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Sand Spider

Large · Beast · CR 7 · Unaligned

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

15 (natural armor)

135 (18d10 + 36)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-3

WIS

CHA

-3

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Beast

Alignment Unaligned

XP 2900

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 20 ft (6.1 m)

Swim 10 ft (3 m)

Climb 10 ft (3 m)

Burrow 30 ft (9.1 m)

Crawl 10 ft (3 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Tremorsense 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 14

Skills

Perception +4 Stealth +6

Traits

Sand Camouflage

The sand spider has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in sandy terrain.

Actions

Bite

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d10+5 plus 3d6 poison damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) piercing damage plus 10 (3d6) poison damage.

Impaling Leg

+8 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d6+5 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) piercing damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be grappled (escape DC 16). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained and takes 7 (2d6) piercing damage at the start of each of its turns, and the sand spider can't use the same Impaling Leg on another target. The sand spider has four Impaling Legs.

Multiattack

The sand spider makes one Bite attack and two Impaling Leg attacks.

Reactions

Trapdoor Ambush

When the sand spider is burrowed just below the surface of sand and a Medium or smaller creature enters the space on the surface just above where it is burrowed, the sand spider makes one Impaling Leg attack against the creature, bursting from the sand and revealing itself in the process. The target has disadvantage on the saving throw to avoid being grappled.

About Sand Spider

Sand Spider is a large beast with a Challenge Rating of 7. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 135 hit points (derived from 18d10 + 36).

GM Tips: Using Sand Spider

1 tips available

When using Sand Spider 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.

Player Guide: Facing Sand Spider

1 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.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 7.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 10 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 5,600 XP
Hard: 8,400 XP
Deadly: 11,200 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 Sand Spider?: Sand Spider has a Challenge Rating of 7, making it appropriate for parties of level 7.0.
What type of creature is Sand Spider?: Sand Spider is a Large Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.