Vampire Spawn
Medium Undead, neutral evil
1,800 XP
Special Abilities
Regeneration
The vampire regains 10 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.
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 when it ends its turn in running water.
Stake to the Heart. The vampire is destroyed if a piercing weapon made of wood is driven into its heart while it is incapacitated in its resting place.
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
The vampire makes two attacks, only one of which can be a bite attack.
Bite
Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one willing creature, or a creature that is grappled by the vampire, incapacitated, or restrained. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) 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.
Claws
Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 8 (2d4 + 3) slashing damage. Instead of dealing damage, the vampire can grapple the target (escape DC 13).
Quick Reference
Running This Encounter
Vampire Spawn are cunning undead thralls that serve their vampire masters. Use them as lieutenants commanding lesser undead or as minions protecting a vampire's lair. Leverage their charm and multiattack abilities to create dangerous encounters. Balance the encounter by using terrain and reinforcements rather than raw numbers.
Combat Tactics
Vampire Spawn use their charm ability to isolate and control party members before engaging in combat. They multiattack with claws and bites, focusing on weakened or isolated targets. When threatened, they attempt to flee to water or shadows to regain control of the encounter.
Environment & Setting
Vampire Spawn thrive in gothic castles, dark catacombs, and swampy coastal regions with plenty of shadows and water. These undead prefer enclosed spaces where they can use their charm to separate party members.