Rust Wraith
Medium undead, chaotic evil
Challenge Rating: 5 (1,800 XP)
Stats
Armor Class: 14 Hit Points: 67 (9d8 + 27) Speed: 0 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (-2) | 18 (+4) | 16 (+3) | 10 (+0) | 12 (+1) | 15 (+2) |
Damage Resistances: acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks Damage Immunities: necrotic, poison Condition Immunities: charmed, exhaustion, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained Senses: darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11 Languages: understands the languages it knew in life but can’t speak
Abilities
Incorporeal Movement. The rust wraith 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.
Corroding Aura. Any nonmagical metal object that comes within 5 feet of the rust wraith begins to corrode. Metal armor worn by creatures in this area reduces its AC bonus by 1 (to a minimum of +0). Weapons that hit the rust wraith take a permanent -1 penalty to damage rolls. The effect is cumulative. Armor or weapons reduced to -5 or lower are destroyed.
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the rust wraith has disadvantage on attack rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks.
Actions
Multiattack. The rust wraith makes two corrosive touch attacks.
Corrosive Touch. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) necrotic damage. If the target is wearing metal armor or carrying a metal shield, the armor or shield takes a permanent -1 penalty to its AC bonus (as per Corroding Aura).
Rusting Shriek (Recharge 5-6). The rust wraith releases a piercing metallic shriek. All creatures within 30 feet must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or take 18 (4d8) thunder damage and have disadvantage on attack rolls until the end of their next turn. All metal objects in the area are affected as if by the Corroding Aura.
Description
Rust wraiths are the vengeful spirits of blacksmiths, artificers, or warriors who died surrounded by corroding metal. They appear as ghostly, oxidized silhouettes trailing wisps of rust-colored mist. Their touch causes metal to decay instantly, making them particularly feared by armored opponents.
Tactics
Rust wraiths prefer to hover just out of melee range, using their Corroding Aura to weaken armored foes before closing in. They use Rusting Shriek when surrounded by multiple enemies.
Lore
DC 10: Rust wraiths haunt old forges, abandoned armories, and shipwrecks. DC 15: Their corrosive touch can destroy even magical weapons if given enough time. DC 20: Rust wraiths are vulnerable to attacks from wooden or stone weapons, and spells that create or control metal can sometimes bind them.