Death Knight 5e Guide
Medium Undead, Chaotic Evil
At a Glance
CR
17
Type
Undead
Size
Medium
Alignment
Chaotic Evil
AC
20 (plate, shield)
HP
180 (19d8 + 95)
Speed30 ft.
Ability Scores
str
20
+5
dex
11
+0
con
20
+5
int
12
+1
wis
16
+3
cha
18
+4
Key Abilities
| Ability | Description |
|---|---|
| Marshal Undead | Unless surprised, any undead within 60 ft. has advantage on saving throws against features that turn undead. |
| Hellfire Orb | The death knight hurls a magical ball of fire that explodes at a point within 120 ft. Each creature in a 20-foot radius must make a DC 18 Dex save, taking 10d6 fire plus 10d6 necrotic damage on a failure. |
| Spellcasting (19th level paladin) | Spell save DC 18, including destructive wave, staggering smite, banishing smite, and command. |
| Longsword | Melee weapon attack, +11 to hit, 1d8+5 slashing plus 5d8 necrotic damage. |
How to Run This Monster
Death knights are fallen paladins with immense martial and magical power. They open with Hellfire Orb (20d6 damage!) to devastate grouped enemies, then wade into melee dealing 5d8 extra necrotic on every sword hit. They use paladin smite spells to deal even more damage on critical hits. They command undead armies.
Encounter Ideas
A death knight encounter should be the climax of a story about a fallen hero. Give the death knight a tragic backstory — it was once a noble paladin who broke an oath. Its undead army (wraiths, wights, skeletons) reflects its former followers. Defeating the death knight may require redeeming its soul, not just killing its body.
Loot
Death knights carry their equipment from life: magic plate armor (+1 or +2), a magic longsword, and holy symbols corrupted by their fall. Their lairs contain treasures from their former order and trophies from those they've slain (2,000-10,000 gp value).
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
Forgetting Hellfire Orb is a 20-foot radius dealing 20d6 — it's devastating
Common Mistake
Not giving the death knight undead allies — it's a commander
Common Mistake
Missing that the death knight has paladin spellcasting including smites
DM Tips
DM Tip
Every death knight has a story of its fall — make it tragic and specific
DM Tip
They can only be permanently destroyed by redeeming their soul
DM Tip
Lord Soth from Dragonlance is the original death knight — great inspiration
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & Further Reading
- Death Knight — D&D 5e Wikidot — Full stat block
- Death Knight — D&D Beyond — Official monster reference
- Death Knight — Roll20 Compendium — Structured stat block