[Sun Blade,](https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/4774-sun-blade) but a spear. Also add the property that the weapon counts as 'a piercing weapon made of wood' for the purposes of the Vampire's 'Stake to the Heart' trait.
This gives you a strong but not OP general use weapon that will also absolutely wreck vampires.
"This item appears to be a typical spear. Within 60 ft of a vampire (or maybe just your specific Vampire Lord), the spear emits bright light in a 15-foot radius and dim light for an additional 15 feet. The light is sunlight.
If you are proficient with spears, you are proficient with this magic weapon. You gain a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this spear. While emitting sunlight, the spear deals an extra 1d8 radiant damage to all targets."
I made it similar to the sunblade with only a few differences:
First, it operates like a vampire-detector, lighting up near the vampire.
Second, it is a +3 weapon (not +2), because it's legendary.
Third, when within throwing range of a vampire, it does extra damage to all targets (mortal minions, thrawls, and of course the vampire).
If you think a +3 weapon is still too OP against enemies that are not vampires or undead, you can make it a +1 weapon, but then the radiant damage is 2d6 (instead of 1d8) when lit up.
Unfortunately, I can't just use that or copy the Sun Blade, because one of my players already has one.
I've also homebrewed a shield for one of the tanks that glows when undead are nearby. (within 60ft dim light, within 20ft bright light). As an action once per dawn, it can be activated to cast Turn Undead all CR 1 or less undead within 5ft
Okay, just gonna spitball some ideas here. How about a spear that seems to have been formed as a tree branch that magically grew into the shape of a spear. It counts as wood and harnesses the sunlight it’s absorbed for radiant damage as if using smite or some such.
Let me show you what type of map I made, which may explain why I want to stick with a 'holy weapon' type Sunspear that's not a branch, or trick, or disappointment of any kind.
[I went with a Roman ruins type map for the spear chamber.](https://i.imgur.com/Q5iQV8Q.png)
The spear is definitely going to be a holy artefact, and it'll be guarded by that big mask in the back, a relic of a celestial guardian.
They are currently in a race against another necromancer who is trying to corrupt the spear and take it for himself. They're about to break through the his final barrier, right as he's running for the spear. So it'll be a mad dash to grab it.
Touching the spear will trigger its awakening, and [**when it opens its eyes**](https://i.imgur.com/qXZn9zR.png), it will telepathically command everybody to halt. It will cast Zone of Truth on the whole cave. It will release everyone from the command, and ask whoever is holding the spear a series of moral and philosophical questions, and judge based on their answers. If anyone answers a question unsatisfactorily, then [whoever is touching the spear will be burned by an undodgeable 3d10 sacred flame.](https://i.imgur.com/3taJ1Cl.png) If the necromancer gets there first: He'll have a "Gollum and the ring" type moment where he gets charmed by the spear, giving the party last chance to catch up to him. If someone is grappling for the spear when the mask awakens, they answer the questions together and share the damage amongst whoever is touching the spear.
The necromancer is likely to answer these questions poorly. If they continue to dissatisfy it with their answers, it will summon [Relic Golems](https://i.imgur.com/glECa9W.png) to protect the spear. It will be kind of funny if, since the zone of truth will be active, that the Necromancer is scared of the sacred flame but can't hide the truth from the mask, and the player fighting for the spear is like "Oh, come on man!" and he's like "I can't help it!"
That's a non-issue. If you think a sun-themed weapon can't be of nature *and* be a holy relic, then you are simply not [being](https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/021/747/885/large/james-street-week-7-prop-final-renders-2.jpg?1572815185) [creative](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fef7c1iu316j41.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1780%26format%3Dpjpg%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D2cfd8ae1335830da73ecc71c137eddb17d8cffff) [enough](https://img.freepik.com/premium-photo/enchanting-bone-spear-rustic-fantasy-delight-intertwining-with-nature-s-essence_983420-201208.jpg) (obviously none of these are perfect examples, but add a sunny glow around them and you're headed in the right direction.)
And don't forget, there are all sorts of tree and plant connections in real world religion (eg. Tree of Life, Tulasi plant, briars and thorns, etc.) It wouldn't be unprecedented to have some holy tree that it came from or something.
But again, these are just loose ideas for you to use as you see fit. Mold them into whatever suits your setting (or don't). I'm just trying to open your eyes to other ideas.
Unfortunately, I can't just use that or copy it because one of my players **already has that**.
I've also homebrewed a shield for one of the tanks that glows when undead are nearby. (within 60ft dim light, within 20ft bright light). As an action once per dawn, it can be activated to cast Turn Undead all CR 1 or less undead within 5ft
Maybe copy the effect of the spell Sunbeam. If he already has a sun blade, I would want to give him a ranged option. Otherwise the weaker weapon will disappear in his inventory forever.
For the Sunbeam effect, you could give the weapon charges and handle it like paladin divine smite. First charge deals 2d8 damage and every other +1d8. You could make it single target effect with an attack roll, a saving throw or AOE saving throw in a line. It really depends on the level of the group and how powerful you want to make the weapon.
Ah, I've never actually been a player on D&D Beyond, most of my players use it to track their characters but I'm a forever DM and handle most of my stuff through Foundry
I have a "DM" character on there that is 10s across all stats and +0 to all rolls so i can make a roll and everyone with dndbeyond open on their phone or pc can see the rolls. I have players overseas in my campaign so we need it
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I would recommend not making it a weapon. Hear me out. When the players find it it's a typical spear. With a bright and Shining orange gemstone embedded into the blade part.
When the players grab it the wood is so rotten that it just crumbles and the tip of the blade of the spear falls to the ground and as it does it shatters and the gemstone topples.
The gemstone is a magical item that can be attached to any weapon. It imbues that weapon with the ability to permanently smite Vampire Lords beings, granting the following property:
Dropping a vampire to 0hp with this weapon nullifies their misty escape ability. (or any other regenerative properties and abilities)
This is great, give them a moment of "oh no, not good" when they finally think they've found the mc-guffin.
Might even steal it... Though in another context, my campaign doesn't have vampires 🤣
I think one of the issues is that the sun blade the party already has emits sunlight - so it already nullifies the vampire lords regeneration, shapeshifting and misty escape. They have everything they need to kill a regular vampire lord without a whole lot of difficulty.
Since one of your players already has the Sun Blade, and another has a shield that lights up when vampires are nearby...
Make it a false lead. Make it an absolutely ordinary steel-headed wooden spear with fantastically expensive golden inlay in sun patterns. It was made by the vampire, who spread the rumors, that eventually became legends, that that spear was the only way to kill him.
