Goblin Plague-Host

Medium undead, neutral evil

Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 90 (12d6 + 48)
Speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
11 (+0)	16 (+3)	19 (+4)	2 (-4)	9 (-1)	1 (-5)

Saving Throws Dex +6, Wis +2
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages understands the languages it knew in life, but can’t speak
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Cadaverous Appearance. While the plague-host is lying still, it is indistinguishable from a mundane decomposing corpse. It can still be detected by a detect evil and good spell, or similar magic.
• Horde Instincts. The plague-host has advantage on a melee attack roll against a creature if at least two of the plague-host’s allies are within 5 feet of the creature, and the allies are not incapacitated.
• Tenacious Clinger. If the plague-host hits the same creature with at least two attacks on the same turn, it latches onto the target. The plague-host is considered grappled by the target with the following exceptions: The target cannot end the grapple at will, instead it must use its action to attempt a DC 14 Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check, shaking the plague-host off and ending the grapple on a success. The plague-host can end the grapple at will. Until the grapple ends, attack rolls against the target have advantage, and the target has disadvantage on attack rolls and Strength and Dexterity checks that are not made to attempt to shake the plague-host off. Additionally, if two or more creatures with this ability are latched on to the same Large or smaller creature, the target is also grappled. If three or more creatures are latched on to the same Large or smaller creature, the target is also restrained and incapacitated.
• Lesser Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the plague-host to 0 hit points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of 10 + the damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a success, the plague-host drops to 1 hit point instead.

ACTIONS

• Multiattack. The plague-host makes two bite attacks.
• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (3d6 + 3) piercing damage. Additionally, living creatures must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, or take 13 (3d8) necrotic damage and contract the zombie necrosis disease (p.192).

Legendary Actions

The plague-host 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. The plaguehost regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

• Scuttle. The plague-host moves up to 10 feet, without provoking opportunity attacks.
• Bite (Costs 2 Actions). The plague-host makes one bite attack.

ABOUT

Though not much of a threat individually, goblin zombies become much more of a menace when allowed to coalesce into a swarm of gnashing teeth.