Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Swarm of Rats

Medium · Beast · CR 1/4 · Unaligned

Source. 5e 2014 Rules

24 (7d8-7)

1/4

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-1

DEX

CON

-1

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-4

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Beast

Alignment Unaligned

XP 50

Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 30 ft (9.1 m)

Passive Perception 10

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, piercing, slashing

Condition Immunities

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

Environments

Caves Forest or Jungle Ruins Sewer Swamp or Marsh Urban

Traits

Keen Smell

The swarm has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.

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

Actions

Bites

Cost 1

+2 to hit.

Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 0 ft., one target 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.

About Swarm of Rats

Swarm of Rats is a medium beast with a Challenge Rating of 1/4. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 10 and possesses 24 hit points (derived from 7d8-7).

GM Tips: Using Swarm of Rats

2 tips available

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

Minion Strategy: Use as scouts or minions for larger threats
Group Tactics: Group 3-4 together to pose a moderate threat

Player Guide: Facing Swarm of Rats

2 strategies available

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

Easy Target: This creature is weak - focus on other threats
Group Threat: Multiple can be dangerous - use area attacks

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: 31 XP
Hard: 46 XP
Deadly: 62 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 Rats?: Swarm of Rats has a Challenge Rating of 1/4, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.25.
What type of creature is Swarm of Rats?: Swarm of Rats is a Medium Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.