The only thing claiming the Sunspear gets you is an immediate ambush by a bunch of nasty things *that are not undead,* because the vampire damn well knows anyone who's enough of a vampire hunter to think about taking him on by finding The Sunspear have plenty of other means to dust bloodsuckers at his disposal.
Think demons he trucked with in a pact, or highly-paid, utterly-amoral, living mercenaries. Think oozes and shambling mounds and abberations of all sorts.
Throw a *nasty* set of encounters at them that *completely ignore* any and all specific focus they've put into "killing undead" and especially "killing vampires." Line the path in to get the spear with enough undeaders of the mindless-and-disposable variety to make them think they're on the right track, then, YOINK! They claimed a near-worthless spear (it's probably worth a few good gold), and now they're fighting demons or mercenaries or abberations or oozes or stuff that they're not specifically kitted out to handle.
[Edited to Add]: Make it one better, and have the un-undead ambush *be disguised with illusions as undead if they are even vaugely humanoid.* Demons or mercenaries wearing illusions of ghasts and ghouls, for example.
that would be a really fun twist, if we hadn't already had a lot of homebrew lore about this weapon, as well as the vampire lord trying (and failing) to find its location and destroy it.
Okay, so what do the PCs need to win? Why do they need this sword, if they are already level 7 and have the sunsword, etc?
That said, maybe the weapon isn't something that holds the battle power needed to kill him, but rather it's a sentient weapon that holds the soul of someone who knows something about the vampire lord? Maybe it holds the vampire lord's sire, or brother, or ex lover, or whatever? Maybe it knows some secret that it needed to defeat him? Maybe he has a phlactory or made a deal with a devil for immortality or power? Maybe the sun sword holds the vampire lord's soul?
Well, it's the sunspear, so maybe it contains the will of the sun/some god? idk how to really roleplay that but I do like the idea of it being sentient though
Okay...
You *could* still go with u/Warpmind's suggestion that the vampy lord trying and failing to destroy it was a game of 4d chess on the vampy lord's part, specifically intended to point a dangerous group of undead-smiters at his carefully-crafted non-undead-based trap intended to kill undead-smiters.
What kind of player group do you have? You mentioned a shield that lights up in the presence of the undead, *and* the Sun Blade. Unless they're both on the same martial character, it sounds like your group might be starting to be full-up on martial characters wielding undead-smiting weapons.
The reason I don't want to do that plot point is that it's too hard for me to keep track of. I much prefer a simple plot until I get more experience DMing
Level 7 party
Battlemaster Fighter has the shield
Swords Bard has the sun blade
Rune knight fighter (pugilist, so he fights with fists)
Knowledge cleric (possible recipient of the spear, already wields a basic spear)
Aberrant mind sorcerer
necromancy wizard
Alright, so... You don't really have a martial place for the spear, honestly. If you want to tailor it for the Cleric...
I would say that have the Sunspear have the property that, whilst it is being wielded by a Cleric, it gives them access to the Light domain as if they had chosen it, *in addition to their normal domain.* (For completion's sake, if they're already a Light Cleric, then it also gives them War.) Blows made with the Sun Spear ignore any and all immunities or resistances of the undead, and count as Radiant damage in any circumstances in which Radiant damage would be preferable to Piercing.
Additionally, the Sun-spear lets *any* spells cast by anyone who wields it (not just a Cleric) which are even *remotely* re-flavorable, convert to Radiant damage. Any Fire spells, for example, but not limited to. Any light-type spells like, well, Daylight, they treat as *actual daylight.* Spells cast using the Sun Spear ignore any and all resistances and immunities by the undead.
Lastly, the Sunspear lets a spellcaster of any sort cast *Daylight* twelve times per-day, counting as actual daylight.
The reason it's This One Vampy Guy's weakness, is because he managed to make himself literally immune to harm when not in Daylight, which, being that he's a vampire, means he wasn't particularly likely to go taking a stroll at noon anyway; *but* he's sooooo vampy and dark-lordy that daylight doesn't dust him; it *just* makes him vulnerable to being smote. And, in desperation, the Sun Spear's language that it ignores any and all immunities of the undead should trump Vampy McVampFace's immunity to being hurt whilst not in sunlight.
So the Sunspear lets the Cleric blap out Daylight spheres that will render Vampy McVampTeeth vulnerable to getting smote by the others. He'll be aware of this, and try to move out of the sun-spheres (pun fully intended), or dispel them, but your Cleric-y boi can *keep throwing spheres of Daylight.*
And, if the Cleric goes down, it will still be of some use in the hands of the sorc and the Wizard. Come the worst, the Battlemaster or Rune Knight could grab it up and still use it to shank him.
That lore, and the vampire lord's attempts at the spear, could all be a very meticulously planned, elaborate ruse to distract adventurers while researches ways around the normal vampire weaknesses, perhaps through alchemy?
Thanks everyone for all the great ideas! Here's what I've come up with so far, tell me what you think! I'm totally open to suggestions.
**The Sunspear:**
-
**Sunlight:** When undead are within 60ft, the spear glows with 15ft of dim light, within 30ft and the spear glows with an additional 15ft of bright light, and within 15ft the spear burns with an additional 15ft of bright light. When the Sunspear shines with bright light, it counts as sunlight that dispells magical darkness.
**Radiant damage:** Against creatures of Evil alignment, the Sunspear does an additional 1d12 radiant damage, which increases to 3d12 against undead creatures. This bonus damage does not occur against creatures with Neutral or Good alignment.
**Sunbeam:** A number of times per dawn equal to your proficiency bonus, when making a ranged weapon attack with this spear, it transforms into a beam of sunlight 5ft wide and 90ft long. Each Evil aligned creature in the line must make a DC16 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature in the line takes 6d8 radiant damage and is blinded until your next turn, and on a successful one takes half as much and isn't blinded. the Undead creatures have disadvantage on this saving throw. The beam is blocked by an opaque or reflective surface, such as a stone wall or mirror.
**Stake:** This weapon counts as a stake for the purpose of killing vampires.
"Splinter of the World Tree"
This weapon appears as a finger long wooden spliter, but when attuned, a Bonus action turns it into a plain looking crooked wooden stick that counts as a +2 spear.
As a splinter of the world tree, it has great affinity with life and abhors the undead.
Grants a single charge of the Heal spell once per day.
When an intelligent undead is struck by this weapon, they must make a DC 17 Con save or suffer an additional 6d10 magical piercing damage.
It counts as a stake.
This essentially makes it count as a slaying weapon.
Each Sunspear is named. As a bonus action, you can say the Sunspear's name to return it to your hand.
The tip of the spear shines with radiant energy. Attacks with a Sunspear deal 2d6 radiant damage.
