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Mordant Snare

Gargantuan · Aberration · CR 15 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

18 (natural armor)

248 (16d20 + 80)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Gargantuan

Type Aberration

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 13000

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Burrow 10 ft (3 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Tremorsense 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 12

Skills

Deception +8

Languages

Common, Primordial, telepathy 60.0 ft (18.3 m).

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

acid

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

prone

Traits

Magic Resistance

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

Mordant Puppets

A mordant snare can spend 8 hours draining a dead Humanoid of its fluids and internal organs, replacing them with the snare’s acid and filaments. The Humanoid’s body then becomes a puppet controlled by the snare. Mordant puppets share a telepathic link with the snare, and each puppet uses the statistics of a zombie. The puppets can’t move more than 30 feet away from the snare. The mordant snare can have no more than twelve puppets under its control at one time.

Actions

Acid Spike

+8 to hit, range 30/120 ft (9.1/36.6 m). Hit: 2d6+3 plus 3d8 acid damage.

Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage plus 13 (3d8) acid damage.

Bite

+11 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d10+6 plus 4d8 acid damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d10 + 6) piercing damage plus 18 (4d8) acid damage.

Hidden Trap

While underground, the mordant snare covers itself in dirt, sand, or other material and lurks just below the surface. The mordant snare is indistinguishable from the ground around it while motionless and covered in this way. When a creature enters the mordant snare's space, the snare can make one Tentacle attack against the creature as a reaction, removing the covering material.

Multiattack

The mordant snare makes one Bite attack and four Tentacle attacks, or it makes four Acid Spike attacks.

Tentacle

+11 to hit, reach 20 ft (6.1 m). Hit: 2d8+6 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 18) if it is a Large or smaller creature. The mordant snare has eleven tentacles, each of which can grapple only one target.

About Mordant Snare

Mordant Snare is a gargantuan aberration with a Challenge Rating of 15. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 248 hit points (derived from 16d20 + 80).

Mordant Snare has communication capabilities including Common, Primordial, telepathy 60 ft.. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Mordant Snare

2 tips available

When using Mordant Snare in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Burrowing Tactics: This creature can burrow at 10 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.
Telepathic Communication: This creature can communicate telepathically, making it excellent for coordination with allies. Silence spells won't stop its communication. Consider 'Mind Blank' or abilities that block telepathy.

Player Guide: Facing Mordant Snare

2 strategies available

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

Burrowing Defense: This creature can burrow at 10 ft! It can ambush from underground. Use 'Earthbind', create difficult terrain, or fight on hard surfaces. 'Stone Shape' can seal burrows.
Telepathy Awareness: This creature communicates telepathically! It can coordinate with allies silently. Silence won't stop it. Use 'Mind Blank' or abilities that block telepathy. Be cautious of mental attacks.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 15.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 19 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 24,000 XP
Hard: 36,000 XP
Deadly: 48,000 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 Mordant Snare?: Mordant Snare has a Challenge Rating of 15, making it appropriate for parties of level 15.0.
What type of creature is Mordant Snare?: Mordant Snare is a Gargantuan Aberration, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Mordant Snare speak?: Mordant Snare can communicate in Common, Primordial, telepathy 60 ft..