

Don't have my books at hand, so everything from the top of my head:

Why 14 AC? 10 seems more in keeping with the other zombies (well 8 but he's strangely nimble)

I started off with the "Creating Quick Monster Stats" and came up with AC 13 for a CR 1 monster. I looked at the bugbear with AC 16 (2 from hide armor, 2 from shield, 2 from dex) and as I wanted a tougher zombie I figured that the risen bugbear kept its armor and shield, but its abilities were modified. The following modificators I gathered from the other zombies:

+2 str, -4 dex, +4 con, int drops to 3, -4 wis, cha drops to 5

But I guess a dex of 8 would be still viable for a CR 1 monster resulting in AC 13. Although a zombie putting a shield to effective action might be a bit far fetched.

Also WIS 7 is -2 so should be +0 save & 8 Passive perception.

Of course you are right! *blush*

Zombies strangely don´t get a penalty to dexterity...

Yeah, as said AC 13 works for a CR 1 monster perfectly and dex 8 has the shambling zombie vibe you are missing!