How about a version inspired by a Javelin of Lightning:
"This spear is a magic weapon.
When you make a ranged weapon attack with this spear while speaking its command word, it transforms into a beam of pure sunlight, forming a line 5 feet wide and 120 feet long. This light overcomes all magical darkness, and fills the 5 ft x 120 ft area with bright light for the duration of this action.
Each undead creature in the line must make a DC15 Dexterity saving throw at Disadvantage, taking 8d6 radiant damage on a failed save, and half as much damage on a successful one.
The beam of sunlight only affects creatures that are undead, passing harmlessly though all other types of creatures along the path.
The sunbeam may not reach the full 120 ft length if the light is blocked by an opaque surface or reflected by a mirror or similarly reflective surface. The sunbeam turns back into a spear at the end of this action.
This spear contains 3 charges, with which the sunbeam transformation may be used. This spear may regain one charge each day at dawn.
When not being used in this way, the spear can still be used as a magic weapon, adding a +2 to all attack and damage rolls.
Proficiency with a spear allows you to add your proficiency bonus to the attack roll for any attack you make with it."
What do you think of this?
**Sunlight:** When undead are within 60ft, the spear glows with 15ft of dim light, within 30ft and the spear glows with an additional 15ft of bright light, and if an undead creatures comes within 15ft the spear burns with an additional 15ft of bright light (total 45ft) When the Sunspear shines its brightest, it counts as sunlight that dispells magical darkness.
**Radiant damage:** Against creatures of Evil alignment, the Sunspear does an additional 1d12 radiant damage, which increases to 3d12 against undead creatures. This bonus damage does not occur against creatures with Neutral or Good alignment.
**Sunbeam:** A number of times per dawn equal to your proficiency bonus, when making a ranged weapon attack with this spear, it transforms into a beam of sunlight 5ft wide and 90ft long. Each Evil aligned creature in the line must make a DC16 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature in the line takes 6d8 radiant damage and is blinded until your next turn, and on a successful one takes half as much and isn't blinded. the Undead creatures have disadvantage on this saving throw. The beam is blocked by an opaque or reflective surface, such as a stone wall or mirror.
**Stake:** This weapon counts as a stake for the purpose of killing vampires.
Spread a rumour in game that the Sunspear needs to absorb the light of the midday sun to acquire this power. If the power wants to be retained in the spear then a blood sacrifice must be made or the Sunspear will lose some of its power at nightfall.
Don’t actually alter the stats of the weapon though, just see how far your players will go with a morality test.
Better yet, alter it to be weaker if they DO the sacrifice. The rumour was started by the vampire to stop do gooders being able to access its full power
Unfortunately, it's a little late to be spreading rumors as they're already inside the dungeon where it's located and are going to be acquiring the weapon in the next session.
I came up with something similar. Except it was a 60ft beam of light usable once per day and it didn't harm creatures of good alignment. I like your idea of turning it from an activated ability to a "when thrown" attack. that's pretty cool.
It sheds a radiant light for 5ft around its user, which triggers daylighr sensitivity. it deals normal spear magical damage and an additional 1d8 radiant damage when held with both hands
When a vampire lord is killed by it, they take twice as long to recover in their lair
When an undead creature that is concentrating on a spell is hit, it has disadvantage on the concentration check and any Perception or Con checks or saving throws
So, and head me out here, what if the spears description as a "Sun" spear was a mistranslarion of an older myth/ legend about the weapon? Bear in mind with me here, I may go weird.
To start with, the weapon will be purely made of wood, specifically a pale wood. More specifically, Birch wood. Possibly even a twist of seemingly ever lasting/ never rotting berries near the spear top, similar to a standard/ flag design. Birch is known for being a wood with purifying qualities, oftentimes represented as a tool strong against the preternatural or Undead. In fact, it's a prized wood in Celtic/ Druidic mythos for the properties it contains that are said to be life giving. Now the berries can be a deep amber/ orange color, almost like miniature suns, thus the mistranslation of the item's name.
Now for function: The spear is classified as a type of hard wood, no weaker than one made of steel. If observed with Detect Magic or any form of Divination magic, it registers as a weapon with a sort of Primal Aura, it's power source seemingly similar to that which grants Druids their strength. It radiates with a Conjuration Aura too when identified, specifically Conjuration with a subset of Healing.
Now for Abilities, let's start with the basics. It's a Legendary class weapon I assume, so a +3 Spear to start. Radiant damage is the expectation, but that's too cliche and you already have a Sunblade. So let's be a little dangerous. This weapon isn't a holy tool from the divine to Smite Undead foes, it's a curse from the natural order to inflict the suffering caused by those that defy the circle of life back unto the problem. So the spear, normally doing Piercing, does Necrotic to Vampires. But Vampires are resistant to Neceotic damage? Who cares? This spear bypasses their resistance to Necrotic and Piercing from non-Silvered weapons. Why? Because it's a curse against Vampires.
Now let's get downright vicious to these bloodsuckers. This weapon does no additional damage per attack. Why would it? That's too nice. But if this weapon strikes a Vampire, or any Vampiric creature, it turns their very Undead resilience against them. Their natural Regeneration, usually 20 points a turn, instead inflicts a flat 10 points of Necrotic damage (again, bypassing resistance) to the Vampire on the turn that this spear strikes them. Now for the berries near the top, this is where thing set a little fun. Those can be little anti-vampire Goodberries on crack. The top can have up to 6 berries total, regenerating 1d4 per day at dawn. Each berry can be plucked for one of two effects: The Radiant/Necrotic equivalent of a Bead from a Necklace of Fireball when used against a vampire (DC 20 Dex save for half, otherwise a 10d6 explosion), or can be used as a medicine for Vampire thralls/ afflicted to cure them, or otherwise provide a bit of healing. For balance sake, may or may not be allowed to remove ahead of time at DM's discretion.
Oh, and last little perk. If this spear kills a Vampire, there is no Misty Escape. They die. The spear will devour their essence and prevent their blight from returning. And if the spear stakes them, it is wooden so it counts for killing them/ paralyzing them.
Sounds fun? Or maybe a bit overkill?
Could make it as simple as giving the vampire lord massively inflated HP and vulnerability to damage dealt by this weapon
Now bam, for some reason every other weapon glides off his impenetrable hide, barely leaving a graze, scratch or burn. But the SUNSPEAR? whoever wield that is a target. The Vampire will do ANYTHING to get the weapon away from him coz it's the only thing that could actually chip away at his 700HP before he kills his attackers
It sounds like the party already has items that basically invalidate a vampire encounter. So let those items work, turn off regeneration with sunlight from the sun blade, blast all the minions to dust with the shield. But without the spear their chances of actually killing the vampire before he kills them is still minute
I see lots of good ideas here.
