# [Death Knight Aspirant](Rules\Source\bestiary\undead/death-knight-aspirant-xmm.md) *Source: Monster Manual (2024) p. 93* When the leader of a villainous order rises as a death knight, their wicked devotees might join them in their cursed existence as death knight aspirants. These followers bear a measure of their leader's power and serve as they did in life, obediently following the death knight's decrees and heralding its terrible will. ## Death Knights *Haunted Commanders of Unliving Legions* - **Habitat.** Any - **Treasure.** [Armaments](/Rules/Source/tables/random-magic-items-armaments.md) Champions of evil, death knights are armor-clad, skeletal warlords. Combining devastating martial prowess and blasphemous magic, these undying tyrants lead unholy legions against the living or brood in cursed citadels. Every death knight is haunted by a legacy of tragedy and dishonor that drives it to commit greater evils. ```statblock "name": "Death Knight Aspirant (XMM)" "size": "Small or Medium" "type": "undead" "alignment": "Chaotic Evil" "ac": !!int "20" "hp": !!int "178" "hit_dice": "21d8 + 84" "modifier": !!int "4" "stats": - !!int "20" - !!int "10" - !!int "18" - !!int "10" - !!int "12" - !!int "16" "speed": "30 ft." "saves": - "dexterity": !!int "4" - "wisdom": !!int "5" "damage_immunities": "necrotic, poison" "condition_immunities": "[exhaustion](/Rules/Source/conditions.md#Exhaustion), [frightened](/Rules/Source/conditions.md#Frightened),\ \ [poisoned](/Rules/Source/conditions.md#Poisoned)" "senses": "[Darkvision](/Rules/Source/senses.md#Darkvision) 120 ft., passive Perception\ \ 11" "languages": "Abyssal, Common" "cr": "11" "traits": - "desc": "The aspirant has [Advantage](/Rules/Source/variant-rules/advantage-xphb.md)\ \ on saving throws against spells and other magical effects." "name": "Magic Resistance" - "desc": "Undead creatures of the aspirant's choice (excluding itself) in a 60-foot\ \ [Emanation](/Rules/Source/variant-rules/emanation-area-of-effect-xphb.md)\ \ originating from it have [Advantage](/Rules/Source/variant-rules/advantage-xphb.md)\ \ on attack rolls and saving throws. It can't use this trait if it has the [Incapacitated](/Rules/Source/conditions.md#Incapacitated)\ \ condition." "name": "Marshal Undead" "actions": - "desc": "The aspirant makes three Dread Blade attacks." "name": "Multiattack" - "desc": "*Melee Attack Roll:* +9, reach 5 ft. *Hit:* 14 (2d8 + 5) Slashing damage\ \ plus 10 (3d6) Necrotic damage." "name": "Dread Blade" - "desc": "*Dexterity Saving Throw:* DC 15, each creature in a 20-foot-radius [Sphere](/Rules/Source/variant-rules/sphere-area-of-effect-xphb.md)\ \ centered on a point the aspirant can see within 120 feet of itself. *Failure:*\ \ 21 (6d6) Fire damage plus 21 (6d6) Necrotic damage. *Success:* Half damage." "name": "Hellfire Orb (Recharge 5-6)" - "desc": "The aspirant casts one of the following spells, using Charisma as the\ \ spellcasting ability (spell save DC 15):\n\n**At will:** [Phantom Steed](/Rules/Source/spells/phantom-steed-xphb.md)\n\ \n**1/day each:** [Destructive Wave](/Rules/Source/spells/destructive-wave-xphb.md)\ \ (Necrotic), [Dispel Magic](/Rules/Source/spells/dispel-magic-xphb.md)" "name": "Spellcasting" "reactions": - "desc": "Trigger: The aspirant is hit by a melee attack roll while holding a weapon.\ \ _Response:_ The aspirant adds 4 to its AC against that attack, possibly causing\ \ it to miss." "name": "Parry" "source": - "XMM" "image": "/Rules/Source/bestiary/undead/token/death-knight-aspirant-xmm.webp" ``` ^statblock ## Environment any