A Strahd of Mythic Proportions
T
he master of Castle Ravenloft and the ruler of
Barovia, Strahd Von Zarovich is a name
known among hunters, adventurers, and
loreseekers alike. So when a party finally faces
this dreaded creature, the rumored first
vampire, it only makes sense that he lives up to
the reputation.
Enter Mythic Strahd. While many similarities to his
vampiric root remain true, the changes are designed to make
Strahd a more tactical and mobile force of nature. Apart from
the addition of Mythic Abilities, the biggest changes made to
this version of Strahd are as follows:
Spell List It makes no sense for Strahd to have many of
the spells on his list prepared. By this point, he knows the
individuals that have stormed his castle and has made
preparations to deal with them. Because of this, the spells on
this list are meant to provide reliable movement around the
battlefield as well as opportunities to punish those that group
up too closely together. Misty Step and Far Step should be
used for quick getaways or ambushes, while Counterspell is a
good way to punish a player even after all Legendary
Resistances have been used.
Equipment Strahd is a warrior and a strategist. The fact
that he goes into battle unequipped and unarmed is simply
not acceptable. In this version, Strahd is wearing a suit of
enchanted full plate and wielding a sword meant to protect
him against the turn undead abilities of any clerics or
paladins in the group. His Spellguard Shield is going to make
it even easier for him to succeed against magic, and a Ring of
Resistance to Radiant damage will make it easier for him to
keep fighting even with the Sunsword and holy symbol in
play.
The Heart of Sorrow This was kept mostly as written
with the popular exception that the HP that it provides is
doubled to 100 rather than the normal 50.
The Lair of Strahd
Castle Ravenloft is a place of history and power. While within
his castle, Strahd is able to take lair actions as long as he isn't
incapacitated.
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Strahd can
take one of the following lair action options, or forgo using
any of them in that round:
Until initiative count 20 of the next round, Strahd can pass
through solid walls, doors, ceilings, and floors as if they
weren’t there.
Strahd targets any number of doors and windows that he
can see, causing each one to either open or close as he
wishes. Closed doors can be magically locked (needing a
successful DC 20 Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity
(Thieves Tools) check to force open), until Strahd chooses
to end the effect, or until Strahd uses this lair action
again.
Strahd summons the angry spirit of one who has died in
the castle. The apparition appears next to a hostile
creature that Strahd can see, makes an attack against that
creature, and then disappears. The apparition has the
statistics of a specter.
Strahd targets one Medium or smaller creature that casts
a shadow. The target’s shadow must be visible to Strahd
and within 30 feet of him. If the target fails a DC 17
Charisma saving throw, its shadow detaches from it and
becomes a shadow that obeys Strahd’s commands, acting
on initiative count 20. A greater restoration spell or a
remove curse spell cast on the target restores its natural
shadow, but only if its undead shadow has been destroyed.
Strahd calls forth his servants, and they obediently
appear. Strahd can choose from any of the creatures on
the Strahd's Minions table. These creatures appear where
designated by Strahd but within 30 feet. They
immediately take their turn and continue to act on
Initiative count 20 until defeated.
Strahd as a Mythic Encounter
For a group of characters that have managed to travel
Barovia, storm Ravenloft Castle, and face down countless
challenges, the final encounter with Strahd needs to be just
as harrowing. When Strahd is taken to 0 hit points for the
first time in a fight, it is not the end of the encounter. Instead,
he has brought one of the Sarcophagi contained within the
Amber Temple to Ravenloft. After activating his Misty Escape
ability for the first time, Strahd instead enters this
Sarcophagus and steps forth empowered by either the
strength of the Fanes or of Vampyr itself. Unlike the original
ability, this version of Misty Escape activates even if Strahd is
in Sunlight or Running Water.
I have included two options for Mythical Options for
Strahd Based on the source of his Mythic powers.
The Fanes The Curse of Strahd contains a summary of
the story of the Fanes and how their shrines were corrupted
to give Strahd power over the land. Three gems as well as
three standing stone sites correspond with each of these
mysterious fanes, but it's up to the Dungeon Master to
include this story if they so choose. If the Fanes are the
source of his mythic power, Strahd has a variety of abilities
meant to disable and hinder his targets, and he strategically
picks the best opponent to target with any of these abilities.
Vampyr The Dark Power that made Strahd what he is can
also be a deadly source of his mythic power. Where the Fanes
focus on hindering an opponent, Vampyr is about domination
and destruction. Strahd may become more reckless in this
state relying on his ability to heal rapidly and ensnare the will
of one of his opponents instead of simply trying to
incapacitate them.
Mixing and Matching Mythic Powers If some of the
Fanes were restored and not others, it is possible for Strahd
to have a combination of Vampyr and Fane Powers. I have
marked corresponding abilities to the Fane either provides
the ability or that the Vampy Ability replaces. Of course, feel
free to mix and match what you think will work best and be
most enjoyable for your party.
