Buy me a coffeeFast Zombie: The Relentless Undead Predator
“Fast Zombie: This undead nightmare sprints faster than you can run—and it never gets tired!”
A Fast Zombie is a grotesque mockery of life, its decayed flesh stretched tight over unnaturally agile limbs. Its eyes, if intact, glow with a vacant yet terrifying hunger. Torn rags cling to its emaciated frame, barely covering the patches of exposed bone and sinew. Unlike its shambling counterparts, its posture is unnervingly predatory—its head snapping toward movement with terrifying speed, its fingers curled into claws ready to tear into flesh.
Behaviour
Unlike traditional zombies that amble aimlessly, the Fast Zombie is driven by an insatiable, almost rabid, aggression. It does not moan or groan like slower undead—it snarls, hisses, and lets out guttural screeches upon spotting prey. It never hesitates, never tires, and never stops hunting. These creatures attack with reckless abandon, sprinting full force toward their victims, leaping over obstacles, and swarming enemies with brutal efficiency.
Habitat
They can be found anywhere death and corruption have taken hold. They haunt ruined cities, abandoned villages, and war-torn battlefields, where corpses are plentiful. In dark forests, they lurk among twisted roots, waiting to burst from the undergrowth at terrifying speed. In dungeons and crypts, they lunge from the shadows, overwhelming intruders before they can react. Wherever decay festers, Fast Zombies can emerge—silent until they strike.
Modus Operandi
A Fast Zombie relies on speed and sheer ferocity. Unlike slow zombies that overwhelm with numbers, these creatures close the distance in seconds, making escape nearly impossible. They attack in frenzied bursts, delivering rapid, bone-crushing strikes. If outnumbered, they use their agility to reposition, flanking their prey with inhuman precision. Some even retain rudimentary pack tactics, cornering victims and tearing them apart in a blur of motion.
Motivation
Driven by an endless hunger, the Fast Zombie exists only to hunt, kill, and feed. It does not linger over its kills like some undead—it moves on, always seeking fresh prey. Whether animated by dark necromantic energy, cursed by an ancient plague, or possessed by a malevolent force, its sole purpose is to spread death at breakneck speed.
Fast Zombie 5e
Fast Zombie, Pathfinder
Fast Zombie
Medium Undead, Neutral Evil
Armor Class: 14 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points: 45 (6d8 + 18)
Speed: 40 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (+3) | 16 (+3) | 16 (+3) | 6 (-2) | 10 (+0) | 6 (-2) |
Saving Throws: Dexterity +5, Wisdom +2
Skills: Perception +2
Damage Immunities: Poison, Necrotic
Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned, Stunned
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 12
Languages: Understands Common but can’t speak
Challenge Rating: 1 (200 XP)
Traits
- Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the Fast Zombie to 0 hit points, it must make a Constitution saving throw (DC 15) unless it was dealt radiant damage or a critical hit. On a success, the Fast Zombie drops to 1 hit point instead.
- Relentless Pursuit. The Fast Zombie can Dash as a bonus action, allowing it to close the distance with prey at terrifying speed.
- Keen Senses. The Fast Zombie has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight or hearing.
Actions
- Multiattack. The Fast Zombie makes two Slam attacks.
- Slam.
Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage. - Quick Strike (Recharge 5–6). It can make an additional slam attack during its turn. This bonus attack is made at its highest attack bonus.
Legendary Actions
It can take 2 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time, and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The Fast Zombie regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
- Dash. It moves up to its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
- Berserk Charge (Costs 2 Actions). The Fast Zombie can charge at a creature within 20 feet. If the charge hits, the target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Tactics
- Relentless Hunting: It’s primary tactic is to hunt down isolated or weaker prey. It charges directly at its target, using its Relentless Pursuit to quickly close the distance. Once in range, it begins to use its Multiattack to tear into its victim.
- Quick Strikes: When it has an opportunity, the Fast Zombie will trigger its Quick Strike ability, using its speed to overwhelm opponents before they can react. This ability is especially deadly when it is flanking with allies or cornering its prey.
- Divide and Conquer: If fighting in a group, the Fast Zombie coordinates with others, relying on its Berserk Charge legendary action to knock down opponents, separating them from their allies and causing panic in the group.
- Aggressive Pursuit: If the Fast Zombie is wounded, it does not hesitate. It will continue attacking relentlessly, prioritizing the most vulnerable target in the fight.
Description
A Fast Zombie is a nightmare of death and decay, its once-human form now twisted into a creature of horrifying speed and unrelenting aggression. The flesh of a Fast Zombie is a patchwork of decaying, shredded skin and muscle, barely clinging to its bones. It has an unsettling predatory gait, stalking with unnatural speed and ferocity.
Unlike the slow, lumbering undead of legend, these zombies move with terrifying agility, striking in quick, brutal motions. They are driven by an insatiable hunger that cannot be satisfied, chasing their prey down with relentless vigor, tearing through anyone in their path with deadly precision.
Though mindless, Fast Zombies retain a certain primal instinct and coordination, working together in packs to hunt and overpower their prey.
Encounters & Lore
- Fast Zombies in Combat: Fast Zombies are often the centerpiece of ambushes or surprise attacks. They thrive in dense environments like ruins or forests where they can strike swiftly and retreat into the shadows. In large numbers, they can quickly overwhelm a party, as their speed and strength make them deadly in prolonged combat.
- Origins: It is believed that Fast Zombies are created by dark necromantic rituals or viruses, often involving curses or plagues. Some believe they are created when necromancers desire a more efficient, more lethal form of undead.
Fast Zombie
This walking corpse wears only a few soiled rags, its flesh rotting off its bones as it stumbles forward with unnatural quickness, arms outstretched.
[This content is based on content mentioned but only partially described by Paizo Publishing.]
| Fast Zombie CR 1/2 |
| XP 200 NE Medium undead Init +0; Senses Darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +0 |
| DEFENSE |
| AC 14, touch 10, flat-footed 12 (+2 natural, +2 Dexterity) hp 12 (2d8+3) Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +3 Immune undead traits |
| OFFENSE |
| Spd 40 ft. Melee 2 slams +4 (1d6+4) Special Attacks quick strikes |
| STATISTICS |
| Strength 17, Dexterity 14, Constitution, Intelligence -, Wisdom 10, Charisma 10 Base Atk +1; CMB +4; CMD 16 Feats ToughnessB |
| SPECIAL ABILITIES |
| Quick Strikes (Ex) Whenever a fast zombie takes a full-attack action, it can make one additional slam attack at its highest base attack bonus. |
| ECOLOGY |
| Environment any Organization any Treasure none |