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Hivebound

Small · Monstrosity · CR 5 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Black Flag SRD

15 (natural armor)

108

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Small

Type Monstrosity

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 1800

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 25 ft (7.6 m)

Fly 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 12 ft (3.7 m)

Climb 12 ft (3.7 m)

Crawl 12 ft (3.7 m)

Senses

Passive Perception 12

Saving Throws

Strength +2 Dexterity +3 Constitution +4 Intelligence -2 Wisdom +2 Charisma -2

Languages

understands Common but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

blinded

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning,charmed,Monstrosity Resilience

Traits

Collective Mind

The hivebound's individual insects and swarms under its control are connected via a hive mind. It can telepathically communicate with any of its individual insects and swarms within 1 mile of it, and it can't be surprised. It can have up to five swarms of insects under its control at a time.

Monstrosity Resilience

The hivebound is resistant to exhaustion and to the frightened condition.

Reinforced Mind

If the hivebound starts its turn afflicted by an ongoing effect that allows a repeated INT, WIS, or CHA save to end the effect, such as the hold spell, the hivebound can make the save at the start of the turn instead of the end and has advantage on the save.

Actions

Bite

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8+3 plus 3d6 poison damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8+3) piercing damage plus 10 (3d6) poison damage.

Claw

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d4+3 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (2d4+3) slashing damage.

Multiattack

The hivebound makes one Bite attack and two Claw attacks, or it makes three Spit Insect attacks.

Spit Insect

+6 to hit, range 30/120 ft (9.1/36.6 m). Hit: 1d4+3 plus 2d6 poison damage.

Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4+3) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 DEX save or be pestered until the end of its next turn. A pestered creature has disadvantage on the next attack roll it makes before the pester ends.

Swarm Breath

Recharge 5–6

The hivebound exhales stinging insects in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in the area must make a DC 15 DEX save, taking 10 (4d4) piercing damage and 17 (5d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A swarm of insects under the hivebound's control then forms in an unoccupied space in that area.

Bonus Actions

Swift Flight

The hivebound flies up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

About Hivebound

Hivebound is a small monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 5. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 108 hit points (derived from None).

Hivebound has communication capabilities including understands Common but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Hivebound

1 tips available

When using Hivebound 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 Hivebound

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 5.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 7 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 3,000 XP
Hard: 4,500 XP
Deadly: 6,000 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 Hivebound?: Hivebound has a Challenge Rating of 5, making it appropriate for parties of level 5.0.
What type of creature is Hivebound?: Hivebound is a Small Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Hivebound speak?: Hivebound can communicate in understands Common but can't speak.