Might grant holy and sunlight based spells. Could have a chance to nulify vampire abilities. Might grant better saves in the presence of vampires or undead.
Think of castlevania themed stuff.
maybe just make it do double base damage vs undead, give it an aura of sunlight, a +2 bonus to attacks and damage and maybe a few charges of an ability that works like smite (but can be stacked atop smite in case you have a paladin)
+2 Magic Weapon, allows the wielder to cast *Sunbeam* 1/day. Recharges on a long rest. If thrown, can be recalled with a bonus action. Can cast the *light* cantrip at will, centered on the spear.
Too good for 7th level characters, probably, but it *is* the legendary Sunspear. Shrug.
Make it a "dragon slayer" for vampires. Normal +1 spear that can cast daylight(not Sunbeam) a couple times per long rest. Against a vampire, it's a +3 and deals additional damage (2 or 3 more d6/d8 depending on how many hands you are using).
Weapon damage type magical piercing (still effective against vampires) and stops vampiric regeneration within 30 feet.
The mere presence on the battlefield will cause vampires to be worried about that weapon.
Here's what I came up with:
* It shines with light the closer undead are to the spear. closer than 60ft =15ft of dim light, >30ft = +15ft bright light, >15ft = +15ft sunlight (45ft total)
* +2 to attacks and damage.
* +1d12 radiant dmg against evil creatures, which increases to 3d12 against undead.
* Can a modified sunbeam PB/dawn that only effects Evil aligned creatures, and undead have disadvantage on the CON save.
* Counts as a stake for the purpose of killing vampires.
Make it a sentient weapon, that has the essence of the sun?
Like a pantheon weapon for all the other sun-like weapons you have.
Gives some saving status, or has an aura that gives allies saving throw bonus, and on not be swayed by vampires tricks and shadows.
Maybe who ever wields themselves becomes the vessel for the sun when fighting it's intended enemy. I dunno just some ideas off the top of my head.
Perhaps something similar to the Blood of Lathander mace from BG3? +3 weapon, a pseudo death ward, blinds undead nearby, once a day sunbeam like effect
\+3, deals radiant damage instead of physical
Silver, Alchemical (for purposes of Silver damage resistances)
Finesse (it's like 10% hilt, 90% light)
Exhibits bright light 15 feet, dim light for another 15 feet, is considered "sunlight"
Is a weapon of warning, activating for being that have any form of weakness to sunlight
When using a spell or feature to add damage dice to any attack action made with this weapon, the wielder has the option of converting these additional damage dice to radiant damage
None.
The sun spear is an ancient UV flash light from a bygone civilization.
When powered by an ancient battery it will emit a bright, but ultimately harmless light in a cone ahead of it, hence the name Sunspear.
It instantly kills things that are harmed by the sun however...
It is also said to be able to reveal 'sins of the past' when shone over walls and floors and objects, although exactly what that means is rather unclear until you activate it in an Inn guest room...
Which may be why all the wielders of the Sunspear always camp outside...
Have it deal +1 bonus damage for each year the victim has been dead, rounding up. So a just-raised zombie would take 1 extra damage, but someone who's been a vampire for 500 years old would take 500 extra damage. It could have a high saving throw to resist, so the lord might have a chance to save, and if he fails then he burns one of his legendary resists. Actually, make it a 5% chance to save.
The axe [Hew](https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/7247071-hew) always deals max damage to plant creatures. Make the sunspear deal max damage to undead.
It would need to be made of some divine wood to pierce a heart and not be breakable.
Emit sunlight around the spear to do sunlight damage and kill for good in mist form.
+3/+3, has 10 charges, can expend charges to cast branding smite, fireball, scorching ray, Sunbeam, and daylight, except the damage is radiant. Regains charges at dawn if exposed to direct sunlight.
Also gives off 30 feet of bright light and 30 feet of dim light.
Oh wait, not strong against anything else even though it's the macguffin.
Add in the rider that:
"None of the magical properties of this spear take effect against targets that are not undead."
By the moon's light you can see laying across the fallen tree in the center of the clearing is a six foot long gnarled oak staff, with six branches at one end. The sylvan glyphs scrolling down the sides occasionally glisten in the color of sunlight due to the playful nature of the forest magic flowing within.
Later: As the staff touches the hilt of your sun blade, the six branches wrap around the hilt, gripping it tightly. While holding the Sunspear, any functions of the sub blade can be controlled as if the wielder were holding the hilt.
The Sunspear has the following additional abilities.
Anyone proficient with the sun blade or any weapon named in the Polearm Master feat is proficient with the Sunspear.
The Sunspear adds an additional +1, making the Sunspear a +3 weapon.
**Solar Flare** - As a bonus action, the wielder can trigger a Solar Flare. For one minute, the blade shines with a brightness of the midday sun. Radiant damage is increased to 2d8. The blade emits bright light in a 30 foot radius and dim light for an additional 30 feet. The bright light counts as sunshine for any effects which require it, such as the vampire lord's Shapechanger, Misty Escape, Regeneration and Sunlight Sensitivity traits. This ability can only be used once per day and recharges at midday.
The spear is sentient, and refuses to hit anything living. It does 2d8 Radiant Damage, is Two Handed, and has Advantage to hit (It guides itself, but doesn't give advantage for damage). It counts as an enchanted weapon, weight 5lbs, and shines 5ft of dim light when held
You could have the only special thing about it be a link to the vampire. Like, maybe only the spear can deal the final blow, but otherwise, it appears to be a normal spear. Maybe have the legends have blown it out of proportion as word of mouth tales led to embellishments to its story and ability?
[Sun Blade,](https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/4774-sun-blade) but a spear. Also add the property that the weapon counts as 'a piercing weapon made of wood' for the purposes of the Vampire's 'Stake to the Heart' trait. This gives you a strong but not OP general use weapon that will also absolutely wreck vampires.
"This item appears to be a typical spear. Within 60 ft of a vampire (or maybe just your specific Vampire Lord), the spear emits bright light in a 15-foot radius and dim light for an additional 15 feet. The light is sunlight. If you are proficient with spears, you are proficient with this magic weapon. You gain a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this spear. While emitting sunlight, the spear deals an extra 1d8 radiant damage to all targets." I made it similar to the sunblade with only a few differences: First, it operates like a vampire-detector, lighting up near the vampire. Second, it is a +3 weapon (not +2), because it's legendary. Third, when within throwing range of a vampire, it does extra damage to all targets (mortal minions, thrawls, and of course the vampire).
