Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn. You are proficient with improvised weapons and your unarmed strike uses a d4 for damage. Past Adventurers in a Magic Pit. But of course, having monsters scream and shuffle towards your party gets old after a while, so how do you make zombies fresh in the minds of your characters and the players who play them? On a roll of 1, the herd leaves the area. When you are prone, standing up uses only 5 feet of your movement. The diseased target cant regain hit points, and its hit point maximum decreases by 7 (2d6) for every 24 hours that elapse. Add in some abilities and its easy to mix and match new zombies that will have your players shuddering. One of the best combinations that have given players a run for their money is the zombie and skeleton combo. While the characters are scavenging, traveling, or camping in the wilderness, roll a d20 three times per day of game time, checking for encounters each morning, afternoon, and evening or night. Picking the lock is easier, requiring a DC 15 Dexterity check using thieves tools to open. Attack. Instead, items and equipment are traded, with food being the common gold standard.. Quick Strikes (Ex): Whenever a fast zombie takes a full-attack action, it can make one additional slam attack at its highest base attack bonus. Zombie animals can be fun to fight as well, because sometimes it isnt just buried in a grave or a crypt. In addition, other creatures dont gain advantage on attack rolls against you as a result of being unseen by you. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Since the 5e Zombies are a bit plain to my liking, here are a . How to build challenging encounters against a Zombie. You lose any trade points that you dont spend during character creation. This action uses 10 pieces of its automatic rifles ammunition. So the zombies are slow, shuffling, and they slam you to death. They are emanated and animated by dark magic, either intentionally or when dark magic soaks the area where they were buried. Your choice grants you features at 1st level and again at 3rd and 7th level. The zombie does two Overwhelm attacks as an action. A zombie with the Great Undead template applied to it. Some of the skills in Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition are obsolete in ZACS 5e. Many vehicles are available to characters in a modern setting. Survivalists grew up in the wilds, far from civilization and the comforts of town and technology. 3. Card Text: Field of the Dead enters the battlefield tapped. Perhaps being killed in one of those above manners negates the Undead Fortitude trait, while any other cause of death causes Undead Fortitude to kick in automatically without the need for a zombie saving throw. While they arent going to defeat the party outright unless some bad dice rolls are made or the party has been bloodied from a previous encounter, they will force the party to spend some spell slots, healing items, and other resources that they could have used against tougher enemies. Entertainers thrive in front of an audience. Effects that suppress magic, such as an antimagic field, halt the progression while subjected to the effect but remove no stacks. Str 23 Dex 6 Con 21 Wis 6 Int 3 Cha 5 Saving Throws: Wis: +2 Damage Immunities: cold, poison Condition Immunities: poisoned Senses: Damage leaves lingering effects in ZACS 5e. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses the chosen skill. 0.00. In ZACS 5e, a background works as a characters origin story and grants particular background traits which act similar to the way racial traits do in Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition. Equipment. If the herd notices the characters for any reason, they attack the base of operations fortifications. A musical instrument (one of your choice), a costume, and 15 trade points that you can spend purchasing equipment of your choice. Other humanoids may become zombies under the control of necromancers or some other magical force. The ideal of the survivor has three classic expressions: Expert, Fighter, and Leader. A Prone creature has disadvantage on attack rolls. Skill Proficiencies. If this encounter occurs at the base of operations, 3d4 bandits lead by a bandit leader try to sneak into the characters camp and murder them. The creature is overcome with shaking. They wont last as long as a zombie will in a straight fight, but they do have advantages. Variants. To address this, I wanted to tap into the things that I find scary about Zombies-- being overwhelmed by a horde (getting grappled, pulled prone, and eaten), & the danger of a festering bite (a long-form disease mechanic that stays meaningful in a world of clerics). Any character on guard is warned of the attack with a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Perception) check. Skill Proficiencies. New Pages | Recent Changes | Privacy Policy. There are a few things the zombie 5e is not. Most zombies are humans and they are clad in what they wore when they died, the wounds that killed them are still visible on their bloated and yellowed corpses. You can also have zombie monsters, such as minotaurs and bugbears, or even a zombie dragon. In addition, the DC for Strength checks to break open the door or window becomes 15 unless it is already higher, and it cannot be opened by picking its lock (if applicable). These doors have an AC of 19 with 25hp. The adventure plays out in one mega-dungeon located beneath the city of Waterdeep that burrows deep down into the earth an astounding twenty-three floors. Healers are able physicians. It gains Multiattack. Survivor, Dead. Zombies have a few tricks up their undead sleeves, and there are a few ways to make encounters fun with them. Actors, musicians, and public speakers make excellent entertainers. Jan 31, 2021 @ 1:06pm. At 7th level, you can use your action to try to get uncanny insight about one humanoid you can see within 30 feet of you. At 1st level, you are adept at giving well-timed assistance. Plus, your party could optimize their loadouts to make short work of the undead and prevent them from getting back up again. Roll a result on page 259 of the Dungeon Masters Guide. The zombies count as difficult terrain. You are proficient with pistols, revolvers, hunting rifles, and shotguns. And you may not select