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Purple Worm

Gargantuan · Monstrosity · CR 15 · Unaligned

Source. 5e 2014 Rules
Armor Class
18 (natural armor)
Hit Points and Hit Dice
247 (15d20+90)
Challenge Rating CR
15

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
28
+9
DEX
7
-2
CON
22
+6
INT
1
-5
WIS
8
-1
CHA
4
-3

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Gargantuan
Type Monstrosity
Alignment Unaligned
XP 13000
Initiative Bonus -2

Movement

Walk 50 ft (15.2 m)
Swim 25 ft (7.6 m)
Climb 25 ft (7.6 m)
Burrow 30 ft (9.1 m)
Crawl 25 ft (7.6 m)

Senses

Blindsight 30 ft (9.1 m)
Tremorsense 60 ft (18.3 m)
Passive Perception 9

Saving Throws

Constitution +11 Wisdom +4

Environments

Caves Mountain Underworld

Traits

Tunneler

The worm can burrow through solid rock at half its burrow speed and leaves a 10-foot-diameter tunnel in its wake.

Actions

Bite

Cost 1

+14 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 3d8 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (3d8 + 9) piercing damage. If the target is a Large or smaller creature, it must succeed on a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw or be swallowed by the worm. A swallowed creature is blinded and restrained, it has total cover against attacks and other effects outside the worm, and it takes 21 (6d6) acid damage at the start of each of the worm's turns.
If the worm takes 30 damage or more on a single turn from a creature inside it, the worm must succeed on a DC 21 Constitution saving throw at the end of that turn or regurgitate all swallowed creatures, which fall prone in a space within 10 feet of the worm. If the worm dies, a swallowed creature is no longer restrained by it and can escape from the corpse by using 20 feet of movement, exiting prone.

Multiattack

Cost 1

The worm makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its stinger.

Tail Stinger

Cost 1

+14 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m).

Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 10 ft., one creature. Hit: 19 (3d6 + 9) piercing damage, and the target must make a DC 19 Constitution saving throw, taking 42 (12d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

About Purple Worm

Purple Worm is a gargantuan monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 15. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 247 hit points (derived from 15d20+90).

GM Tips: Using Purple Worm

1 tips available

When using Purple Worm in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

  • Burrowing Tactics: This creature can burrow at 30 ft. It can ambush from underground or escape combat by digging. Use 'Earthbind' or create difficult terrain to limit burrowing. Consider fighting in areas without soft ground.

Player Guide: Facing Purple Worm

1 strategies available

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

  • Burrowing Defense: This creature can burrow at 30 ft! It can ambush from underground. Use 'Earthbind', create difficult terrain, or fight on hard surfaces. 'Stone Shape' can seal burrows.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 15.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 19 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

  • Medium: 24,000 XP
  • Hard: 36,000 XP
  • Deadly: 48,000 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 Purple Worm?
Purple Worm has a Challenge Rating of 15, making it appropriate for parties of level 15.0.
What type of creature is Purple Worm?
Purple Worm is a Gargantuan Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.

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