Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Youngy Sep 18, 2014 16:27:13	I was under the impression that a Lich was less powerful than the Demilich - but in the MM it seems that the Lich is a higher CR than its Demi-version. Is this correct?
#2 Shiroiken Sep 18, 2014 16:44:51	i remember the Demi-lich being more powerful magically, but lacking the overall versatility of a regular lich (since they are usually just a head and maybe a few bones). That might be part of it, but I haven't seen them to compare.
#3 Wuzzard Sep 18, 2014 18:47:43	Given that 'demi' translates to 'half' (at least according to wikipedia), then its really just half-lich, or maybe lesser lich.
#4 Veleria Sep 18, 2014 18:54:33	Demi lich is a lich that has started to deteriorate due to the ravages of time. They may be strong casters but age doesn't always equate to skill. Most liches are mor vigorous and a more active threat.
#5 Kalani Sep 18, 2014 19:26:15	Veleria wrote:
#6 Thalion94518 Sep 18, 2014 19:59:04	Kalani wrote:
#7 Timborama Sep 18, 2014 20:10:11	Demi-liches don't have a body, sure. But they don't NEED a body, because they're just that powerful.   A bit odd on the MM's part, but whatevs. There can be lesser liches, too
#8 Youngy Sep 18, 2014 21:10:24	I was just told the following. "Demilich are usually very "placid". So if you run from them they sink back into their little sleep and jazz - not to mention they tend to use less spells than a lich. An awakened demilich will go to town on a party, though - they'd be the ones whose CR is stupidly high."
#9 DM12345 Sep 18, 2014 22:52:04	Demilich was always traditionally stronger than the normal lich.   If a lich exists long enough, it may reach a point where it feels it cannot learn any more in its present state and seeks other avenues to attain knowledge. The lich's interest turns away from the physical realm, and its soul voluntarily leaves its undead form and phylactery, using astral projection to travel across other planes of existence. The magics preserving the lich's body against the ravages of time weaken, usually causing the body to gradually deteriorate until only a skull or even a single skeletal hand remains; this advanced form of lich is known as a demilich.
#10 Illithidbix Sep 19, 2014 13:47:33	A big slain sacred cow that people may or may not care about is that in the 5E MM Demi-Liches are... weaker than normal Liches, they're basically Liches who forget/choose not to periodically feed souls to their phylactery and so go atropy away and mostly go into a stupor unless someone disturbs them. Personally... I prefer this take as I always thought Demi-Liches were kinda goofy.
#11 Eerongal Sep 19, 2014 18:06:31	In the demi-lich section there's a sidebar about Acererak and his disciples, and it's an optional sort of "template" for the demi lich, that increases its CR to 21 (without lair, equal to the lich) or 23 (with lair, higher than the lich). It gives it an extra ability and implicitly gives it extra HP due to CR, i believe.
#12 Orzel Sep 19, 2014 16:32:19	It really depends on what state you encounter the demiliich in.   A lich who purposely turns himself into a demilich becomes more powerful. A lich who just leaves behind a demilich leaves behind a weaker shade of himeself.     .