a feat in place of an ability score improvement. Diplomacy. Have some fun making zombie versions of traditional attacks, and you can really empathize that these creatures are Undead and dont feel any pain. To do so, the zombie must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon. Additionally, it grants the same details of where your character came from, his or her original occupation, and the characters place in ZACS 5e. For each zombie, roll a d6 to determine it's type on the Variant Chart. So to fix that, treat each mob-squad as having each variation of every zombie within that squad. Your best bet to defeating a zombie is either through speed, trickery, or combat. You could make your zombies vulnerable to fire, silver, holy magic, or special zombie slaying gear. Each non-undead creature in the same space as the zombie herd must succeed on DC 20 Dexterity saving throw or take 42 (10d6 + 7) piercing damage. In addition, you have 15 trade points that you can spend purchasing equipment of your choice. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) piercing damage, and the creature must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or contract zombie rot. Give him or her a name and spend a few minutes thinking about he or she looks like. Typically, nobles are descended from powerful families who own considerable assets and may wield significant influence. Spd 30 ft. Melee slam +4 (1d6+4). Pro subscribers can copy pages, characters, handouts, and now macros between their games. The creatures flesh decays. Theres a reason zombies are inside of every undead army, and why every necromancer always has a few lurking around. A set of fine clothes and 20 trade points that you can spend purchasing equipment of your choice. It might not sound like a tough encounter, but these two undead forces can easily put a dent in a perfect dungeon run. On a roll of 1, the herd leaves the area. Furthermore, backgrounds act as both the race and origin for a character, offering up roleplaying notes and traits. Their bodies may appear either exactly like a living one of their race but with the differing skin, or may be almost unrecognizable from how mangled it is. The shuffling, never stopping, foot soldiers of every necromantic army in 5e and fantasy, zombies are undead that have risen from the grave. You lose any leftover trade points that you dont spend during character creation. Your Charisma score increases by 2. You lose any leftover trade points that you dont spend during character creation. The wound heals if someone tends to the wound and makes a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours. Animate Dead says: Choose a pile of bones or a corpse of a Medium or Small humanoid within range. You gain proficiency in Wisdom (Insight) and Charisma (Persuasion). Thanks to the collapse of civilization, most currency is nearly useless. When you reach 4th level, and again at 6th and 8th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 1. | d20HeroSRD 1. Of course, its not always possible to simply hole up in a location and live there. They could still hover but many of their eye rays were . Their compulsion is obedience to the orders of their controller, which usually involves killing interlopers. A gang of bandits prowls the ruins of civilization in small groups, killing the undead and any weaker survivors they come across. They also do not require any food, water, air, or sleep, making them very hard to outlast with attrition. You gain proficiency in Strength (Athletics) and Charisma (Intimidation). When they would contract a stack of necroplague, roll a d20. | True20 SRD At 3rd level, your attack rolls score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20 on the d20. With only 22 hit points, a well-placed Fireball spell rolling below . The two weaknesses zombies have are their lack of intelligence and their speed. Brawler. Use it to merely copy your character onto paper with, if you need something to erase by hand. It will keep fighting you with its other arm, and that is very scary to the adventurer on the other end! Similar to light crossbows, shortbows are martial ranged weapons. Use Hungry + Virulent to keep the virus spreading in play longer. As a survivor, you have the following features. Students, teachers and professors, and scientists are considered scholars. Weapon Proficiencies. Combat Readiness. 2. And ZACS 5e, of course. In addition to the Players Handbook tools normally offered to characters, there are also toolsets for modern jobs such as auto mechanics, electricians, and plumbers tools. If damage reduces the zombie to 0 hit points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of 5 +the damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. Bonus Proficiencies. Machete. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 30/90 ft., one target. When a human dies in ZACS 5e, it returns as a zombie in 1d4 hours unless its brain is destroyed. | 2d20SRD Variant Zombies. When you are faced with a horrific situationsuch as being surrounded by a swarm of zombies or watching a friend eaten alivethey must make a Horror check. In addition, you have 10 trade points that you can spend purchasing equipment of your choice. Zombies stumble through roaring infernos, into pools of acid, and across fields littered with caltrops without hesitation. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Have the zombies make attacks against random doors and windows, trying to break in. Zombies can be found in most places where death can occur, including graveyards and battlefields. Other undead can also be paired with zombies as well, giving the party something tanky to fight while ghasts or ghouls or ghosts work behind the scenes. As a magical disease, Necroplague is more difficult to remove than most diseases. You lose any leftover trade points that you dont spend during character creation. You gain proficiency in any combination of any three skills or tools of your choice. Answer: While most horror movies tell us to aim for the head when it comes to handling zombies, the 5e official statblock doesnt show any vulnerabilities or weaknesses for zombies. On a success, the zombie drops to 1 hit point instead. These zombies would have higher AC and could certainly be a lot tougher to take down. Basic automobiles (those having two