The Domains of Dread belong to the Darklords of Ravenloft—prisoners and overlords forced to suffer for all eternity—and yet Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft does not provide these legendary figures meaningful statistics. This product fills that gap with statistics for all sixteen Darklords but at various tiers of play. Face Strahd von Zarovich as a Tier II, III or IV villain! Battle the mummy lord Ankhtepot at 5th-level or 17th! Face the bloodthirsty Chakuna and despair, no matter petty powers you've amassed!
Every Darklord enjoys at least two sets of statistics, allowing the Dungeon Master to craft adventures that best fit their party's level. These statistics are predicated on three core principles:
Legendary Figures. Every Darklord is, at a minimum, deserving of the Legendary Resistance feature—for the Dark Powers will not so easily let go of their playthings. Even the meeker Darklords, such as the fragile Viktra Mordenheim, manage to shrug off blows and survive spells. Starting in Tier II, all Darklords also enjoy Legendary Actions. All Darklords have access to Lair Actions—except poor Hazlik, tormented by the Dark Powers—as befitting a Domain master.
Abstract Hit Points. Hit points are already an abstract means to measure health, stamina, and one’s proximity to death. This supplement embraces this versatility. Even meeker Darklords enjoy a greater number of hit points than their base counterparts. A blow might be compromised or blunted by the Dark Powers; it might even miss entirely, but drain the Darklord’s stamina (if not the Dark Powers’ patience).
Not All Darklords Are Equal. Obeying lore, logic, and realism, many of the Darklords have a ceiling of power. Try as she might, Viktra Mordenheim, a mere scientist, can never compare to the mummy lord Ankhtepot or the vampire Strahd von Zarovich. Although the supplement provides multiple versions of every Darklord, some reach a maximum challenge rating earlier than others. Some, like Strahd, have a higher minimum challenge rating.
- from the publisher's blurb