Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Darkmantle

Small · Aberration · CR 1/2 · Unaligned

Source. 5e 2024 Rules

11 (natural armor)

22 (5d6 + 5)

1/2

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-3

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Small

Type Aberration

Alignment Unaligned

XP 100

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 10 ft (3 m)

Fly 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 5 ft (1.5 m)

Climb 5 ft (1.5 m)

Crawl 5 ft (1.5 m)

Senses

Blindsight 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 10

Saving Throws

Strength +3 Dexterity +1 Constitution +1 Intelligence -4 Wisdom +0 Charisma -3

Skills

Stealth +3

Actions

Crush

Cost 1

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6+3 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Attack Roll: +5, reach 5 ft. 6 (1d6 + 3) Bludgeoning damage, and the darkmantle attaches to the target. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature and the darkmantle had Advantage on the attack roll, it covers the target, which has the Blinded condition and is suffocating while the darkmantle is attached in this way. While attached to a target, the darkmantle can attack only the target but has Advantage on its attack rolls. Its Speed becomes 0, it can't benefit from any bonus to its Speed, and it moves with the target. A creature can take an action to try to detach the darkmantle from itself, doing so with a successful DC 13 Strength (Athletics) check. On its turn, the darkmantle can detach itself by using 5 feet of movement.

Darkness Aura

1/day

Magical darkness fills a 15-foot Emanation originating from the darkmantle. This effect lasts while the darkmantle maintains Concentration on it, up to 10 minutes. Darkvision can't penetrate this area, and no light can illuminate it.

About Darkmantle

Darkmantle is a small aberration with a Challenge Rating of 1/2. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 11 and possesses 22 hit points (derived from 5d6 + 5).

GM Tips: Using Darkmantle

1 tips available

When using Darkmantle 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 Darkmantle

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: 75 XP
Hard: 112 XP
Deadly: 150 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 Darkmantle?: Darkmantle has a Challenge Rating of 1/2, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.5.
What type of creature is Darkmantle?: Darkmantle is a Small Aberration, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.