axles) do not require proficiency to operate. Examples are included below: ZACS 5e is a dangerous world and survivors are not nearly as tough as traditional Fifth Edition adventurers. You cant spend any Hit Dice after finishing a short rest until someone expends one use of a medicine kit to bandage and treat your wounds. If your hit point maximum drops to 0, you die. Dodge. Bite. You gain a +5 bonus to initiative and you cant be surprised while you are conscious. Double their movement speed if you want to make them "fast" zombies. Whether your party is traipsing through a cemetery at night, assaulting the necromancers tower, or defending against an undead incursion, they will be dealing with zombies. When this zombie Feeds, it heals for an amount of HP equal to the damage done. Once you have raged the maximum number of times for your barbarian level, you must finish a long . You gain proficiency in Charisma (Deception) and Charisma (Persuasion). Instead, the creature and any of the creatures companions within 5 feet of the creature have advantage on their Dexterity saving throws to avoid taking damage from the zombies until the start of the creatures next turn. Automatic Pistol. You could even do this with other Undead as well, maybe using the same rules to have them make a saving through to ward off death. Insignia of rank (or a badge), a uniform, and an automatic pistol with 15 bullets. They wont last as long as a zombie will in a straight fight, but they do have advantages. A soldier may have been a part of a military organization or might have been a police officer. Doctors and nurses are healers. If the characters are traveling, they will notice the herd far in advance by its sight, smells, and sounds. Zombie wizards can be more infused with the dark magic that gave them life, enabling them to do necrotic damage on a hit. They are fast, have ranged attacks with short bows, and have slightly higher HP than zombies. Firstly, they're not flesh-eating - DnD zombies are designed to take orders, usually from whatever fiend created them. Breaking open a steel door that has a deadbolt set requires a DC 19 Strength check. Answer: No, in 5e zombies have no bite attack and dont turn you into a zombie if their attacks touch or pierce your skin. Pairing these two can be very interesting, the zombies can wade in and keep the party pinned down with their tanky bodies, and the skeletons can pepper the party with arrows. Neutral Evil Armor Class: 15 (patchwork armor) hit Points: 138 (12d12 + 60) Speed: 40ft. You gain proficiency in Wisdom saving throws. Otherwise, the zombies notice and attack (see below). The traveling characters will have to travel around the herd or wait for it to pass if they wish to continue forward. Both are (usually) former humanoids, raised from death through necromancy to act as minions without free will or personality. Once they rise, they either follow the commands of a master or wait in the area for something to kill, attacking all living creatures once they are seen. Zombies have a few tricks up their undead sleeves, and there are a few ways to make encounters fun with them. Once you have killed the Zombie, it is once again a corpse and can be animated, or even resurrected. Choose one of these skills. The Zombie can be found in the Monster Manual page 314. Detect Thoughts 5e Guide: When, Why and How to Use It, Hand Crossbow 5e Guide For Everyone but Druids and Wizards. You can also shorten encounters by having creatures flee when they lose tactical advantage or most of their hit points. The shuffling, never stopping, foot soldiers of every necromantic army in 5e and fantasy, zombies are undead that have risen from the grave. Solid wood doors have an AC of 15 and 15 hp. Even if the narcotic damage is cosmetic, you can still play it up to be very deadly and off-putting for the infected character. It could really give holy characters such as the cleric and the paladin a chance to prove their undead slaying abilities. Scale for Party Size & Level: Usually I give specific instructions for how to scale an encounter, such as boosting save DCs or adding HP to the creatures. These creatures would be the same statistically as their living counterparts, but the zombies low intelligence, wisdom, and would be immune to poison would be. Zombie rabbits (and other cute animals) will cause people to leave the countryside and increase the population of cities. Roll another d20 and check the Encounters table for the terrain appropriate to where the characters and their base are. Skill and Tool Proficiencies. In addition, you have 15 trade points that you can spend purchasing equipment of your choice. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 50/150 ft., one target. Your rage lasts for 1 minute. A Strength check of 25 is required to bend steel bars. When inflicted with the disease and at the end of each day after, gain one stack of Necroplague. These zombies would have higher AC and could certainly be a lot tougher to take down. Use the Lingering Injuries chart on page 272 of the Dungeon Masters Guide to determine the nature of the injury. The table below shows how much meat an inexperienced butcher may be able to harvest from a creature, especially after a battle may have ruined some of the meat (i.e. Step 1) Let's Review what we know aboutZombies. The animals are in good shape but are actively hunted by another group of survivors or bandits. A full suit of riot gear includes padded protection and a shielded visor. In addition, you have proficiency with Charisma saving throws. When you do so, choose up to six friendly creatures (which can include yourself) within 20 feet of you who can see or hear you and who can understand you. Otherwise, the fight would play out as normal. Equipment. Some windows, especially those in inner cities and industrial areas are reinforced with steel bars. Choose a Background. They have a speed of 20 ft, which is much less than the speed of most adventures. Roll a d20 three times per day of game time, checking for encounters each morning, afternoon, and evening or night. Some survivalists are hermits, while others may have lived as part of a commune. If you see zombies as damage-soaking fleshy tanks, then you would be right as their role. Actions Slam. Bite. 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