understands all languages it knew in life but can't speak
Traits
Incorporeal Movement. The specter can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the specter has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Actions
Life Drain. Melee Spell Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 10 (3d6) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the creature finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.
How many specters for a fight?
A specter is worth 200 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many specters fit each difficulty for a party of four characters of the same level. A dash means even one would be over the budget.
Party level
Low
Moderate
High
1st
1
1
2
2nd
2
3
4
3rd
3
4
8
4th
5
7
10
5th
10
12+
12+
6th
12
12+
12+
Budgets add up every monster’s XP, so you can swap some for other creatures of the same total. Try other party sizes and mixes in the encounter calculator.
How the specter compares at CR 1
Against the 24 other challenge 1 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the specter has more hit points than 4 of them, which makes it one of the frailest at its CR. See every CR 1 monster.
Statistic
Specter
CR 1 average
Armor Class
12
12.9
Hit points
22
28
Best attack bonus
+4
+4
Specter 2024 stat block
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the specter, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
Speed: 0 ft., fly 50 ft. (hover) → 30 ft., fly 50 ft. (hover).
Understands Common plus one other language but can’t speak
Traits
Incorporeal Movement. The specter can move through other creatures and objects as if they were Difficult Terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) Force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the specter has Disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls.
Actions
Life Drain. Melee Attack Roll: +4, reach 5 ft. Hit: 7 (2d6) Necrotic damage. If the target is a creature, its Hit Point maximum decreases by an amount equal to the damage taken.
