Lich

5.5e

medium undead, neutral evil

Challenge 21 (33000 XP)

STR
11 (+0)
DEX
16 (+3)
CON
16 (+3)
INT
21 (+5)
WIS
14 (+2)
CHA
16 (+3)

Defense

Armor Class 20 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 315 (42d8+126)
Speed 30 ft.

Proficiencies & Senses

Saving Throws Con +10, Int +12, Wis +9
Skills Arcana +12, History +12, Insight +9, Perception +9
Languages All
Truesight 120 ft.
Passive Perception 19

Traits

Damage Resistances Cold, Lightning
Damage Immunities Necrotic, Poison
Condition Immunities Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned

Traits

Legendary Resistance

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

Ranged Spell Attack: +12 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 4d12 Force damage.

Paralyzing Touch

Melee Spell Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3d6 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): At Will: Detect Magic, Detect Thoughts, Dispel Magic, Fireball (level 5 version), Invisibility, Lightning Bolt (level 5 version), Mage Hand, Prestidigitation 2/Day Each: Animate Dead, Dimension Door, Plane Shift 1/Day Each: Chain Lightning, Finger of Death, Power Word Kill, Scrying

Protective Magic (Reaction)

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

Reference Text

A lich is a powerful undead spellcaster who has cheated death through necromantic rituals. It is a master of arcane magic and commands formidable powers, including the ability to reform after destruction if its spirit jar remains intact.