Dungeons & Dragons Undead Knight Miniature

This is a highly detailed miniature of an Undead Knight.

This model was created by MZ4250 who makes amazingly accurate models of the Monster Manual creatures and provided by Commercial License.

In Dungeons & Dragons, an Undead Knight typically refers to a once-noble warrior who, through tragic circumstances or dark influence, has returned from death as a malevolent and cursed being. These entities retain their martial prowess and often serve dark masters, such as necromancers, liches, or evil gods, or are cursed to roam the world until their undeath is undone. While not a specific monster with a single stat block, Undead Knights often fall under creature types like Death Knights, Wights, or custom undead NPCs created by Dungeon Masters to serve narrative roles.

One of the most iconic examples of an Undead Knight in D&D is the Death Knight, introduced in earlier editions and featured in Monster Manuals. A Death Knight is typically the risen form of a fallen paladin who broke their sacred oath, often due to a grievous act of betrayal, vengeance, or despair. These beings are powerful undead, infused with necrotic magic and driven by wrath or duty. They wield magic and martial skills and often command legions of lesser undead. A Death Knight’s presence alone can inspire fear, and its abilities may include spellcasting, necrotic auras, and undead summoning, making it a formidable foe in combat.

However, an Undead Knight can also be a custom creature, created by a Dungeon Master to reflect a specific story. A former hero turned undead might serve as a tragic antagonist, driven by unfinished business or manipulated by dark forces. These knights often wear ancient, rusted plate armor and wield spectral or cursed weapons. Their backstories are rich with pathos, and they frequently reflect themes of lost honor, redemption, and eternal punishment.

Undead Knights are compelling adversaries because they combine the nobility and tragedy of fallen warriors with the terrifying aspects of undeath. They are not mindless zombies but often intelligent, tactical, and emotionally complex, making them excellent opponents or even uneasy allies in a campaign steeped in moral ambiguity and dark fantasy.