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Swarm of Beetles

Medium · Beast · CR 1/2 · Unaligned

Source. 5e 2014 Rules

12 (natural armor)

22 (5d8)

1/2

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-4

DEX

CON

INT

-5

WIS

-2

CHA

-5

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Beast

Alignment Unaligned

XP 100

Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 20 ft (6.1 m)

Swim 10 ft (3 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Burrow 5 ft (1.5 m)

Crawl 10 ft (3 m)

Senses

Blindsight 10 ft (3 m)

Passive Perception 8

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, piercing, slashing

Condition Immunities

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

Environments

Caves Desert Underworld

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 insect. The swarm can't regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.

Actions

Bites

Cost 1

+3 to hit.

Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 0 ft., one target in the swarm's space. Hit: 10 (4d4) piercing damage, or 5 (2d4) piercing damage if the swarm has half of its hit points or fewer.

About Swarm of Beetles

Swarm of Beetles is a medium beast with a Challenge Rating of 1/2. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 22 hit points (derived from 5d8).

GM Tips: Using Swarm of Beetles

2 tips available

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

Burrowing Tactics: This creature can burrow at 5 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.
Climbing Advantage: This creature can climb at 20 ft. It can use walls and ceilings for tactical positioning. Consider using 'Spider Climb' negation or fighting in open areas without vertical surfaces.

Player Guide: Facing Swarm of Beetles

2 strategies available

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

Burrowing Defense: This creature can burrow at 5 ft! It can ambush from underground. Use 'Earthbind', create difficult terrain, or fight on hard surfaces. 'Stone Shape' can seal burrows.
Climbing Defense: This creature can climb at 20 ft! It can use walls and ceilings for surprise attacks. Fight in open areas without vertical surfaces. 'Spider Climb' negation spells can help.

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 Swarm of Beetles?: Swarm of Beetles has a Challenge Rating of 1/2, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.5.
What type of creature is Swarm of Beetles?: Swarm of Beetles is a Medium Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.