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Swarm of Bats

Medium · Beast · CR 1/4 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Monstrous Menagerie

18 (4d8)

1/4

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-3

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-3

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Beast

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 50

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 5 ft (1.5 m)

Fly 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 2 ft (0.6 m)

Climb 2 ft (0.6 m)

Crawl 2 ft (0.6 m)

Senses

Blindsight 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 11

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, piercing, slashing

Condition Immunities

charmed, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained, stunned, unconscious

Traits

Echolocation

The swarm can't use blindsight while deafened.

Keen Hearing

The swarm has advantage on Perception checks that rely on hearing.

Swarm

The swarm can occupy another creatures space and move through any opening large enough for a Tiny creature. It can't gain hit points or temporary hit points.

Actions

Bites

+4 to hit. Hit: 2d6 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 0 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d6) piercing damage or 3 (1d6) piercing damage if the swarm is bloodied.

About Swarm of Bats

Swarm of Bats is a medium beast with a Challenge Rating of 1/4. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 18 hit points (derived from 4d8).

GM Tips: Using Swarm of Bats

1 tips available

When using Swarm of Bats in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Flight Control Strategy: Target flying creatures with spells like 'Hold Person', 'Web', or 'Grease' to ground them. Without flight restriction, they can escape melee range easily. Consider area denial spells below their flight altitude to force them into disadvantageous positions.

Player Guide: Facing Swarm of Bats

1 strategies available

When your party encounters this creature, keep these strategies in mind:

Counter Flight Advantage: This creature can fly! Use ranged attacks, reach weapons, or spells like 'Thunderwave' to push it away. Consider 'Gust of Wind' or 'Earthbind' to ground it. Melee characters need fly speed or flight magic to engage.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 1.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 2 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 31 XP
Hard: 46 XP
Deadly: 62 XP

Based on D&D 5e Dungeon Master's Guide encounter building guidelines. CR roughly equals party level for medium encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the challenge rating of Swarm of Bats?: Swarm of Bats has a Challenge Rating of 1/4, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.25.
What type of creature is Swarm of Bats?: Swarm of Bats is a Medium Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.