Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Swarm of Piranhas

Medium · Beast · CR 1 · Unaligned

Source. 5e 2024 Rules

13 (natural armor)

28 (8d8 - 8)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

-1

INT

-5

WIS

-2

CHA

-4

Overview

Category Animals

Size Medium

Type Beast

Alignment Unaligned

XP 200

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 5 ft (1.5 m)

Swim 40 ft (12.2 m)

Climb 2 ft (0.6 m)

Crawl 2 ft (0.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 8

Saving Throws

Strength +1 Dexterity +3 Constitution -1 Intelligence -5 Wisdom -2 Charisma -4

Traits

Swarm

The swarm can occupy another creature's space and vice versa, and the swarm can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny piranha. The swarm can't regain Hit Points or gain Temporary Hit Points.

Water Breathing

The swarm can breathe only underwater.

Actions

Bites

Cost 1

Melee Attack Roll: +5 (with Advantage if the target doesn't have all its Hit Points), reach 5 ft. 8 (2d4 + 3) Piercing damage, or 5 (1d4 + 3) Piercing damage if the swarm is Bloodied.

About Swarm of Piranhas

Swarm of Piranhas is a medium beast with a Challenge Rating of 1. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 28 hit points (derived from 8d8 - 8).

GM Tips: Using Swarm of Piranhas

1 tips available

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

Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 40 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.

Player Guide: Facing Swarm of Piranhas

1 strategies available

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

Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 40 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.

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 3 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 200 XP
Hard: 300 XP
Deadly: 400 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 Piranhas?: Swarm of Piranhas has a Challenge Rating of 1, making it appropriate for parties of level 1.0.
What type of creature is Swarm of Piranhas?: Swarm of Piranhas is a Medium Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.