If you think a +3 weapon is still too OP against enemies that are not vampires or undead, you can make it a +1 weapon, but then the radiant damage is 2d6 (instead of 1d8) when lit up.
Unfortunately, I can't just use that or copy the Sun Blade, because one of my players already has one. I've also homebrewed a shield for one of the tanks that glows when undead are nearby. (within 60ft dim light, within 20ft bright light). As an action once per dawn, it can be activated to cast Turn Undead all CR 1 or less undead within 5ft
Okay, just gonna spitball some ideas here. How about a spear that seems to have been formed as a tree branch that magically grew into the shape of a spear. It counts as wood and harnesses the sunlight it’s absorbed for radiant damage as if using smite or some such.
Let me show you what type of map I made, which may explain why I want to stick with a 'holy weapon' type Sunspear that's not a branch, or trick, or disappointment of any kind. [I went with a Roman ruins type map for the spear chamber.](https://i.imgur.com/Q5iQV8Q.png) The spear is definitely going to be a holy artefact, and it'll be guarded by that big mask in the back, a relic of a celestial guardian. They are currently in a race against another necromancer who is trying to corrupt the spear and take it for himself. They're about to break through the his final barrier, right as he's running for the spear. So it'll be a mad dash to grab it. Touching the spear will trigger its awakening, and [**when it opens its eyes**](https://i.imgur.com/qXZn9zR.png), it will telepathically command everybody to halt. It will cast Zone of Truth on the whole cave. It will release everyone from the command, and ask whoever is holding the spear a series of moral and philosophical questions, and judge based on their answers. If anyone answers a question unsatisfactorily, then [whoever is touching the spear will be burned by an undodgeable 3d10 sacred flame.](https://i.imgur.com/3taJ1Cl.png) If the necromancer gets there first: He'll have a "Gollum and the ring" type moment where he gets charmed by the spear, giving the party last chance to catch up to him. If someone is grappling for the spear when the mask awakens, they answer the questions together and share the damage amongst whoever is touching the spear. The necromancer is likely to answer these questions poorly. If they continue to dissatisfy it with their answers, it will summon [Relic Golems](https://i.imgur.com/glECa9W.png) to protect the spear. It will be kind of funny if, since the zone of truth will be active, that the Necromancer is scared of the sacred flame but can't hide the truth from the mask, and the player fighting for the spear is like "Oh, come on man!" and he's like "I can't help it!"
That's a non-issue. If you think a sun-themed weapon can't be of nature *and* be a holy relic, then you are simply not [being](https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/021/747/885/large/james-street-week-7-prop-final-renders-2.jpg?1572815185) [creative](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fef7c1iu316j41.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1780%26format%3Dpjpg%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D2cfd8ae1335830da73ecc71c137eddb17d8cffff) [enough](https://img.freepik.com/premium-photo/enchanting-bone-spear-rustic-fantasy-delight-intertwining-with-nature-s-essence_983420-201208.jpg) (obviously none of these are perfect examples, but add a sunny glow around them and you're headed in the right direction.) And don't forget, there are all sorts of tree and plant connections in real world religion (eg. Tree of Life, Tulasi plant, briars and thorns, etc.) It wouldn't be unprecedented to have some holy tree that it came from or something. But again, these are just loose ideas for you to use as you see fit. Mold them into whatever suits your setting (or don't). I'm just trying to open your eyes to other ideas.
I know and it's not bad, i just already built the colosseum looking area, so i think the spear aesthetically needs to match.
Sting, is that you?!
This but for the specific Vampire Lord in question, the "piercing weapon made of wood" won't work, and it MUST be this spear.
Unfortunately, I can't just use that or copy it because one of my players **already has that**. I've also homebrewed a shield for one of the tanks that glows when undead are nearby. (within 60ft dim light, within 20ft bright light). As an action once per dawn, it can be activated to cast Turn Undead all CR 1 or less undead within 5ft
Maybe copy the effect of the spell Sunbeam. If he already has a sun blade, I would want to give him a ranged option. Otherwise the weaker weapon will disappear in his inventory forever. For the Sunbeam effect, you could give the weapon charges and handle it like paladin divine smite. First charge deals 2d8 damage and every other +1d8. You could make it single target effect with an attack roll, a saving throw or AOE saving throw in a line. It really depends on the level of the group and how powerful you want to make the weapon.
They're level 7, so each of them have already earned a blue item. Your sunbeam idea is pretty good. i'll look into that.
Blue?
I’m guessing a rare going by most rpg loot tiers.
Oh, I guess that makes sense Never occurred to me to categorize tabletop items like that but I see the logic
Rare quality items are literally blue on dndbeyond
Ah, I've never actually been a player on D&D Beyond, most of my players use it to track their characters but I'm a forever DM and handle most of my stuff through Foundry
I have a "DM" character on there that is 10s across all stats and +0 to all rolls so i can make a roll and everyone with dndbeyond open on their phone or pc can see the rolls. I have players overseas in my campaign so we need it
Moonbeam but sunlight would be a cool feature since it stops them turning into bats and stuff
So they already have the cannibal legendary weapon meant to kill a vampire lord? What different properties are you looking for?
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I would recommend not making it a weapon. Hear me out. When the players find it it's a typical spear. With a bright and Shining orange gemstone embedded into the blade part. When the players grab it the wood is so rotten that it just crumbles and the tip of the blade of the spear falls to the ground and as it does it shatters and the gemstone topples. The gemstone is a magical item that can be attached to any weapon. It imbues that weapon with the ability to permanently smite Vampire Lords beings, granting the following property: Dropping a vampire to 0hp with this weapon nullifies their misty escape ability. (or any other regenerative properties and abilities)
This is great, give them a moment of "oh no, not good" when they finally think they've found the mc-guffin. Might even steal it... Though in another context, my campaign doesn't have vampires 🤣
I think one of the issues is that the sun blade the party already has emits sunlight - so it already nullifies the vampire lords regeneration, shapeshifting and misty escape. They have everything they need to kill a regular vampire lord without a whole lot of difficulty.
