Vampire 5e Guide
Medium Undead, Lawful Evil
At a Glance
CR
13
Type
Undead
Size
Medium
Alignment
Lawful Evil
AC
16 (natural armor)
HP
144 (17d8 + 68)
Speed30 ft.
Ability Scores
str
18
+4
dex
18
+4
con
18
+4
int
17
+3
wis
15
+2
cha
18
+4
Key Abilities
| Ability | Description |
|---|---|
| Bite | Melee weapon attack, +9 to hit. 1d6+4 piercing plus 3d6 necrotic damage. Target's HP max is reduced by the necrotic damage taken, and the vampire regains HP equal to that amount. |
| Charm | One humanoid within 30 ft. must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom save or be <a href="/rules/conditions/charmed-condition-5e/">charmed</a>. The charmed target regards the vampire as a trusted friend. |
| Shapechanger | The vampire can use its action to polymorph into a Tiny bat, a Medium cloud of mist, or back into its true form. |
| Legendary Actions (3/round) | Move without provoking opportunity attacks, Unarmed Strike, or Bite (costs 2 actions). |
How to Run This Monster
Vampires are cunning manipulators who prefer to avoid direct combat. They charm key party members, use children of the night (wolves, bats, rats) as distractions, and strike with bite attacks to heal and weaken. If reduced to 0 HP, they turn to mist and retreat to their coffin.
Encounter Ideas
Vampire encounters work best in Gothic settings — castles, mansions, fog-shrouded villages. Play up the horror and social manipulation. The vampire may invite the party to dinner before revealing its true nature. Remember its weaknesses: sunlight, running water, stakes through the heart while in its resting place.
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
Forgetting the vampire's weaknesses (sunlight, running water, radiant damage)
Common Mistake
Not using the vampire's social abilities before combat begins
Common Mistake
Ignoring the vampire's Misty Escape — it turns to mist at 0 HP instead of dying
DM Tips
DM Tip
Vampires make excellent recurring villains with complex motivations
DM Tip
Use vampire spawn as lesser threats that lead back to the master
DM Tip
The coffin and its location should be a quest in itself
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & Further Reading
- Vampire — D&D 5e Wikidot — Full stat block
- Vampire — D&D Beyond — Official monster reference
- Vampire — Roll20 Compendium — Structured stat block