Shadow Demon

Monster Manual (2025) p. 273

Size
Medium
Type
fiend (demon)
Alignment
chaotic evil
AC
14
Initiative
3
Hit Points
66 (12d8+12)
Speed
walk 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover)
Saving Throws
Dex +5, Cha +4
Skills
Stealth +7
Resistances
acid, bludgeoning, cold, fire, lightning, piercing, slashing, thunder
Immunities
necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities
exhaustion, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained
Senses
darkvision 120 ft.
Passive Perception
11
Languages
Abyssal; telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge
4
Environment
planar (abyss)
STR
1
−5
DEX
17
+3
CON
12
+1
INT
14
+2
WIS
13
+1
CHA
14
+2

Traits

Proficiency Bonus

+2

Demonic Restoration

If the demon dies outside the Abyss, its body dissolves into ichor, and it gains a new body instantly, reviving with all its Hit Points somewhere in the Abyss.

Incorporeal Movement

The demon can move through other creatures and objects as if they were Difficult Terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) Force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.

Light Sensitivity

While in Bright Light, the demon has Disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls.

Actions

Umbral Claw

Melee Attack Roll: +5, reach 5 ft. Hit: 16 (3d8 + 3) Psychic damage.

Shadow Stealth (Bonus Action)

While in Dim Light or Darkness, the demon takes the Hide action.

Other data

description

Shadow demons form when exceptionally wicked demons are destroyed and prevented from reconstituting their physical forms in the Abyss. This might occur due to divine intervention, when a demon is destroyed in the Abyss, or under more unusual circumstances. Shadow demons are the incorporeal remnants of these destroyed demons' evil. They usually vaguely resemble their former shapes, but some take purposefully deceptive shapes. Many lurk in dark places or venture out only at night to hide their true forms from those they manipulate. Shadow demons seek ways to regain their former might and take revenge on those who destroyed them. They often ingratiate themselves with more powerful demons or mortal spellcasters, bargaining with and coercing others into restoring them to power. Many try to claim or corrupt souls to restore their fiendish forms, while some shadow demons seek wicked relics or nexuses of profane magic. It typically takes shadow demons centuries to recover their demonic power, if they ever do. Particularly powerful demons might return as multiple shadow demons after being defeated. These fiendish entities each think they're the true manifestation of their past self and hunt one another to recover their power. In rare cases, Fiends other than demons might adopt forms similar to shadow demons.