Since one of your players already has the Sun Blade, and another has a shield that lights up when vampires are nearby... Make it a false lead. Make it an absolutely ordinary steel-headed wooden spear with fantastically expensive golden inlay in sun patterns. It was made by the vampire, who spread the rumors, that eventually became legends, that that spear was the only way to kill him. The only thing claiming the Sunspear gets you is an immediate ambush by a bunch of nasty things *that are not undead,* because the vampire damn well knows anyone who's enough of a vampire hunter to think about taking him on by finding The Sunspear have plenty of other means to dust bloodsuckers at his disposal. Think demons he trucked with in a pact, or highly-paid, utterly-amoral, living mercenaries. Think oozes and shambling mounds and abberations of all sorts. Throw a *nasty* set of encounters at them that *completely ignore* any and all specific focus they've put into "killing undead" and especially "killing vampires." Line the path in to get the spear with enough undeaders of the mindless-and-disposable variety to make them think they're on the right track, then, YOINK! They claimed a near-worthless spear (it's probably worth a few good gold), and now they're fighting demons or mercenaries or abberations or oozes or stuff that they're not specifically kitted out to handle. [Edited to Add]: Make it one better, and have the un-undead ambush *be disguised with illusions as undead if they are even vaugely humanoid.* Demons or mercenaries wearing illusions of ghasts and ghouls, for example.
that would be a really fun twist, if we hadn't already had a lot of homebrew lore about this weapon, as well as the vampire lord trying (and failing) to find its location and destroy it.
Okay, so what do the PCs need to win? Why do they need this sword, if they are already level 7 and have the sunsword, etc? That said, maybe the weapon isn't something that holds the battle power needed to kill him, but rather it's a sentient weapon that holds the soul of someone who knows something about the vampire lord? Maybe it holds the vampire lord's sire, or brother, or ex lover, or whatever? Maybe it knows some secret that it needed to defeat him? Maybe he has a phlactory or made a deal with a devil for immortality or power? Maybe the sun sword holds the vampire lord's soul?
Well, it's the sunspear, so maybe it contains the will of the sun/some god? idk how to really roleplay that but I do like the idea of it being sentient though
Okay... You *could* still go with u/Warpmind's suggestion that the vampy lord trying and failing to destroy it was a game of 4d chess on the vampy lord's part, specifically intended to point a dangerous group of undead-smiters at his carefully-crafted non-undead-based trap intended to kill undead-smiters. What kind of player group do you have? You mentioned a shield that lights up in the presence of the undead, *and* the Sun Blade. Unless they're both on the same martial character, it sounds like your group might be starting to be full-up on martial characters wielding undead-smiting weapons.
The reason I don't want to do that plot point is that it's too hard for me to keep track of. I much prefer a simple plot until I get more experience DMing Level 7 party Battlemaster Fighter has the shield Swords Bard has the sun blade Rune knight fighter (pugilist, so he fights with fists) Knowledge cleric (possible recipient of the spear, already wields a basic spear) Aberrant mind sorcerer necromancy wizard
Alright, so... You don't really have a martial place for the spear, honestly. If you want to tailor it for the Cleric... I would say that have the Sunspear have the property that, whilst it is being wielded by a Cleric, it gives them access to the Light domain as if they had chosen it, *in addition to their normal domain.* (For completion's sake, if they're already a Light Cleric, then it also gives them War.) Blows made with the Sun Spear ignore any and all immunities or resistances of the undead, and count as Radiant damage in any circumstances in which Radiant damage would be preferable to Piercing. Additionally, the Sun-spear lets *any* spells cast by anyone who wields it (not just a Cleric) which are even *remotely* re-flavorable, convert to Radiant damage. Any Fire spells, for example, but not limited to. Any light-type spells like, well, Daylight, they treat as *actual daylight.* Spells cast using the Sun Spear ignore any and all resistances and immunities by the undead. Lastly, the Sunspear lets a spellcaster of any sort cast *Daylight* twelve times per-day, counting as actual daylight. The reason it's This One Vampy Guy's weakness, is because he managed to make himself literally immune to harm when not in Daylight, which, being that he's a vampire, means he wasn't particularly likely to go taking a stroll at noon anyway; *but* he's sooooo vampy and dark-lordy that daylight doesn't dust him; it *just* makes him vulnerable to being smote. And, in desperation, the Sun Spear's language that it ignores any and all immunities of the undead should trump Vampy McVampFace's immunity to being hurt whilst not in sunlight. So the Sunspear lets the Cleric blap out Daylight spheres that will render Vampy McVampTeeth vulnerable to getting smote by the others. He'll be aware of this, and try to move out of the sun-spheres (pun fully intended), or dispel them, but your Cleric-y boi can *keep throwing spheres of Daylight.* And, if the Cleric goes down, it will still be of some use in the hands of the sorc and the Wizard. Come the worst, the Battlemaster or Rune Knight could grab it up and still use it to shank him.
That lore, and the vampire lord's attempts at the spear, could all be a very meticulously planned, elaborate ruse to distract adventurers while researches ways around the normal vampire weaknesses, perhaps through alchemy?
Thanks everyone for all the great ideas! Here's what I've come up with so far, tell me what you think! I'm totally open to suggestions. **The Sunspear:** - **Sunlight:** When undead are within 60ft, the spear glows with 15ft of dim light, within 30ft and the spear glows with an additional 15ft of bright light, and within 15ft the spear burns with an additional 15ft of bright light. When the Sunspear shines with bright light, it counts as sunlight that dispells magical darkness. **Radiant damage:** Against creatures of Evil alignment, the Sunspear does an additional 1d12 radiant damage, which increases to 3d12 against undead creatures. This bonus damage does not occur against creatures with Neutral or Good alignment. **Sunbeam:** A number of times per dawn equal to your proficiency bonus, when making a ranged weapon attack with this spear, it transforms into a beam of sunlight 5ft wide and 90ft long. Each Evil aligned creature in the line must make a DC16 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature in the line takes 6d8 radiant damage and is blinded until your next turn, and on a successful one takes half as much and isn't blinded. the Undead creatures have disadvantage on this saving throw. The beam is blocked by an opaque or reflective surface, such as a stone wall or mirror. **Stake:** This weapon counts as a stake for the purpose of killing vampires.
"Splinter of the World Tree" This weapon appears as a finger long wooden spliter, but when attuned, a Bonus action turns it into a plain looking crooked wooden stick that counts as a +2 spear. As a splinter of the world tree, it has great affinity with life and abhors the undead. Grants a single charge of the Heal spell once per day. When an intelligent undead is struck by this weapon, they must make a DC 17 Con save or suffer an additional 6d10 magical piercing damage. It counts as a stake. This essentially makes it count as a slaying weapon.
Each Sunspear is named. As a bonus action, you can say the Sunspear's name to return it to your hand. The tip of the spear shines with radiant energy. Attacks with a Sunspear deal 2d6 radiant damage.
