D&D 5e Monster Conversion: Barghest

Noting that the Barghest was missing from the Monster Manual, I decided to try my hand at converting the d20 version.

I'm not certain about the challenge ratings. I'm going to do some more comparisons to the Monster Manual to determine. It's hard to tell how much tougher the damage resistance makes these creatures.

I tried to make the spell selection as close to the d20 version, but I think I need to add in a "Rage" equivalent because that would appear to be an important component of the tactics of the 3.x version. If you have any suggestions for the spell abilities, let me know in the comments.


Note: This version of the Barghest comes from the d20 System Reference Document with the stat block converted by the D&D 1E/3E to 5E Monster Converter by +Brent Newhall. It is presented under the terms of the OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a.

Barghest

A barghest is a lupine fiend that can take the shape of a wolf or a goblin. In its natural form, it resembles a goblin-wolf hybrid with terrible jaws and sharp claws. As whelps, brghests are nearly indistinguishable from wolves, except for their size and claws. As they grow larger and stronger, their skin darkens to bluish-red and eventually becomes blue altogether. A full-grown barghest is about 6 feet long and weighs 180 pounds. A barghest’s eyes glow orange when the creature becomes excited.

Sly Ambusher. Barghests can claw and bite, no matter what their form, and usually disdain weapons. Though they love killing, they have little stomach for direct combat and attack from ambush whenever possible. Barghests start a combat by using Bane and Charm Monster to keep opponents off balance. They try to stay away from the enemy’s main strength.

A barghest’s natural weapons, as well as any weapons it wields, are treated as evil-aligned and lawful-aligned for the purpose of overcoming resistance. Its natural weapons are treated as magic weapons for the purpose of overcoming resistance.

Occasionally, a greater barghest uses a magic two-handed weapon in combat instead of its claws, giving it two attacks with that weapon. It can also make its bite attack each round. 

Barghest

Medium Outsider, lawful evil

Armor Class 14
Hit Points 33 (6d8+6)

Skills Deception +4, Stealth +4, Perception +4
Senses Darkvision, 60 ft.
Languages Goblin, Worg, and Infernal
Challenge 2

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
17 (+3)	15 (+2)	13 (+1)	14 (+2)	14 (+2)	14 (+2)

Damage Resistance. Bludgeoning, piercing and slashing from non-magical weapons.

Keen Smell. Advantage on Perception checks related to scent.

Shapechanger. The barghest can use its action to polymorph into goblin, wolf or back into its true form. Its statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. In goblin form, a barghest cannot use its natural weapons but can wield weapons and wear armor. In wolf form, a barghest loses its claw attacks but retains its bite attack. It reverts to its true form if it dies.

Innate Spellcasting. The barghest's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 14)

At will (action) — Blink, Levitate, [Rage - need 5e equivalent]

At will (bonus action) — Pass without Trace

1/day — Bane, Charm Monster , Dimension Door, Nystul's Magic Aura

Feed. When a barghest slays a humanoid opponent, it can feed on the corpse, devouring both flesh and life force, as an action. It may not move during the round it feeds and any voluntary or forced movement interrupts the feeding. Feeding destroys the victim’s body and prevents any form of raising or resurrection that requires part of the corpse. There is a 50% chance that a Wish or True Resurrection spell can restore a devoured victim to life. Check once for each destroyed creature. If the check fails, the creature cannot be brought back to life by mortal magic. 

A barghest advances in Hit Dice by consuming corpses in this fashion. For every three suitable corpses a barghest devours, it gains 1 Hit Die, and its Strength, Constitution, and natural armor increase by +1. Its proficiency bonus and saves improve as normal for an outsider of its Hit Dice.

The barghest only advances by consuming the corpses of creatures whose levels are equal to or greater than its own current total. A barghest that reaches 9 Hit Dice through feeding immediately becomes a greater barghest upon completion of the act. A greater barghest can reach a maximum of 18 Hit Dice through feeding.

Actions

Multiattack. The barghest makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claws.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8+3) damage.

Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6+3) damage.

Greater Barghest

Large Outsider, lawful evil

Armor Class 15
Hit Points 76 (9d10+27)

Skills Deception +7, Stealth +6, Perception +7
Senses Darkvision, 60 ft.
Languages Goblin, Worg, Infernal
Challenge 4

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
20 (+5)	16 (+3)	16 (+3)	18 (+4)	18 (+4)	18 (+4)

Damage Resistance. Bludgeoning, piercing and slashing from non-magical weapons.

Keen Smell. Advantage on Perception checks related to scent.

Shapechanger. The greater barghest can change shape into a goblinlike creature of Large size (about 8 feet tall and 400 pounds) or a dire wolf. In goblin form, a greater barghest cannot use its natural weapons but can wield weapons and wear armor. In dire wolf form, a greater barghest loses its claw attacks but retains its bite attack.

Innate Spellcasting. The greater barghest's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 16). Caster level equals the greater barghest’s HD. In addition to the spell-like abilities all barghests possess, a greater barghest gains the following abilities.
At-Will — Greater Invisibility
3/day — Enhance Ability, Reduce/Enlarge

Actions

Multiattack.  The greater barghest makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8+5) damage.

Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6+5) damage.