Lich

The lich is a Medium undead of challenge rating 21 in the fifth-edition System Reference Document.

SRD 5.1 (2014)

Lich

Size and type
Medium undead
Challenge
21 (33,000 XP)
Armour class
17
Hit points
135 (18d8+54)
Speed
30 ft
Saving throws
Con +10, Int +12, Wis +9
Skills
Arcana +18, History +12, Insight +9, Perception +9
Resistances
cold, lightning, necrotic
Damage immunities
poison, bludgeoning, piercing and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Condition immunities
charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, poisoned
Senses
truesight 120 ft, passive perception 19
STR11+0
DEX16+3
CON16+3
INT20+5
WIS14+2
CHA16+3

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the lich fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Rejuvenation. If it has a phylactery, a destroyed lich gains a new body in 1d10 days, regaining all its hit points and becoming active again. The new body appears within 5 feet of the phylactery.

Spellcasting. The lich is an 18th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 20, +12 to hit with spell attacks). The lich has the following wizard spells prepared:

Turn Resistance. The lich has advantage on saving throws against any effect that turns undead.

Actions

Paralyzing Touch. Melee Spell Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 10 (3d6) cold damage. The target must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Legendary Actions

The lich can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The lich regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

Cantrip. The lich casts a cantrip.

Paralyzing Touch (Costs 2 Actions). The lich uses its Paralyzing Touch.

Frightening Gaze (Costs 2 Actions). The lich fixes its gaze on one creature it can see within 10 feet of it. The target must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw against this magic or become frightened for 1 minute. The frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a target’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the target is immune to the lich’s gaze for the next 24 hours.

Disrupt Life (Costs 3 Actions). Each non-undead creature within 20 feet of the lich must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw against this magic, taking 21 (6d6) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

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SRD 5.2.1 (2024)

Lich

Size and type
Medium undead
Challenge
21 (33,000 XP)
Armour class
20
Hit points
315 (42d8+126)
Speed
30 ft
Saving throws
Dex +10, Con +10, Int +12, Wis +9
Skills
Arcana +19, History +12, Insight +9, Perception +9
Resistances
cold, lightning
Damage immunities
necrotic, poison
Condition immunities
charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, poisoned
Senses
truesight 120 ft, passive perception 19
STR11+0
DEX16+3
CON16+3
INT21+5
WIS14+2
CHA16+3

Legendary Resistance (4/Day, or 5/Day in Lair). If the lich fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Spirit Jar. If destroyed, the lich reforms in 1d10 days if it has a spirit jar, reviving with all its Hit Points. The new body appears in an unoccupied space within the lich’s lair.

Actions

Multiattack. The lich makes three attacks, using Eldritch Burst or Paralyzing Touch in any combination.

Eldritch Burst. Melee or Ranged Attack Roll: +12, reach 5 ft. or range 120 ft. Hit: 31 (4d12 + 5) Force damage.

Paralyzing Touch. Melee Attack Roll: +12, reach 5 ft. Hit: 15 (3d6 + 5) Cold damage, and the target has the Paralyzed condition until the start of the lich’s next turn.

Spellcasting. The lich casts one of the following spells, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 20):

Reactions

Protective Magic. The lich casts Counterspell or Shield in response to the spell’s trigger, using the same spellcasting ability as Spellcasting.

Legendary Actions

Legendary Action Uses: 3 (4 in Lair). Immediately after another creature’s turn, the lich can expend a use to take one of the following actions. The lich regains all expended uses at the start of each of its turns.

Deathly Teleport. The lich teleports up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space it can see, and each creature within 10 feet of the space it left takes 11 (2d10) Necrotic damage.

Disrupt Life. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 20, each creature that isn’t an Undead in a 20-foot Emanation originating from the lich. Failure: 31 (9d6) Necrotic damage. Success: Half damage. Failure or Success: The lich can’t take this action again until the start of its next turn.

Frightening Gaze. The lich casts Fear, using the same spellcasting ability as Spellcasting. The lich can’t take this action again until the start of its next turn.

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