D&D 5E Void Wraith Idea?

[Zardnaar]

This is my idea. I need a spirit of an ancient mage for a level 9 party.

It needs to be CR 12-14 or so and cast spells. An archmage is CR 12.

My idea is that it's spells will be tweaked to use void spells from the Midgard Worldbook.

Also needs to have some wraith traits, and maybe some ability like as a reaction negate incoming damage.

On Midgard the void is kind of like the far realm I suppose but I'm using it for an ancient evil imprisoned and thing like void dragons and other aberrations.

 

[Zardnaar]

Void Wraith


CR 15​

Medium Undead Neutral Evil

Armor Class 17
Hit Points 194 (24d8+96)
Speed 0 ft, fly 60'
Saving Throws. Con +10, Dex+12, Str +12, Wis +7
Str (+7), Dex 24 (+7), Con 18 (+4), Int 20 (+5), Wis 15 (+2), Cha 10 (+0)
Skills Arcana +10, History +10, Stealth +12
Damage Resistances: acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder,
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison, psychic, bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing weapons that are non magicical
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned.
Senses darkvision 120’, passive perception 17
Languages Ancient, Draconic, Void Speech
Challenge 15 (15000 XP)

Battlemage. As a bonus action the Voidwraith may attack once with its shadow blade when it casts a spell.
Incoporial Movement. The void wraith can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.
Magic Resistance The Void Wraith has advantage on saving throws vs magic
Null Void. As a reaction the Void wraith gains immunity to a single source of damage.
Sunlight sensitivity. While in sunlight the voidwraith has disadvantage on attack rolls as well on wisdom checks that rely on sight
Spell Immunity: The Void Wraith is immune to level 1-6 spells

SpellcastingThe Void Wraith is an 18th level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 18, +10 to hit with sell attacks).

Cantrips (at will)

ray of frost, light, mage hand, presdigitation, shocking grasp

1st level (4 slot) detect magic, identifiy, magic missile,
2nd level (3 slots) detect thoughts, mirror image, misty step
3rd level (3 slots) couterspell, lightning bolt, void strike
4th level (3 slots) banishment, fire shield, stoneskin
5th level (3 slots) living shadows, scrying, synaptic static
6th level (1 slot) life drain
7th level (1 slot) teleport
8th level (1 slot) glimpse of the void
9th level (1 slot) foresee

Actions.

Multiattack. The void wraith makes 3 attacks with its shadow blade. It may use energy drain in place of one shadowblade attack.

Shadow blade. Melee +12 to hit, reach 5', one target, hit 28 (6d6+7 psychic damage)

Lifedrain Melee : +12 to hit, reach 5’, one target. Hit 35 (8d6+7) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 20 constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest.

 

[Zardnaar]

The above is the sta block I came up with. Its a CR 12 archmage merged with the wraith and adding the Rakshasa spell immunity.

Throw in a bit of battle magic as well and some 3pp spells for the void part (void is gold, psychic type damage).

Glimpse of the Void is kind of a save or suck spell where you art randomly, Lifedrain is kind of a mass vampiric touch AoE. I replaced the offensive archemage spells with void spells from the Midgard world book.

 

[Coroc]

The above is the sta block I came up with. Its a CR 12 archmage merged with the wraith and adding the Rakshasa spell immunity.

Throw in a bit of battle magic as well and some 3pp spells for the void part (void is gold, psychic type damage).

Glimpse of the Void is kind of a save or suck spell where you art randomly, Lifedrain is kind of a mass vampiric touch AoE. I replaced the offensive archemage spells with void spells from the Midgard world book.

It is ok, but immunity to every weapon but magical should be replaced with resistance. Personally I am fine with the immunity houserule (afaik no mob is immune to PSB nonmagic 5e RAW, but I can be wrong)
But this requires at least one of the players has a magic weapon and the others have some other option e.g. spells.

 

[Zardnaar]

It is ok, but immunity to every weapon but magical should be replaced with resistance. Personally I am fine with the immunity houserule (afaik no mob is immune to PSB nonmagic 5e RAW, but I can be wrong)
But this requires at least one of the players has a magic weapon and the others have some other option e.g. spells.

They all have magic weapons. I treat them as 2 or 3 levels higher due to equipment, ability scores, feats.

They're mostly +1 type weapons but last week the killed a dragon and got a rod of lordly might.

