Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Burrowling

Small · Humanoid · CR 1/2 · Lawful Neutral

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

27 (6d6 + 6)

1/2

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-1

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Small

Type Humanoid

Alignment Lawful Neutral

XP 100

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 10 ft (3 m)

Swim 5 ft (1.5 m)

Climb 5 ft (1.5 m)

Burrow 30 ft (9.1 m)

Crawl 5 ft (1.5 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 13

Skills

Perception +3

Languages

Common

Traits

Burrow Awareness

A burrowling has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks if at least one other burrowling within 10 feet of it isn’t incapacitated.

Pack Tactics

The burrowling has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the burrowling’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.

Actions

Bite

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d4+3 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage.

Claw

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d4+3 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) slashing damage.

Multiattack

The burrowling makes one Bite attack and one Claw attack.

Sling

+5 to hit, range 30/120 ft (9.1/36.6 m). Hit: 1d4+3 bludgeoning damage.

Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) bludgeoning damage.

About Burrowling

Burrowling is a small humanoid with a Challenge Rating of 1/2. It has a lawful neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 27 hit points (derived from 6d6 + 6).

Burrowling has communication capabilities including Common. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Burrowling

2 tips available

When using Burrowling 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.
Pack Tactics Advantage: This creature has advantage on attack rolls when an ally is within 5 feet! Separate it from its pack or use 'Fear' spells to scatter allies. Single-target encounters reduce its effectiveness.

Player Guide: Facing Burrowling

2 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.
Counter Pack Tactics: This creature has advantage when allies are nearby! Separate it from its pack. Use 'Fear' spells to scatter allies. Single-target encounters reduce its effectiveness.

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 Burrowling?: Burrowling has a Challenge Rating of 1/2, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.5.
What type of creature is Burrowling?: Burrowling is a Small Humanoid, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Burrowling speak?: Burrowling can communicate in Common.