On the fourth day of Critmas, my players got from me, four lichen knights,
three molding sprites,
two seedling sprouts,
and a Myconid with spores all around.

Quick Description

These Myconid Warriors are superb. The look dangerous, brutal, and I enjoy that you can’t see its face so we could have a little fun on who/what its looking at. The lichen serves as natural armor, providing a higher AC without the need for metal equipment. The spear in the image could work, though personally I think a glaive would rock too.

No. Even cooler. A spear that grows to be a glaive or shrinks back down to be a glaive.

Reskin Details

• Original Creature: Helmed Horror, CR 4
• Changes: I’d make a few flavor tweaks, especially with the weapon idea, though not too many overall.
  • Change the creature type from Construct to Plant to match it’s myconid origin.
  • Armor Class 20 (plate, shield) becomes: Armor Class 20 (natural armor, shield)
  • Replace the Longsword with a Spear, changing the damage type to piercing.
  • As a Bonus Action, the Lichen Knight can transform its weapon from a Spear to a Glaive or back to a Spear. This ability recharges on a roll of 5-6.

DM Tips

• A unit of these might seem harmless at first, but they’d quickly terrify even the boldest party of heroes, regardless of size.
• They’d make excellent defenders, elite shock units, commanders, or stealthy commandos. Their versatility offers a lot of fun encounter options.
• Perhaps these knights guard the entrance to an ancient fungal city, silently raising their weapons as the party approaches.

Lichen these critters? Stop by tomorrow for the fifth day of Critmas!