Bodak 5e

The Bodak is a CR 6 undead creature, resistant to poison, lightning, and luring or scared. It’s immune to fire, cold, and necrotic injury, as well as physical harm from nonmagical weapons. It is proficient at Perception and Stealth, has 120 feet of darkness vision, and is extremely sensitive to sunlight. Therefore it’s exclusively nocturnal and subterranean. The physical capabilities of the animal are consistently good, and its Wisdom, as well as Charisma, are superior to average. However, its intelligence is low, which means its behavior is mechanical and obsessive.

It’s a melee that’s an unarmed attack. However, its real strength lies from the combination of its distinctive characteristics: Aura of Annihilation, Death Gaze, and Withering Gaze. Death Gaze and Aura of Annihilation, specifically, are an extremely dangerous combination. Death Gaze is a devastating attack at the start of a player’s turn. Aura of Annihilation occurs after it.

Death gaze

Death Gaze requires those within 30 feet of it who can see the bodak’s black eyes that are not visible to make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or suffer 3d10 damage to their psychics. If the player fails the save by more than 5 points, the person falls to the ground dead at the moment unless the person is unaffected by being scared. That can be prevented by covering the eyes, but this does grant advantage on attempts to take on the Bodak.

Aura of Annihilation

Aura of Annihilation is a “toggle” feature that can be switched off or on as a bonus action; however, there’s no reason to allow it not to be activated as a default feature, nor is there any reason to switch it off. If it’s turned on, it means that any creatures (aside from fiends and undead) located 30 or more feet from the Bodak after their turn is over (the creatures turn and not that of the bodak’s) is hit with 5 HP of necrotic damage. Also, simply being near the Bodak is unhealthful.

Both effects happen in both the opponent’s turns and do not occur in the bodak’s. As a result, the Bodak can constantly be taking damage even when it’s taking no action. In its turn, it is equipped with Withering Gaze, an ability that deals with necrotic damage that is 4d10 for an unsuccessful DC 13 Constitution save, half that amount if successful–quite much more than its unarmed attack, which is just 1d4 + 2 bludgeoning and 2d8 necrotic. In reality, the sole reason for the Bodak to utilize its fists is if it isn’t able to see its opponents. E.g., if somebody has released the dark spell that even darkvision cannot penetrate or even when they’re invisible.

How to fight a Bodak 5e?

With this array of characteristics, the bodak’s strategy to combat is essentially, “Come at me, bro.” Fighting a Bodak is like fighting fires, and you must not just put out the flames, but do this before you are burned to death. Every enemy who comes in to take it down must run through the gauntlet that is its Withering Gaze, Death Gaze, and Aura of Annihilation.

Being in a position to discern every opponent is more important than any other aspect of the position. A Bodak, for example, is holed into a dark cavern to keep its eye on all path(s) of travel. That is why it might even set itself against walls to ensure that nobody can sneak behind it. Additionally, any approach(es) to the lair of the beast may be large enough to allow passage through with a single file.

In terms of target selection, Certain opponents are more prominent in the list of targets, such as paladins and clerics who can turn off or destroy undead; barbarians with The Mindless Rage feature (which grants immunity to fear), as well as anyone with the ability to use magic weapons or weapon that deals with thunder, acid, force or psychic damage. It concentrates its Withering gaze on the most dangerous enemies; it’s considered opportunistic when no one can meet the criteria.

A Bodak will not flee until it is turned. When the turning stops, it will be right back. The compulsion that kills it is powerful and will not be deterred by any accident that isn’t severe enough to kill it. Put it inside a coffin, but it will still have the aura of damage occur. The players will realize it’s an evil omen or curse. However, it will pop up during the process of problem-solving.

But Bodaks do not always remain in their abodes. They might, for example, explore the countryside to find their victims (the flavor text links them in with Demon Lord Orcus and describes them as agents of his vengeful plans; however, I believe they’re more dandy as menacing spooks who regularly prey on people living in a nearby town). If a Bodak is encountered outside its home, can Dash (action) into its home, if that’s possible to get the advantage of channeling its enemies through an encapsulated move. (This isn’t fleeting, it’s a tactical retreat.) If it’s unable to do that, it will move on the battlefield so that it has the best view of its adversaries and has the least possibility of being outflanked. The swarm will never be left out in the skies that are open enough until sunrise to be captured in the sun’s rising. It will always return to its abode earlier than that. Some of the most clever characters in the game could be waiting to see it once it is back.

What is Bodak 5e and what are the stat block?

Bodak is a Medium undead, chaotic evil

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)

Hit Points 58 (9d8+18)

Speed 30 ft.

STR: 15 (+2)

DEX: 16 (+3)
CON: 15 (+2)
INT: 7 (-2)

WIS :12 (+1)
CHA: 12 (+1)
Skills: Perception +4, Stealth +6

Damage Resistances: cold, fire, necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities: lightning, poison
Condition Immunities: charmed, frightened, poisoned

Senses: darkvision 120 ft.
Languages: Abyssal, the languages it knew in life
Challenge: 6 (2,300 XP)

Aura of Annihilation. The Bodak can activate or deactivate this feature as a bonus action. While active, the aura deals 5 necrotic damage to any creature that ends its turn within 30 feet of the Bodak. Undead and fiends ignore this effect.

Death Gaze. When a creature that can see the Bodak’s eyes starts its turn within 30 feet of the Bodak, the Bodak can force it to make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw if the Bodak isn’t incapacitated and can see the creature. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the creature is reduced to 0 hit points unless immune to the frightened condition. Otherwise, a creature takes 16 (3d10) psychic damage on a failed save.

Unless surprised, a creature can avert its eyes to avoid the saving throw at the start of its turn. Suppose the creature does so. It has a disadvantage on attack rolls against the Bodak until the start of its next turn. If the creature looks at the Bodak in the meantime, it must immediately make the saving throw.

Sunlight Hypersensitivity. The Bodak takes 5 radiant damage when it starts its turn in sunlight. While in sunlight, it has a disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks.

_____________________ Actions _____________________

Fist: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) bludgeoning damage plus 9 (2d8) necrotic damage.

Withering Gaze: One creature that the Bodak 5e can see within 60 feet of it must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw, taking 22 (4d10) necrotic damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.

Source: Volo’s Guide to Monsters