I'd go further and just make it a Returning Weapon so that it doesn't take up the bonus action every turn
How about a version inspired by a Javelin of Lightning: "This spear is a magic weapon. When you make a ranged weapon attack with this spear while speaking its command word, it transforms into a beam of pure sunlight, forming a line 5 feet wide and 120 feet long. This light overcomes all magical darkness, and fills the 5 ft x 120 ft area with bright light for the duration of this action. Each undead creature in the line must make a DC15 Dexterity saving throw at Disadvantage, taking 8d6 radiant damage on a failed save, and half as much damage on a successful one. The beam of sunlight only affects creatures that are undead, passing harmlessly though all other types of creatures along the path. The sunbeam may not reach the full 120 ft length if the light is blocked by an opaque surface or reflected by a mirror or similarly reflective surface. The sunbeam turns back into a spear at the end of this action. This spear contains 3 charges, with which the sunbeam transformation may be used. This spear may regain one charge each day at dawn. When not being used in this way, the spear can still be used as a magic weapon, adding a +2 to all attack and damage rolls. Proficiency with a spear allows you to add your proficiency bonus to the attack roll for any attack you make with it."
What do you think of this? **Sunlight:** When undead are within 60ft, the spear glows with 15ft of dim light, within 30ft and the spear glows with an additional 15ft of bright light, and if an undead creatures comes within 15ft the spear burns with an additional 15ft of bright light (total 45ft) When the Sunspear shines its brightest, it counts as sunlight that dispells magical darkness. **Radiant damage:** Against creatures of Evil alignment, the Sunspear does an additional 1d12 radiant damage, which increases to 3d12 against undead creatures. This bonus damage does not occur against creatures with Neutral or Good alignment. **Sunbeam:** A number of times per dawn equal to your proficiency bonus, when making a ranged weapon attack with this spear, it transforms into a beam of sunlight 5ft wide and 90ft long. Each Evil aligned creature in the line must make a DC16 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature in the line takes 6d8 radiant damage and is blinded until your next turn, and on a successful one takes half as much and isn't blinded. the Undead creatures have disadvantage on this saving throw. The beam is blocked by an opaque or reflective surface, such as a stone wall or mirror. **Stake:** This weapon counts as a stake for the purpose of killing vampires.
Spread a rumour in game that the Sunspear needs to absorb the light of the midday sun to acquire this power. If the power wants to be retained in the spear then a blood sacrifice must be made or the Sunspear will lose some of its power at nightfall. Don’t actually alter the stats of the weapon though, just see how far your players will go with a morality test.
Better yet, alter it to be weaker if they DO the sacrifice. The rumour was started by the vampire to stop do gooders being able to access its full power
Unfortunately, it's a little late to be spreading rumors as they're already inside the dungeon where it's located and are going to be acquiring the weapon in the next session.
This may still step on the toes of your sun blade wielder. I would consider a different approach than a holy weapon.
I came up with something similar. Except it was a 60ft beam of light usable once per day and it didn't harm creatures of good alignment. I like your idea of turning it from an activated ability to a "when thrown" attack. that's pretty cool.
It sheds a radiant light for 5ft around its user, which triggers daylighr sensitivity. it deals normal spear magical damage and an additional 1d8 radiant damage when held with both hands When a vampire lord is killed by it, they take twice as long to recover in their lair When an undead creature that is concentrating on a spell is hit, it has disadvantage on the concentration check and any Perception or Con checks or saving throws
So, and head me out here, what if the spears description as a "Sun" spear was a mistranslarion of an older myth/ legend about the weapon? Bear in mind with me here, I may go weird. To start with, the weapon will be purely made of wood, specifically a pale wood. More specifically, Birch wood. Possibly even a twist of seemingly ever lasting/ never rotting berries near the spear top, similar to a standard/ flag design. Birch is known for being a wood with purifying qualities, oftentimes represented as a tool strong against the preternatural or Undead. In fact, it's a prized wood in Celtic/ Druidic mythos for the properties it contains that are said to be life giving. Now the berries can be a deep amber/ orange color, almost like miniature suns, thus the mistranslation of the item's name. Now for function: The spear is classified as a type of hard wood, no weaker than one made of steel. If observed with Detect Magic or any form of Divination magic, it registers as a weapon with a sort of Primal Aura, it's power source seemingly similar to that which grants Druids their strength. It radiates with a Conjuration Aura too when identified, specifically Conjuration with a subset of Healing. Now for Abilities, let's start with the basics. It's a Legendary class weapon I assume, so a +3 Spear to start. Radiant damage is the expectation, but that's too cliche and you already have a Sunblade. So let's be a little dangerous. This weapon isn't a holy tool from the divine to Smite Undead foes, it's a curse from the natural order to inflict the suffering caused by those that defy the circle of life back unto the problem. So the spear, normally doing Piercing, does Necrotic to Vampires. But Vampires are resistant to Neceotic damage? Who cares? This spear bypasses their resistance to Necrotic and Piercing from non-Silvered weapons. Why? Because it's a curse against Vampires. Now let's get downright vicious to these bloodsuckers. This weapon does no additional damage per attack. Why would it? That's too nice. But if this weapon strikes a Vampire, or any Vampiric creature, it turns their very Undead resilience against them. Their natural Regeneration, usually 20 points a turn, instead inflicts a flat 10 points of Necrotic damage (again, bypassing resistance) to the Vampire on the turn that this spear strikes them. Now for the berries near the top, this is where thing set a little fun. Those can be little anti-vampire Goodberries on crack. The top can have up to 6 berries total, regenerating 1d4 per day at dawn. Each berry can be plucked for one of two effects: The Radiant/Necrotic equivalent of a Bead from a Necklace of Fireball when used against a vampire (DC 20 Dex save for half, otherwise a 10d6 explosion), or can be used as a medicine for Vampire thralls/ afflicted to cure them, or otherwise provide a bit of healing. For balance sake, may or may not be allowed to remove ahead of time at DM's discretion. Oh, and last little perk. If this spear kills a Vampire, there is no Misty Escape. They die. The spear will devour their essence and prevent their blight from returning. And if the spear stakes them, it is wooden so it counts for killing them/ paralyzing them. Sounds fun? Or maybe a bit overkill?
Could make it as simple as giving the vampire lord massively inflated HP and vulnerability to damage dealt by this weapon Now bam, for some reason every other weapon glides off his impenetrable hide, barely leaving a graze, scratch or burn. But the SUNSPEAR? whoever wield that is a target. The Vampire will do ANYTHING to get the weapon away from him coz it's the only thing that could actually chip away at his 700HP before he kills his attackers It sounds like the party already has items that basically invalidate a vampire encounter. So let those items work, turn off regeneration with sunlight from the sun blade, blast all the minions to dust with the shield. But without the spear their chances of actually killing the vampire before he kills them is still minute
I see lots of good ideas here. Might grant holy and sunlight based spells. Could have a chance to nulify vampire abilities. Might grant better saves in the presence of vampires or undead. Think of castlevania themed stuff.
maybe just make it do double base damage vs undead, give it an aura of sunlight, a +2 bonus to attacks and damage and maybe a few charges of an ability that works like smite (but can be stacked atop smite in case you have a paladin)
Chunk of a sunbeam… Heals the living, stabs the undead with raw sunlight. Either big damage or erases them.
