# [Death Knight Aspirant](3-Mechanics\CLI\bestiary\undead/death-knight-aspirant-xmm.md)
*Source: Monster Manual (2024) p. 93*
When the leader of a villainous order rises as a death knight, their wicked devotees might join them in their cursed existence as death knight aspirants. These followers bear a measure of their leader's power and serve as they did in life, obediently following the death knight's decrees and heralding its terrible will.
## Death Knights
*Haunted Commanders of Unliving Legions*
- **Habitat.** Any
- **Treasure.** Armaments
Champions of evil, death knights are armor-clad, skeletal warlords. Combining devastating martial prowess and blasphemous magic, these undying tyrants lead unholy legions against the living or brood in cursed citadels. Every death knight is haunted by a legacy of tragedy and dishonor that drives it to commit greater evils.
```statblock
"name": "Death Knight Aspirant (XMM)"
"size": "Small or Medium"
"type": "undead"
"alignment": "Chaotic Evil"
"ac": !!int "20"
"hp": !!int "178"
"hit_dice": "21d8 + 84"
"stats":
- !!int "20"
- !!int "10"
- !!int "18"
- !!int "10"
- !!int "12"
- !!int "16"
"speed": "30 ft."
"saves":
"Dexterity": !!int "4"
"Wisdom": !!int "5"
"damage_immunities": "necrotic, poison"
"condition_immunities": "[exhaustion](3-Mechanics/CLI/rules/conditions.md#Exhaustion),\
\ [frightened](3-Mechanics/CLI/rules/conditions.md#Frightened), [poisoned](3-Mechanics/CLI/rules/conditions.md#Poisoned)"
"senses": "darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 11"
"languages": "Abyssal, Common"
"cr": "11"
"traits":
- "desc": "The aspirant casts one of the following spells, using Charisma as the spellcasting\
\ ability (spell save DC 15):\n\nAt will: [Phantom Steed](3-Mechanics/CLI/spells/phantom-steed-xphb.md)\n\
\n1/day each: [Destructive Wave](3-Mechanics/CLI/spells/destructive-wave-xphb.md)\
\ (Necrotic), [Dispel Magic](3-Mechanics/CLI/spells/dispel-magic-xphb.md)"
"name": "Spellcasting"
- "desc": "The aspirant has [Advantage](3-Mechanics/CLI/rules/variant-rules/advantage-xphb.md)\
\ on saving throws against spells and other magical effects."
"name": "Magic Resistance"
- "desc": "Undead creatures of the aspirant's choice (excluding itself) in a 60-foot\
\ [Emanation](3-Mechanics/CLI/rules/variant-rules/emanation-area-of-effect-xphb.md)\
\ originating from it have [Advantage](3-Mechanics/CLI/rules/variant-rules/advantage-xphb.md)\
\ on attack rolls and saving throws. It can't use this trait if it has the [Incapacitated](3-Mechanics/CLI/rules/conditions.md#Incapacitated)\
\ condition."
"name": "Marshal Undead"
"actions":
- "desc": "The aspirant makes three Dread Blade attacks."
"name": "Multiattack"
- "desc": "Melee Attack Roll: +9, reach 5 ft. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) Slashing damage\
\ plus 10 (3d6) Necrotic damage."
"name": "Dread Blade"
- "desc": "Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 15, each creature in a 20-foot-radius [Sphere](3-Mechanics/CLI/rules/variant-rules/sphere-area-of-effect-xphb.md)\
\ centered on a point the aspirant can see within 120 feet of itself. Failure:\
\ 21 (6d6) Fire damage plus 21 (6d6) Necrotic damage. Success: Half damage."
"name": "Hellfire Orb (Recharge 5-6)"
"reactions":
- "desc": "Trigger: The aspirant is hit by a melee attack roll while holding a weapon.\
\ _Response:_ The aspirant adds 4 to its AC against that attack, possibly causing\
\ it to miss."
"name": "Parry"
"source":
- "XMM"
"image": "3-Mechanics/CLI/bestiary/undead/token/death-knight-aspirant-xmm.webp"
```
^statblock
## Environment
any