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Bone Collective

Small · Undead · CR 8 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

17 (natural armor)

120 (16d6 + 64)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Small

Type Undead

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 3900

Initiative Bonus +5

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 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 13

Saving Throws

Dexterity +8

Skills

Arcana +5 Deception +6 Perception +3 Stealth +11

Languages

Common, Darakhul (can't speak in shapeless form)

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

necrotic, poison

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, piercing, slashing

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained, stunned

Traits

Collective Mind

The collective’s individual bones are connected via a hive mind. It can telepathically communicate with any of its individual bones within 50 miles of it, and it can’t be surprised. If the collective is reduced to half its hp or fewer, its Intelligence score is reduced to 1, it can’t cast spells, it immediately changes to its shapeless form, and it can’t take on a Humanoid form.

Grasping Limbs (Humanoid Form Only)

The bone collective can wield weapons and hold, grasp, push, pull, or interact with objects that might otherwise require a Humanoid form to accomplish.

Swarm (Shapeless Form Only)

The bone collective can occupy another creature’s space and vice versa, and the swarm can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny bone.

Undead Nature

The bone collective doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.

Wyrmblood Venom

When the bone collective hits a poisoned creature with a Bite or Piercing Bones attack, the target’s Charisma score is reduced by 1d4. The target is incapacitated if this reduces its Charisma to 0. The reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest.

Actions

Bite

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 4d12+5 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 31 (4d12 + 5) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Claw

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 3d12+5 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 25 (3d12 + 5) slashing damage.

Multiattack

The bone collective makes two Claw attacks, or one Claw attack and one Bite attack.

Piercing Bones

+8 to hit. Hit: 8d12 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 0 ft., one creature in the collective's space. Hit: 52 (8d12) piercing damage, or 26 (4d12) piercing damage if the collective has half its hp or fewer.

Spellcasting

(3/Day; Humanoid Form Only)The bone collective casts the animate dead spell as an action, requiring no material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 14).

Bonus Actions

Shape Swarm

The bone collective can shape itself into a Small Humanoid or back into a shapeless form of Tiny bones. Its statistics are the same in each form, and it can't regain hp or gain temporary hp. It can't take on a Humanoid form if it is occupying the space of another creature.

About Bone Collective

Bone Collective is a small undead with a Challenge Rating of 8. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 120 hit points (derived from 16d6 + 64).

Bone Collective has communication capabilities including Common, Darakhul (can't speak in shapeless form). This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Bone Collective

2 tips available

When using Bone Collective in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Significant Threat: Challenging for parties of levels 5-10
Epic Potential: Consider legendary actions for memorable battles

Player Guide: Facing Bone Collective

2 strategies available

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

Significant Threat: Prepare spells and resources
Team Coordination: Coordinate attacks and defenses

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 8.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 11 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 7,200 XP
Hard: 10,800 XP
Deadly: 14,400 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 Bone Collective?: Bone Collective has a Challenge Rating of 8, making it appropriate for parties of level 8.0.
What type of creature is Bone Collective?: Bone Collective is a Small Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Bone Collective speak?: Bone Collective can communicate in Common, Darakhul (can't speak in shapeless form).