In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e), the Death Knight is one of the most powerful and terrifying undead creatures players can encounter. Originally introduced in earlier editions of D&D, the Death Knight has remained a staple of the game due to its high combat prowess, dark magical abilities, and tragic backstory. It is the result of a once-noble warrior being transformed into an undead servant by dark powers, often with a personal vendetta tied to their transformation. In this article, we will explore the Death Knight in D&D 5e, examining its stats, abilities, and how to incorporate it into your campaign.
What is a Death Knight?
A Death Knight is a powerful undead creature that was once a mortal warrior, typically a knight or other champion of great skill. After their death, these warriors are resurrected and bound by an evil force—usually a lich, a dark god, or a malevolent entity in the realms of undeath. They are imbued with dark powers, making them formidable foes for even the most experienced adventurers.
While the Death Knight retains much of their former martial prowess, their body is now a hollow shell of their former self. Their heart and soul are bound to the dark force that raised them, and they are driven by an unyielding thirst for vengeance or domination.
Key Characteristics of a Death Knight
Undead Nature: Death Knights are immune to many forms of mortal harm, such as poison and disease. They can be destroyed by powerful magic or specific magical weapons.
Martial Mastery: Once great warriors, death knight 5e maintain their exceptional combat skills even in their undead form, making them highly dangerous in battle.
Dark Magic: Death Knights often wield necromantic and shadow magic, casting spells that can debilitate their enemies or raise other undead to fight for them.
Cursed Existence: They often seek to continue their twisted missions, whether it be vengeance against their former allies or conquering new realms in the name of their dark masters.
Death Knight in D&D 5e: Stats and Abilities
The Death Knight is presented in the Monster Manual and is designed to be a deadly adversary for high-level parties. Here is a look at the creature’s key statistics and abilities.
Death Knight Stats
Armor Class (AC): 20 (plate armor, shield)
Hit Points (HP): 180 (19d10 + 76)
Speed: 30 ft.
STR: 20 (+5)
DEX: 14 (+2)
CON: 18 (+4)
INT: 16 (+3)
WIS: 15 (+2)
CHA: 18 (+4)
These stats reflect a powerful, heavily armored opponent capable of withstanding a significant amount of damage while dealing out heavy blows with their greatsword or other weapons.
Saving Throws and Resistances
Saving Throws: The Death Knight has resistance to several conditions, including necrotic damage and various conditions like poison and fear. This makes it difficult for players to weaken or control the Death Knight through common magical means.
Damage Resistances: The creature has resistance to nonmagical physical damage and to some elemental types, like fire and cold. However, it is vulnerable to radiant damage, which can be particularly useful for clerics or paladins.
Death Knight Actions
One of the hallmarks of a Death Knight is its combination of martial skill and dark magic. Here are some of the key actions it can perform:
Multiattack
A Death Knight can make two melee attacks, typically with its Greatsword or another weapon, depending on the campaign’s needs. These attacks can deal massive damage to any who dare face it in close combat.
Greatsword
The Death Knight is an expert with its greatsword, which deals 2d6 + 5 slashing damage on a hit. This, combined with its high strength, makes it a fearsome opponent in physical combat.
Spellcasting
A Death Knight is capable of casting spells. They can cast spells like a 5th-level cleric and are especially proficient in necromantic and darkness-based magic. Here is a selection of its spells:
At Will: Thaumaturgy (for dramatic effect)
1st Level (4 slots): Inflict Wounds, Shield of Faith, Command, Cause Fear
2nd Level (3 slots): Mirror Image, Hold Person
3rd Level (3 slots): Animate Dead, Bestow Curse
4th Level (3 slots): Blight
5th Level (2 slots): Flame Strike, Cloudkill
The Death Knight’s spell list allows it to control the battlefield with damaging spells, hinder enemies with curses, and raise other undead to fight on its behalf. This makes it not just a formidable fighter but also a capable spellcaster with a variety of tactical options.
Aura of Hate
The Death Knight exudes an aura of dark power. This aura grants it and any of its undead allies within 10 feet a bonus to damage rolls equal to its Charisma modifier (+4). This makes it even more deadly in combat, as it amplifies the offensive capability of any undead creatures it summons or commands.
Hellish Rebuke
When a creature damages the Death Knight, it can use its reaction to cast Hellish Rebuke, dealing 3d10 fire damage to the attacker. This ability is a strong deterrent against attacking the Death Knight head-on, as even a brief encounter may result in severe consequences.
Legendary Actions
Because of the Death Knight’s immense power, it also has access to legendary actions, which allow it to act outside of its turn in the initiative order. Here are its legendary actions:
Attack: The Death Knight makes one melee attack.
Command Undead (Costs 2 Actions): The Death Knight can take control of an undead creature within 60 feet of it, compelling it to follow its commands.
Cast a Spell (Costs 3 Actions): The Death Knight can cast a spell from its list of available spells, often using this ability to cast powerful spells like Animate Dead or Blight during a fight.
These legendary actions enable the Death Knight to exert pressure on the players even outside of its turn, making it a challenging foe in battle.
Roleplaying a Death Knight
Death Knights can be deeply engaging villains or tragic figures within a campaign, especially if the Dungeon Master (DM) takes time to flesh out their backstory. Here are a few ways to incorporate a Death Knight into your story:
A Fallen Hero: The Death Knight could have been a former hero or noble knight who was corrupted or betrayed, turning to evil and seeking vengeance against those who wronged them.
A Dark Servant: The Death Knight may have been raised by an evil entity, a lich, or even a dark god, serving as a powerful general or champion in their dark armies.
A Reluctant Undead: Some Death Knights may retain fragments of their former humanity, creating a tragic villain who struggles with their curse and seeks redemption or revenge.
Their tragic backstory and powerful abilities make Death Knights excellent antagonists in high-level campaigns, especially when tied to themes of redemption, power, and the consequences of making dark bargains.
Conclusion
The Death Knight is one of the most iconic and powerful undead creatures in Dungeons & Dragons 5e. It combines martial strength with dark necromantic magic and commands fear and respect from all who face it. Whether you use it as a terrifying villain, a tragic figure, or a powerful servant of an even greater evil, the Death Knight is a memorable and formidable presence in any campaign. Understanding its abilities, backstory, and potential role can help Dungeon Masters create epic encounters and compelling stories for their players.
