Lychguard-Type

Saves: Toughness +8, Willpower +6

Senses: Sees normally in total darkness

Dispersion Shield. The lychguard reduces damage from ranged attacks against it and against allies within 5 feet by 3. When a ranged attack misses it by 5 or more, the GM may reflect the shot as a crackling arc: 1d8 energy damage to the attacker.

Ancient Discipline. While guarding its charge — a Lord, Overlord, or designated objective — the lychguard cannot be Pinned or moved against its will.

Reanimation Protocols. When reduced to 0 Vitality, the lychguard collapses instead of being destroyed. At the end of the following round, roll 1d6: on a 5-6 it reassembles with 30 Vitality and resumes exactly the same stance. Destroying its wreckage (an action) prevents this.

Hyperphase Sweep. Melee Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 2d10 + 5 rending damage. The attack ignores Defense bonuses from armor; blades that cut between dimensions do not argue with plate.

Warscythe Execution. A single overhead strike against a Pinned, Prone, or Exposed target. Melee Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target, scoring a critical hit on an 18-20. Hit: 2d10 + 5 rending damage.

Hold the Line. The lychguard braces. Until the start of its next turn, any enemy that tries to move past or through its reach provokes one free Hyperphase Sweep against it.

Sworn Aegis. When the lychguard's charge is targeted by an attack while within the lychguard's reach, the lychguard intercepts: it becomes the target of the attack instead.

Morale: Does not make Morale checks. It dies in place, reassembles if permitted, and resumes exactly the same stance.

Tactics: Lychguard do not chase. Anchor them on the thing that matters and make the party solve a stationary problem that hits back harder than anything they brought. Pair with ranged pressure so standing still and shooting the lychguard is also wrong.

Loot / Evidence / Hooks: A functional dispersion shield is the kind of xenotech that starts Inquisitorial careers — and ends them.

A Lychguard-Type is a noble's bodyguard forged from the dynasty's best remaining minds and worst remaining mercy — a tower of ancient plate with a hyperphase blade and one job. It has done that job for sixty million years.

Use this enemy as the wall between the party and a Lord, Overlord, or tomb objective that must not be rushed.

Very high durability, elite melee, bodyguard interception, dispersion-shield defense, reanimation, no morale.

Sworn Aegis. When its charge (a Lord, Overlord, or designated objective) is attacked within reach, the Lychguard may intercept, becoming the target instead.

Dispersion Shield. Reduces ranged damage against it and adjacent allies; a strong hit may be reflected as a crackling arc at GM discretion.

Ancient Discipline. Cannot be Pinned or moved against its will while guarding its charge.

Hyperphase Sweep. Devastating melee arc that ignores armor-based Defense bonuses; blades that cut between dimensions do not argue with plate.

Warscythe Execution. Single overhead strike against a Pinned, prone, or Exposed target with doubled critical range.

Hold the Line. Braces: until its next turn, enemies cannot pass its position without provoking a free attack.

Morale: None; it dies in place, reassembles if permitted, and resumes exactly the same stance.

Tactics: Lychguard do not chase. Anchor them on the thing that matters and make the party solve a stationary problem that hits back harder than anything they brought. Pair with ranged pressure so standing still and shooting the Lychguard is also wrong.

Full Stat Block Priority: High