Dragonlances (dragonslayer lance's, spear) and a +1 shocking spear in 3.5 terms is the best they can do apart from that rod (random magic items). Oh and a +1 keen shortswords (crits 19/20).

 

[dave2008]

Void Wraith


CR 15​

Medium Undead Neutral Evil

Armor Class 17
Hit Points 194 (24d8+96)
Speed 0 ft, fly 60'
Saving Throws. Con +10, Dex+12, Str +12, Wis +7
Str (+7), Dex 24 (+7), Con 18 (+4), Int 20 (+5), Wis 15 (+2), Cha 10 (+0)
Skills Arcana +10, History +10, Stealth +12
Damage Resistances: acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder,
Damage Immunities necrotic, psychic, poison, psychic, bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing weapons that are non magicical
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned.
Senses darkvision 120’, passive perception 17
Languages Ancient, Draconic, Void Speech
Challenge 15 (15000 XP)

Battlemage. As a bonus action the Voidwraith may attack once with its shadow blade when it casts a spell.
Incoporial Movement. The void wraith can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.
Magic Resistance The Void Wraith has advantage on saving throws vs magic
Null Void. As a reaction the Void wraith gains immunity to a single source of damage.
Sunlight sensitivity. While in sunlight the voidwraith has disadvantage on attack rolls as well on wisdom checks that rely on sight
Spell Immunity: The Void Wraith is immune to level 1-6 spells

SpellcastingThe Void Wraith is an 18th level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 18, +10 to hit with sell attacks).

Cantrips (at will)

ray of frost, light, mage hand, presdigitation, shocking grasp

1st level (4 slot) detect magic, identifiy, magic missile,
2nd level (3 slots) detect thoughts, mirror image, misty step
3rd level (3 slots) couterspell, lightning bolt, void strike
4th level (3 slots) banishment, fire shield, stoneskin
5th level (3 slots) living shadows, scrying, synaptic static
6th level (1 slot) life drain
7th level (1 slot) teleport
8th level (1 slot) glimpse of the void
9th level (1 slot) foresee

Actions.

Multiattack. The void wraith makes 3 attacks with its shadow blade. It may use energy drain in place of one shadowblade attack.

Shadow blade. Melee +12 to hit, reach 5', one target, hit 28 (6d6+7 psychic damage)

Lifedrain Melee : +12 to hit, reach 5’, one target. Hit 35 (8d6+7) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 20 constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest.

Looks good to me. One comment though, since it is immune to psychic damage twice, does that mean it actual inflicts psychic damage when you attack it with psychic damage

 

[Zardnaar]

Looks good to me. One comment though, since it is immune to psychic damage twice, does that mean it actual inflicts psychic damage when you attack with psychic damage

Work in progress. I'm not sure how much damage it should do with it's attacks.

They're the remnants of ancient void mages that got obliterated in the Day of 1000 sun's.

I don't mind tuning it harder than the MM. More Volos Guide/Tome of Beasts.

 

[dave2008]

Work in progress. I'm not sure how much damage it should do with it's attacks.

They're the remnants of ancient void mages that got obliterated in the Day of 1000 sun's.

I don't mind tuning it harder than the MM. More Volos Guide/Tome of Beasts.

I was just being cheeky. Personally I don't really care about CR anymore and rarely desire to check it for someone's own homebrew. I trust you know what your PCs can handle.

 

[NotAYakk]

Stealth +12

that could be strong.

Damage Resistances: acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder,
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison, psychic, bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing weapons that are non magicical
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned.

all of this is fluff next to the immune to all spells up to 6th level.

Challenge 15 (15000 XP)

while fuzzy, still worth calculating.

Battlemage. As a bonus action the Voidwraith may attack once with its shadow blade when it casts a spell.
Incoporial Movement. The void wraith can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.
Magic Resistance The Void Wraith has advantage on saving throws vs magic
Null Void. As a reaction the Void wraith gains immunity to a single source of damage.

Immune to crit fishing. Strong.

Sunlight sensitivity. While in sunlight the voidwraith has disadvantage on attack rolls as well on wisdom checks that rely on sight

What happens if thr sunlight is from a spell?

Spell Immunity: The Void Wraith is immune to level 1-6 spells

Ah, not cantrips.

SpellcastingThe Void Wraith is an 18th level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 18, +10 to hit with sell attacks).

when doimg monster design include prebuffs and sample 3 round attack routine for balancing purposes.

