Summon Shadow Monster
2nd-level conjuration
- Casting Time: 1 action
- Range: 90 feet
- Components: V, S
- Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
- Classes: Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
You conjure shadowy material from the Shadowfell and shape it so it appears to be a Small or Medium creature of your choice. If you summon a creature that normally uses weapons and armor, you can choose what weapons and armor it appears to be wielding. Regardless of the type of monster you summon or the weapons or armor it is using, however, it uses the shadow monster statblock listed at the end of the spell's description (including AC and damage), not the statblock of the creature it appears to be. The shadow monster gains none of the normal creatures special abilities or traits and can only inflict bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage.
The shadow monster appears to be a normal creature, but its coloration is dull and its eyes are lifeless, and close inspection will reveal that it isn’t a real creature. Although not particularly stealthy, a shadow monster makes little noise when it moves and can’t speak or vocalize. As a construct, the shadow monster doesn’t need to breathe, drink, eat, or sleep.
The shadow monster is friendly to you and your companions for the duration. Roll initiative for the shadow monster, which has its own turns. It obeys any verbal commands that you issue to it (no action required by you). If you don’t issue any commands to the shadow monster, it defends itself from hostile creatures but otherwise takes no actions. If your concentration is broken, the shadow monster vanishes at the end of its next turn. A shadow creature summoned by this spell disappears when it drops to 0 hit points or when the spell ends.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell with a 3rd-level or higher spell slot, the amount of damage it inflicts with its Shadow Attack increases:
| Slot Level | Damage |
|---|---|
| 3rd | 10 (3d6) |
| 4th | 14 (4d6) |
| 5th | 17 (5d6) |
| 6th | 21 (6d6) |
| Slot Level | Damage |
|---|---|
| 7th | 24 (7d6) |
| 8th | 28 (8d6) |
| 9th | 31 (9d6) |
In addition, when you cast this spell with a 3rd-level or higher spell slot, you can create a Large shadow monster. When you cast this spell with a 6th-level or higher spell slot, you can create a Huge shadow monster. This doesn’t affect its hit points, but a Large shadow monster has a carrying capacity of up to 400 pounds, and a Huge shadow monster has a carrying capacity of up to 1,200 pounds and has a reach of 10 feet.
Finally, you can give the shadow monster extra traits when you cast this spell with a 4th- or 5th-level spell slot (1 trait), a 6th- or 7th-spell slot (2 traits), or with an 8th- or 9th-level spell slot (3 traits). Each trait can only be chosen once. Choose from the following traits:
Shadow Monster
Medium construct, unaligned
- Armor Class 12 plus the creator’s proficiency bonus
- Hit Points equal to the creator’s maximum hit points
- Speed 40 feet or 0 feet, swim 40 feet
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 5 (-3) 8 (-1) 5 (-3)
- Damage Vulnerabilities radiant
- Damage Immunities poison, psychic
- Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned, unconscious
- Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
- Languages can’t speak but understands one of its creator’s languages.
Beast of Burden. The shadow monster has a carrying capacity of 200 pounds.
False Appearance. The shadow monster appears to be a normal creature. It requires an Intelligence (Investigation) check to determine that it’s not a real creature. The DC is equal to the caster’s spell save DC.
Shadow Sight. Magical darkness doesn’t impede the shadow monster’s darkvision.
Actions
Shadow Attack. Melee Weapon Attack: to-hit modifier equal to the caster’s spell attack modifier, Reach 5 feet, one target. Hit: 7 (2d6) bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage, whichever is most appropriate.
• The shadow monster can make two attacks, or three attacks if you cast this spell with an 8th-level spell slot.
• The shadow monster's speed increases to 60 feet if you cast this spell with a 6th-level or higher spell slot, or 100 feet if you cast it with 8th-level or higher spell slot.
• The shadow monster's AC increases to 14 plus your proficiency bonus if you cast this spell with a 6th-level or higher spell slot, or to 16 if you cast this spell with an 8th-level or higher spell slot.
• The shadow monster can use one of its melee attacks as a ranged attack, with a range of 60/120 feet, provided that the monster on which it is based normally has a ranged attack. The damage inflicted remains the same.
• The shadow monster is resistant to one of the following damage types: acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder. If you cast this spell with a 6th-level or higher spell slot, it gains resistance to two of those damage types. If you cast it with an 8th-level or higher spell slot, it gains resistance to three of those damage types.
• If you cast this spell with a 6th-level or higher spell slot, the shadow monster gains a fly speed of 60 feet. If you cast it with an 8th-level or higher spell slot, it gains a fly speed of 100 feet.
• If you cast this spell with a 6th-level or higher spell slot, the shadow monster has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.