One of the things that's really likable about 5e is that you can grab an old module, and very often, just drop in the new versions of old monsters and run it. However, there are just a few notable exceptions. One of those things is the reversal of the specter and the wraith in the undead hierarchy. The specter is the class double level drain bad guy, whereas the wraith is your midlevel undead that makes you full of misery and regret you don't have a cleric. I do not know, but I can guess at the reasons:
- With LOTR being more in the front of people's minds right now, wraiths seem like they should be really powerful
- Specters are and have been in the past a sort of "ghost you can punch," a haunt that doesn't have an elaborate backstory or rejuvenation abilities
- Incorporeal undead are de-emphasized, and energy drain as such has been substantially altered, so there really isn't a place in the ecosystem for a "double level drain" incorporeal high level undead; a higher level specter would just be a wraith with more hit dice that did more damage
But it's really weird to me, after all those editions of D&D, to see the wraith as the badder bad guy, and the specter as cannon fodder. I have a soft spot for specter lieges and their half-strength offspring. And, yes, depending on the context, you likely have to swap wraiths and specters in older modules to get the balance right.
That's pretty much the original pecking order from First Edition Monster Manual.
In the AD&D MM, a spectre has 7 + 3 HD and does double level drain. A wraith does damage and a single level drain and has 5 + 3 HD. Both have half-strength spawn.
The Clerics Affecting Undead Table has the wraith followed by the mummy, and then the spectre, in ascending order of power.
Similarly, in 3.5, a spectre is a CR 7 monster with +2 turn resistance, the wraith is a CR 5 monster with +2 turn resistance. Both create spawn.
AFAIK, 5e is the only edition of D&D where wraiths outrank specters by any measure.
Is there anything in particular that prevents you from just reversing their roles for 5e then? The two are so similar that you could just chalk it up to a name swap.
Hmmm I never noticed that. I like spectres as terrifying encounters in AD&D/0E. I think the solution is to boost them with some horrific and drainy legendary actions.
Is there anything in particular that prevents you from just reversing their roles for 5e then? The two are so similar that you could just chalk it up to a name swap.
Not at all! My only objection is with regard to legacy material.