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Clockwork Beetle Swarm

Large · Construct · CR 3 · Unaligned

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

14 (natural armor)

52 (8d10 + 8)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-1

DEX

CON

INT

-5

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Construct

Alignment Unaligned

XP 700

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 50 ft (15.2 m)

Fly 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 25 ft (7.6 m)

Climb 25 ft (7.6 m)

Crawl 25 ft (7.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 11

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison, psychic

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, piercing, slashing

Condition Immunities

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

Traits

Construct Nature

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

Magic Resistance

The swarm has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Swarm

The swarm can occupy another creature’s space and vice versa, and it can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny Construct. The swarm can’t regain hp or gain temporary hp.

Actions

Bites

+5 to hit. Hit: 4d8 plus 1d6 poison damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 0 ft., one target in the swarm's space. Hit: 18 (4d8) piercing damage, or 9 (2d8) piercing damage if the swarm has half of its hp or fewer, plus 3 (1d6) poison damage.

About Clockwork Beetle Swarm

Clockwork Beetle Swarm is a large construct with a Challenge Rating of 3. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 52 hit points (derived from 8d10 + 8).

GM Tips: Using Clockwork Beetle Swarm

1 tips available

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

Flight Control Strategy: Target flying creatures with spells like 'Hold Person', 'Web', or 'Grease' to ground them. Without flight restriction, they can escape melee range easily. Consider area denial spells below their flight altitude to force them into disadvantageous positions.

Player Guide: Facing Clockwork Beetle Swarm

1 strategies available

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

Counter Flight Advantage: This creature can fly! Use ranged attacks, reach weapons, or spells like 'Thunderwave' to push it away. Consider 'Gust of Wind' or 'Earthbind' to ground it. Melee characters need fly speed or flight magic to engage.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 3.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 5 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 1,200 XP
Hard: 1,800 XP
Deadly: 2,400 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 Clockwork Beetle Swarm?: Clockwork Beetle Swarm has a Challenge Rating of 3, making it appropriate for parties of level 3.0.
What type of creature is Clockwork Beetle Swarm?: Clockwork Beetle Swarm is a Large Construct, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.