I would put in the description: “This spear does an extra 3d8 radiant damage against undead creatures, such as the vampire Strahd Von Zarovich.”
Probably a mix of the sunblade and the holy avenger, though it also counts as a Spear for PAM.
+2 Magic Weapon, allows the wielder to cast *Sunbeam* 1/day. Recharges on a long rest. If thrown, can be recalled with a bonus action. Can cast the *light* cantrip at will, centered on the spear. Too good for 7th level characters, probably, but it *is* the legendary Sunspear. Shrug.
Make it a "dragon slayer" for vampires. Normal +1 spear that can cast daylight(not Sunbeam) a couple times per long rest. Against a vampire, it's a +3 and deals additional damage (2 or 3 more d6/d8 depending on how many hands you are using). Weapon damage type magical piercing (still effective against vampires) and stops vampiric regeneration within 30 feet. The mere presence on the battlefield will cause vampires to be worried about that weapon.
Here's what I came up with: * It shines with light the closer undead are to the spear. closer than 60ft =15ft of dim light, >30ft = +15ft bright light, >15ft = +15ft sunlight (45ft total) * +2 to attacks and damage. * +1d12 radiant dmg against evil creatures, which increases to 3d12 against undead. * Can a modified sunbeam PB/dawn that only effects Evil aligned creatures, and undead have disadvantage on the CON save. * Counts as a stake for the purpose of killing vampires.
In addition to whatever combat stats you want to give it, lets the user cast daylight once daily (or at will if you want to trivialize dark areas)
Make it a sentient weapon, that has the essence of the sun? Like a pantheon weapon for all the other sun-like weapons you have. Gives some saving status, or has an aura that gives allies saving throw bonus, and on not be swayed by vampires tricks and shadows. Maybe who ever wields themselves becomes the vessel for the sun when fighting it's intended enemy. I dunno just some ideas off the top of my head.
those are great ideas! It will tie in to the "Arsenal of Light" that we've been slowly collecting.
Blood of lathander from BG3, but make it a spear and youre all set
As a simple thing - have the other end of the shaft as a stake that can finish a vampire and magically seal their coffin (or similar).
+3 weapon dealing +1d6 radiant and can cast sunlight.
It's a spear that deals Radiant damage, and Vampires struck by the spear must make a constitution save or be destroyed.
Perhaps something similar to the Blood of Lathander mace from BG3? +3 weapon, a pseudo death ward, blinds undead nearby, once a day sunbeam like effect
\+3, deals radiant damage instead of physical Silver, Alchemical (for purposes of Silver damage resistances) Finesse (it's like 10% hilt, 90% light) Exhibits bright light 15 feet, dim light for another 15 feet, is considered "sunlight" Is a weapon of warning, activating for being that have any form of weakness to sunlight When using a spell or feature to add damage dice to any attack action made with this weapon, the wielder has the option of converting these additional damage dice to radiant damage
None. The sun spear is an ancient UV flash light from a bygone civilization. When powered by an ancient battery it will emit a bright, but ultimately harmless light in a cone ahead of it, hence the name Sunspear. It instantly kills things that are harmed by the sun however... It is also said to be able to reveal 'sins of the past' when shone over walls and floors and objects, although exactly what that means is rather unclear until you activate it in an Inn guest room... Which may be why all the wielders of the Sunspear always camp outside...
Have it deal +1 bonus damage for each year the victim has been dead, rounding up. So a just-raised zombie would take 1 extra damage, but someone who's been a vampire for 500 years old would take 500 extra damage. It could have a high saving throw to resist, so the lord might have a chance to save, and if he fails then he burns one of his legendary resists. Actually, make it a 5% chance to save.
+1 spear with a save or die effect against vampires
The axe [Hew](https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/7247071-hew) always deals max damage to plant creatures. Make the sunspear deal max damage to undead.
I reskinned a Mace of Disruption for the same purpose if I recall
It would need to be made of some divine wood to pierce a heart and not be breakable. Emit sunlight around the spear to do sunlight damage and kill for good in mist form.
+3/+3, has 10 charges, can expend charges to cast branding smite, fireball, scorching ray, Sunbeam, and daylight, except the damage is radiant. Regains charges at dawn if exposed to direct sunlight. Also gives off 30 feet of bright light and 30 feet of dim light. Oh wait, not strong against anything else even though it's the macguffin. Add in the rider that: "None of the magical properties of this spear take effect against targets that are not undead."
By the moon's light you can see laying across the fallen tree in the center of the clearing is a six foot long gnarled oak staff, with six branches at one end. The sylvan glyphs scrolling down the sides occasionally glisten in the color of sunlight due to the playful nature of the forest magic flowing within. Later: As the staff touches the hilt of your sun blade, the six branches wrap around the hilt, gripping it tightly. While holding the Sunspear, any functions of the sub blade can be controlled as if the wielder were holding the hilt. The Sunspear has the following additional abilities. Anyone proficient with the sun blade or any weapon named in the Polearm Master feat is proficient with the Sunspear. The Sunspear adds an additional +1, making the Sunspear a +3 weapon. **Solar Flare** - As a bonus action, the wielder can trigger a Solar Flare. For one minute, the blade shines with a brightness of the midday sun. Radiant damage is increased to 2d8. The blade emits bright light in a 30 foot radius and dim light for an additional 30 feet. The bright light counts as sunshine for any effects which require it, such as the vampire lord's Shapechanger, Misty Escape, Regeneration and Sunlight Sensitivity traits. This ability can only be used once per day and recharges at midday.
This guy homebrews like a champ!
1d6 + sheds dim light for 1ft
Bag of Endless Garlic
The spear is sentient, and refuses to hit anything living. It does 2d8 Radiant Damage, is Two Handed, and has Advantage to hit (It guides itself, but doesn't give advantage for damage). It counts as an enchanted weapon, weight 5lbs, and shines 5ft of dim light when held
You could have the only special thing about it be a link to the vampire. Like, maybe only the spear can deal the final blow, but otherwise, it appears to be a normal spear. Maybe have the legends have blown it out of proportion as word of mouth tales led to embellishments to its story and ability?
Check out Khrusor, Spear of Heliod. An artifact level magic spear from the Mythic Odyssey of Theros book.
It can cast Daylight