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 Strahd Von Zarovich
Medium Undead (Shapechanger), Lawful Evil
Armor Class 22 (+2 Plate and Spellguard Shield)
Hit Points 144(17d8 + 68)
Temporary Hit Points 100 (Heart of Sorrow)
Speed 30ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
20 (+5) 18 (+4) 18 (+4) 22 (+6) 16 (+3) 18 (+4)
Saving Throws Dexterity +9, Wisdom +8, Charisma
+9 Additionally Strahd has advantage on all
saving throws against magic
Condition Immunities Charmed, Exhaustion,
Frightened
Senses passive Perception 22 Darkvision 120ft
Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic, Giant,
Infernal
Challenge 15 (13,000 XP)
Waking Vampyr. (Mythic Trait; Recharges after a Short
or Long Rest). When Strahd is reduced to 0 hit
points for the first time, he doesn’t die or fall
unconscious. Instead, the floor cracks revealing an
Amber Tomb in the center of the room with a
spectral mist the color of blood stretching out until
it encompasses his falling body. Strahd assumes
gaseous form and enters the Sarcophagus. He then
regains 144 Hit Points as well as an additional 100
Temporary Hit Points. Immediately upon gaining
these hit points, Strahd can move up to his speed
without provoking an opportunity attack.
The Sarcophagus has an AC of 18 and 100 Hit
points. It is immune to psychic, poison,
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from
nonmagical attacks, resistant to damage from
weapons not made from adamantine, and it is
immune to all conditions. After Strahd finishes a
short rest, the Tomb Regenerates all damage and
sinks back into the ground once more. If Strahd's
hit points are reduced to 0 prior to the
Sarcophagus being destroyed, he returns to his
normal tomb to recover as normal. If the
Sarcophagus is destroyed and Strahd reaches 0 hit
points, he is destroyed.
Shapechanger. If Strahd isn't in sunlight or running
water, he can use his action to polymorph into a
bat or a Medium cloud of mist, or back into his true
form. While in bat form his walking speed is 5 feet,
and he has a flying speed of 30 feet. His statistics,
other than his size and speed, are unchanged.
Anything he is wearing transforms with him, but
nothing he is carrying does. He reverts to his true
form if he dies. While in mist form, he can't take
any actions, speak, or manipulate objects. He is
weightless, has a flying speed of 20 feet, can hover,
and can enter a hostile creature's space and stop
there.In addition, if air can pass through a space,
the mist can do so without squeezing, but he can't
pass through water.
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He has advantage on Strength, Dexterity, and
Constitution saving throws and is immune to all
nonmagical damage, except the damage taken from
sunlight.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the vampire fails a
saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Misty Escape. When it drops to 0 hit points outside
its resting place, the vampire transforms into a
cloud of mist (as in the Shapechanger trait) instead
of falling unconscious, provided that it isn't in
sunlight or running water. If it can't transform, it is
destroyed. While it has 0 hit points in mist form, it
can't revert to its vampire form, and it must reach
its resting place within 2 hours or be destroyed.
Once in its resting place, it reverts to its vampire
form. It is then paralyzed until it regains at least 1
hit point. After spending 1 hour in its resting place
with 0 hit points, it regains 1 hit point.
Regeneration. The vampire regains 20 hit points at
the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point and
isn't in sunlight or running water. If the vampire
takes radiant damage or damage from holy water,
this trait doesn't function at the start of the
vampire's next turn. Spider Climb. The vampire can
climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on
ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
Spellcasting. Strahd Von Zarovich is a 9th-level
spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence
(spell save DC 19, +11 to hit with spell attacks).
Strahd Von Zarovich has the following spells
prepared:
Cantrips (at will): Shocking Grasp, Prestidigitation,
Ray of Frost
1st level (4 slots): Absorb Elements, Shield, Magic
Missile
2nd level (3 slots): Suggestion, Hold Person, Mirror
Image, Misty Step
3rd level (3 slots): Slow, Fireball, Counterspell
4th level (3 slots): Resilient Sphere, Greater
Invisibility
5th level (1 slots): Dominate Person, Far Step, Steel
Wind Strike
Vampire Weaknesses. The vampire has the following
flaws:
Forbiddance. The vampire can't enter a residence
without an invitation from one of the occupants.
Harmed by Running Water. The vampire takes 20
acid damage if it ends its turn in running water.
Stake to the Heart. If a piercing weapon made of
wood is driven into the vampire's heart while the
vampire is incapacitated in its resting place, the
vampire is paralyzed until the stake is removed.
Sunlight Hypersensitivity. The vampire takes 20
radiant damage when it starts its turn in sunlight.
While in sunlight, it has disadvantage on attack
rolls and ability checks.
