In Dungeons & Dragons 5e, the Death Knight is one of the most terrifying and iconic undead creatures. It combines the power of a seasoned warrior with the dark magic and immortality that comes with being part of the undead. With its strength, legendary actions, and sinister presence, the Death Knight is a challenge for even the most experienced adventurers. Whether it is used as an adversary, a powerful NPC, or an important part of the story, understanding the nature and abilities of a Death Knight can enhance your gameplay experience.
In this article, we will dive deep into the mechanics, lore, and uses of the Death Knight in Dungeons & Dragons 5e, exploring its background, abilities, tactics, and how to make the most of this formidable foe or character.
What is a Death Knight?
A Death Knight is a powerful undead creature that was once a mortal knight or warrior who gave in to dark powers and was then raised from the dead by a malevolent force. Often, they are servants of powerful evil deities or dark wizards. They are typically corrupted by necromantic magic or vows made in life to serve a higher dark power, such as a demon or an evil god. This transformation results in them being reborn as an undead knight with immense strength, magical abilities, and an unyielding loyalty to the force that raised them.
Death Knights are typically depicted as wearing heavy armor, wielding powerful weapons, and possessing an aura of darkness that causes terror among those who face them. They often carry a commanding presence, leading armies of the undead, and their very existence often ties into significant evil plotlines.
Death Knight in D&D 5e: Stats and Abilities
In 5e, the Death Knight is presented as a CR 17 (Challenger Rating) monster, meaning it is a serious threat for a party of level 17 adventurers or lower. Below are the key stats and abilities that make the death knight 5e an especially formidable foe:
1. Armor Class (AC): 20 (plate armor, shield)
With an AC of 20, a Death Knight is well-protected from most physical attacks. A party will have to rely on high-damage spells or other magic-based attacks to bypass its defense.
2. Hit Points (HP): 180 (19d10 + 76)
Death Knights possess a large pool of hit points, making them difficult to bring down in combat. This level of endurance means that they can withstand prolonged fights and keep fighting until the end.
3. Speed: 30 ft.
Despite being undead, Death Knights retain their ability to move at a reasonable speed, allowing them to position themselves tactically during combat.
4. Strengths and Damage Resistance:
- Damage Immunities: Necrotic, Poison
- Damage Resistances: Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Their resistance to certain types of damage means they can take prolonged assaults, especially from less magical or mundane sources of damage.
5. Legendary Actions
Legendary actions allow a creature to act outside of its normal turn, and the Death Knight has three legendary actions to utilize per round:
- Attack: The Death Knight makes a weapon attack.
- Move: The Death Knight can move up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
- Command Undead: The Death Knight can command an undead creature that it can see within 60 feet. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be controlled by the Death Knight for 1 minute.
These actions make the Death Knight an unpredictable and challenging opponent in battle, allowing it to continue attacking or adjusting its position while avoiding the limitations of a single turn.
6. Spellcasting
Death Knights possess an array of powerful spells that enable them to control the battlefield, debuff enemies, and further assert their dominance. Their spellcasting abilities include:
- At Will: Detect Magic, Darkness
- 3/day each: Animate Dead, Blight, Counterspell, Dispel Magic, Flame Strike
- 1/day each: Circle of Death, Power Word Stun, Telekinesis
The Death Knight’s spells add both utility and combat effectiveness. With spells like Animate Dead, it can raise an army of minions to help overwhelm adventurers, while Blight and Flame Strike can dish out immense damage.
7. Aura of Hate
One of the most dangerous abilities of a Death Knight is its Aura of Hate. This aura extends in a 10-foot radius around the knight, bolstering the power of all undead within range. Any undead creature within the aura adds +2 to its damage rolls. This makes the Death Knight not only a physical powerhouse but also an inspirational figure for other undead forces in its command.
8. Divine Smite (Necrotic Version)
Death Knights retain a version of the smite ability they once had as mortals. When they hit with a melee weapon attack, they can expend a spell slot to deal extra necrotic damage. This ability can make their attacks especially deadly against living creatures, adding another layer of threat when facing one.
Tactical Considerations for Fighting a Death Knight
A Death Knight’s combination of physical power, spellcasting, and undead minions makes it a highly dangerous opponent. Below are a few tips for handling this fearsome foe:
1. Undead Minions
The Animate Dead spell allows the Death Knight to raise minions to fight for it, potentially overwhelming adventurers with numbers. It’s essential to take out the minions quickly or focus on disrupting the Death Knight’s ability to raise more undead. Spells or abilities that affect undead, such as Turn Undead or Destructive Wave, can be crucial in dealing with these minions.
2. Dealing with Spells
The Death Knight is a potent spellcaster, and its range of spells can severely disrupt a fight. Counterspell is one of its most dangerous tools, especially if the adventurers rely on spells for damage or control. Dealing with the Death Knight’s magic will require quick thinking, either by silencing it with spells like Silence or using disruptive spells to limit its effectiveness.
3. Target the Aura of Hate
The Aura of Hate boosts undead minions, so it’s essential to engage the Death Knight as soon as possible to limit the damage output of surrounding undead. The aura is a 10-foot radius, so using ranged combatants or spells that target a larger area can keep enemies out of the aura and allow you to limit the damage from minions.
4. Conserve Resources
Given the Death Knight’s high HP, significant resistances, and ability to summon undead, conserving resources for the right moments is key. Spells that deal radiant damage, such as Sunbeam or Guiding Bolt, are particularly effective against undead and can help make a meaningful impact on the fight.
The Lore and Role of Death Knights in Your Campaign
Death Knights are more than just powerful foes—they are steeped in rich lore and can play an essential role in your campaign’s narrative. Whether you choose to use them as enemies, allies, or central figures in a larger story arc, they can serve many purposes:
- Villainous Figures: Death Knights are natural antagonists for campaigns centered on evil deities, demon lords, or necromancers. They can serve as commanders of undead armies, carrying out dark schemes to take control of kingdoms or world events.
- Undead Lords: A Death Knight might lead a faction of undead creatures, ruling over a region in the shadow of an evil empire. Adventurers could seek to challenge or investigate their tyranny.
- Redemption or Revenge: A campaign can center on the quest for the redemption of a fallen knight who was turned into a Death Knight, or the retrieval of a lost artifact or magical item they possess.
Conclusion
Death Knights are among the most powerful and dangerous foes in Dungeons & Dragons 5e. Their combination of martial prowess, dark magic, and commanding presence on the battlefield makes them a significant challenge for any party. By understanding their abilities, lore, and tactics, Dungeon Masters can create memorable encounters and stories, while players can use careful strategy to survive the wrath of these terrifying undead knights. Whether they are enemies to overcome or characters to build stories around, Death Knights hold an important place in the world of D&D.
