If a thethic monster is reduced to 0 HP by a Mace of Disruption, what happens

dnd-5ehit-pointsmagic-itemsmonsterssimultaneous-effects

(My question was inspired by this answer to "Is it possible to kill a mythic monster without activating its mythic trait?".)


Mythic Monsters (introduced in Mythic Odysseys of Theros) have a Mythic Trait that activates when they are reduced to zero hit points. This trait is typically in the following format:

If [monster name] is reduced to 0 hit points, it doesn't die or fall unconscious. Instead, it regains [X] hit points. In addition, […]

Meanwhile, the mace of disruption magic item has the following effect:

When you hit a fiend or an undead with this magic weapon, that creature takes an extra 2d6 radiant damage. If the target has 25 hit points or fewer after taking this damage, it must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be destroyed.

Presume an undead mythic monster currently has 26 HP. It is struck by a mace of disruption for 27 damage, reducing its HP from 26 to -1. Does the mythic trait kick in? Or does the mace of disruption's effect take precedence, causing the monster to be (potentially) destroyed?

I'm specifically analyzing this case, as the language in RAW can be interpreted to force the destruction of the monster. As an example, if the mythic trait only restores the monster to 20 HP, it will remain below 25 HP after the attack completes. Even if the monster is restored to at least 26 HP, it technically was below 25 HP at the completion of the attack.

Best Answer

The Dullahan is destroyed.

The effects in question are:

If the target has 25 hit points or fewer after taking this damage, it must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be destroyed.

If the dullahan is reduced to 0 hit points, it doesn’t die or fall unconscious. Instead, it regains 97 hit points.

If a mace of disruption attack reduces Dullahan to 0 hit points, both effects trigger. There is nothing here to suggest that the mythic trait triggering first means the destruction doesn't happen. This means that the Dullahan is destroyed, because if his destruction is resolved before his regaining hit points, he's destroyed, but if it is resolved after he regains hit points, he is destroyed.