Cantrips (at will)

ray of frost, light, mage hand, presdigitation, shocking grasp

1st level (4 slot) detect magic, identifiy, magic missile,
2nd level (3 slots) detect thoughts, mirror image, misty step
3rd level (3 slots) couterspell, lightning bolt, void strike
4th level (3 slots) banishment, fire shield, stoneskin
5th level (3 slots) living shadows, scrying, synaptic static
6th level (1 slot) life drain
7th level (1 slot) teleport
8th level (1 slot) glimpse of the void
9th level (1 slot) foresee

foresee is the advantage on everything spell and disadvantage on attacks on you, right?

Actions.

Multiattack. The void wraith makes 3 attacks with its shadow blade. It may use energy drain in place of one shadowblade attack.

lifedrain.
28*2+35=89 melee damage.

But I assume this isn't a melee monster.

28 DPR from bonus action attack.

Synaptic Static at 8th, 6th and 5th for 29d6 aoe is 100 *2/3=66 dpr. plus 28 is 104 dpr. Probably has better attack routines. Foresight makes it 120ish.

Complete immunity to every spell a PC fighting it casts is worth +75% HP. Crit immunity (null void), another quarter. Magic resistance is fluff. Immune to non magic weapons is fluff. Foresight is another 25-50 percent.

What is its "3 round attack sequence"? At least 100 DPR, +12 atk, 17 DC, 400 effective HP, 17 AC. Defensive CR is 20ish, offensive 19ish. So a CR 19ish monster.


Note that saying CR 19 doesn't mean "OMG TOO STRONG", I'm just saying you should build this with your eyes open. A level 9 party can often deal with CR 19 foes, especially if they are daily classes who are prepared and not ground down by previous encounters and are oversized in numbers.

The idea behind using CR is that you can learn how tough a problem your party can actually fight.

The attack routine I did above is a bit boring (static 3 times); a better attack routine might be a higher CR. Its self-immunity the spell lets it use it as both a PBAOE and an area attack, and 1d6 off attack rolls + disadvantage stacks in nasty ways. A level 9 PC with 20 strength and a +1 weapon and a +4 prof has +10 to hit against AC 17. If we assume the 1d6 lands on a 3, that means a 30% hit chance and 0.25% crit chance (which means the reaction to negate doesn't have to be saved for crits; this monster is already pretty crit-immune from disadvantage).

At 5 attacks per round (2*2 melee, 1 ranged cantrip) they'll take 1.5 hits. Subtracting 1 is an average of 0.5 hits (!), but a bit more because there will be many rounds the reaction is useless. So if enemies have static and you have foresight you should use the "immune to damage" on the first hit always.

Going with 0.6 hits from 5 attacks, this is a 0.6/5 = 0.15 hit chance, or the defences of someone with a virtual AC of 28 (!). This monster is nearly immune to level-appropriate attacks.

An interesting question is what it uses for concentration.

Stoneskin is useless. Life drain isn't worth the action. Void Strike is meh. Banishment I guess.

Oh wait. Glimpse of the void. Game breaking I win button; int saves aren't going to be solid enough by level 9, and it lasts 1 minute. The best you can hope for is the PCs have an abjurer and the abjurer doesn't get insane and gets good rolls on its dispel check.

Btw, for a 6th level spell, trap the soul one would be great.

So this wrath knows the PCs are coming (scrying, detect thoughts, etc). It pre-buffs with Foresight (8 hour duration) It can teleport-ambush them. It opens up with a Glimpse of the Void taking most or all of the PCs out. It then uses synaptic static on anyone still sane, and closes to melee range. The first attack that hits is nullified, and PCs have disadvanage, so it takes trivial damage from PC attacks. Non-attacks are ignored, so concentration is likely to hold.

Focusing on the still sane PCs, it tears them apart. Then it turns on the insane PCs and kills most of them before the minute is up. Maybe if they are lucky, one insane PC runs far enough away that it doesn't get killed.

If the PCs aren't ambushed, the creature follows similar tactics. It may have to burn a counterspell to counter PCs counterspells.

Basically, if this dude gets to act, and knows the PCs are coming, the PCs lose. The PCs if they manage to ambush it could possibly drop it before it got to act, on the other hand. 200 HP on AC 17 is something an optimizied level 9 party could pull off.

 

[dave2008]

all of this is fluff next to the immune to all spells up to 6th level.

That's big, I missed that when I just did a quick glance. That is a serious nerf for the casters (even if they still get their cantrips) in this battle. I guess they better have buffing spells!