Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Swarm of Poisonous Snakes

Medium · Beast · CR 2 · Unaligned

Source. 5e 2014 Rules

36 (8d8)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-1

DEX

CON

INT

-5

WIS

CHA

-4

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Beast

Alignment Unaligned

XP 450

Initiative Bonus +4

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 30 ft (9.1 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Blindsight 10 ft (3 m)

Passive Perception 10

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, piercing, slashing

Condition Immunities

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

Environments

Caves Desert Forest or Jungle Grassland or Plains Hills Mountain Ocean Ruins Sewer Swamp or Marsh Tomb

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

Actions

Bites

Cost 1

+6 to hit.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 0 ft., one creature in the swarm's space. Hit: 7 (2d6) piercing damage, or 3 (1d6) piercing damage if the swarm has half of its hit points or fewer. The target must make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw, taking 14 (4d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

About Swarm of Poisonous Snakes

Swarm of Poisonous Snakes is a medium beast with a Challenge Rating of 2. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 36 hit points (derived from 8d8).

GM Tips: Using Swarm of Poisonous Snakes

1 tips available

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

Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 30 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.

Player Guide: Facing Swarm of Poisonous Snakes

1 strategies available

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

Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 30 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 2.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 4 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 600 XP
Hard: 900 XP
Deadly: 1,200 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 Poisonous Snakes?: Swarm of Poisonous Snakes has a Challenge Rating of 2, making it appropriate for parties of level 2.0.
What type of creature is Swarm of Poisonous Snakes?: Swarm of Poisonous Snakes is a Medium Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.