Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Oculo Swarm

Large · Aberration · CR 4 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

82 (11d10 + 22)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-1

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Aberration

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 1100

Initiative Bonus +5

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Fly 5 ft (1.5 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 16

Skills

Insight +6 Perception +6 Stealth +7

Languages

understands Common but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, piercing, slashing

Condition Immunities

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

Traits

Hundreds of Eyes

The oculo swarm has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight and on saving throws against being blinded. In addition, if the swarm isn’t blinded, creatures attacking it can’t benefit from traits and features that rely on a creature’s allies distracting or surrounding the swarm, such as the Pack Tactics trait or Sneak Attack class feature.

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 eyeball. The swarm can’t regain hp or gain temporary hp.

Actions

Disorienting Gaze

Recharge 5–6

The swarm's many eyes suddenly turn in different directions. Each creature within 10 feet of the oculo swarm must make a DC 13 Charisma saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 21 (6d6) psychic damage and is disoriented until the end of its next turn. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn't disoriented. A disoriented creature is incapacitated and moves in a random direction when it moves.

Extract Eye

+7 to hit. Hit: 4d8 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 0 ft., one creature 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.

Multiattack

The oculo swarm makes two Extract Eye attacks. If both attacks hit one creature, the target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or the swarm removes one of its eyes. While missing half or fewer of its total number of eyes, the target has disadvantage on attack rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight. While missing more than half its total number of eyes, the target is blinded until its sight is restored. If the target's eye is recovered from the defeated swarm, it can be reattached with a successful DC 12 Wisdom (Medicine) check, provided the eye is reattached within 1 hour of the target losing the eye.

About Oculo Swarm

Oculo Swarm is a large aberration with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 82 hit points (derived from 11d10 + 22).

Oculo Swarm has communication capabilities including understands Common but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Oculo Swarm

1 tips available

When using Oculo 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 Oculo 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 4.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 6 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 2,000 XP
Hard: 3,000 XP
Deadly: 4,000 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 Oculo Swarm?: Oculo Swarm has a Challenge Rating of 4, making it appropriate for parties of level 4.0.
What type of creature is Oculo Swarm?: Oculo Swarm is a Large Aberration, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Oculo Swarm speak?: Oculo Swarm can communicate in understands Common but can't speak.