Actions
Multiattack (Vampire Form Only). Strahd makes three
attacks, only one of which can be a bite attack.
Acheron Blade (Vampire Form Only. Melee Weapon
Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9
(1d8 + 6) slashing damage, or 10 (1d10 + 6)
slashing damage if used with two hands plus 5
(2d6) Necrotic damage.
Unarmed Strike (Vampire Form Only). Melee Weapon
Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 8
(1d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage. Instead of dealing
damage, the vampire can grapple the target (escape
DC 18).
Bite (Bat or Vampire Form Only). Melee Weapon
Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one willing creature, or
a creature that is grappled by the vampire,
incapacitated, or restrained. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 5)
piercing damage plus 10 (3d6) necrotic damage.
The target's hit point maximum is reduced by an
amount equal to the necrotic damage taken, and
the vampire regains hit points equal to that amount.
The reduction lasts until the target finishes a long
rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit
point maximum to 0. A humanoid slain in this way
and then buried in the ground rises the following
night as a vampire spawn under the vampire's
control.
Charm. Strahd targets one humanoid he can see
within 30 ft. of him. If the target can see him, the
target must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving
throw against this magic or be charmed by Strahd.
The charmed target regards Strahd as a trusted
friend to be heeded and protected. Although the
target isn't under the his control, it takes Strahd's
requests or actions in the most favorable way it
can, and it is a willing target for Strahd's bite attack.
Each time Strahd or his companions do anything
harmful to the target, it can repeat the saving
throw, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Otherwise, the effect lasts 24 hours or until Strahd
is destroyed, is on a different plane of existence
than the target, or takes a bonus action to end the
effect.
Children of the Night (1/Day). Strahd magically calls
2d4 swarms of bats or rats, provided that the sun
isn't up. While outdoors, Strahd can call 3d6 wolves
instead. The called creatures arrive in 1d4 rounds,
acting as allies of Strahd and obeying his spoken
commands. The beasts remain for 1 hour, until
Strahd dies, or until he dismisses them as a bonus
action.
Legendary Actions
Strahd can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from
the options below. Only one legendary action
option can be used at a time and only at the end of
another creature's turn. Strahd regains spent
legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Move. Strahd moves up to his speed without
provoking opportunity attacks.
Lethal Strike. Strahd makes one melee weapon
attack or an unarmed strike.
Bite (Costs 2 Actions). Strahd makes one bite attack.
Mythic Actions
If Strahd’s mythic trait is active, he can use the
options below as legendary actions, so long as the
Amber Sarcophagus has not been destroyed.
Elemental Control (Swamp Fane). Strahd summons a
sphere of energy at a creature within 60ft. He may
choose acid, cold, fire, lightning, poison, or thunder
for the energy. A creature takes 4d6 damage on a
failed Dexterity save, or half as much damage on a
successful one.
I am the Land (2 Actions) (Mountain Fane). Strahd
chooses one creature within 120 feet to make a
Strength (Athletics) Check equal to Strahd's spell
save DC or sink into the ground up to their waist
and be restrained. If by the end of their next turn,
the creature has not used their action to escape
this effect, they sink into the ground entirely and
begin to suffocate. While underground in this way,
an individual is blind, defeaned, and restrained. They
may use their action to make a Strength (Athletics)
Check in order to pull themselves free.
My Name is Power (2 Actions) (Forest Fane). Strahd
can dispel one magical spell effect on a creature
within 120 feet of him.
All Will Fall (Vampyr Swamp). Strahd can make two
attack rolls. Only one of these can be his bite
attack.
Your Will is Mine (2 Actions) (Vampyr Mountain).
Strahd makes a gaze attack against one creature
within 60ft who must make a Wisdom Saving
Throw or be affected as if by the Dominate Monster
Spell.
Death Sustains Me (2 Actions) (Vampire Forest).
Strahd cretes tendrils of necrotic energy that target
everyone within 20 feet of his square. These
tendrils deal 3d6 Necrotic damage on a failed
Constitution Save or hallf as much on a successful
one. Strahd then regains the total amount of
damage dealt with this action.
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 Equipment
+2 Plate Mail, Ring of Resistance (Radiant), Acheron
Longsword, Spellguard Shield.
Acheron Longsword. Immune to Turn Undead while
wielding the blade. The blade deals an additional 7
(2d6) Necrotic damage when striking a living
target. It also grants the wielder the Dark Blessing
and Disheartening Strike Abilities each usable once
per day. These abilities recharge each day at dawn.
Dark Blessing. 1/day while holding the sword can
use an action to give yourself 1d4+4 temporary hit
points. Disheartening Strike. When you hit a target,
they have disadvantage on their next saving throw.
They are immune to this effect if they are immune
to fear.
Spellguard Shield. The wielder of this shield gains
advantage on Saves against all spells. Additionally,
all spell attacks have disadvantage against the
wielder.