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Skitterhaunt

Large · Ooze · CR 4 · Unaligned

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

14 (natural armor)

95 (10d10 + 40)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

-2

CHA

-5

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Ooze

Alignment Unaligned

XP 1100

Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Blindsight 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 8

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

acid

Condition Immunities

blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, frightened, prone

Traits

Broken Shell

A creature that hits the skitterhaunt with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes 4 (1d8) acid damage.

Ooze Nature

The skitterhaunt doesn’t require sleep.

Vermin Encasement

The creature within the vermin’s shell is a shapeless ooze protected by the vermin’s exoskeleton. When the skitterhaunt is reduced to 0 hp, the exoskeleton breaks, and the skitterhaunt ooze exits it. Once out of its exoskeleton, the ooze is Small, has an AC of 10, 10 hp, and a speed of 15 feet, and it can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing. In addition, its only attack is a Slam that uses the same statistics as its Sting, except it deals bludgeoning damage instead of piercing damage. The skitterhaunt dies if it remains outside of a host for more than 24 hours. It can exit or enter a dead host’s exoskeleton as a bonus action.

Actions

Acid Spray

Recharge 6

The skitterhaunt spits acid in a 30-foot line that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw, taking 18 (4d8) acid damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Infest Vermin

The skitterhaunt infests a Large or smaller Beast with an exoskeleton within 5 feet of it. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned until the skitterhaunt no longer infests it. Every 24 hours that elapse, the target must repeat the saving throw or take 7 (2d6) acid damage, and its hp maximum is reduced by that amount. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest after the skitterhaunt no longer infests it. The target dies if this reduces its hp maximum to 0. The skitterhaunt then takes control of the body, dissolving the flesh and hiding within the exoskeleton. A target that succeeds on two consecutive saving throws forces the skitterhaunt out of its body and is immune to the skitterhaunt's Infest Vermin for the next 24 hours.

Mandibles

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d4+2 plus 2d8 acid damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 2) slashing damage plus 9 (2d8) acid damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 12) if it is a Medium or smaller creature. Until this grapple ends, the creature is restrained, and the skitterhaunt can't use its Mandibles on another target.

Multiattack

The skitterhaunt makes one Mandibles attack and one Sting attack, or it makes two Sting attacks.

Sting

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8+2 plus 2d8 acid damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) acid damage.

About Skitterhaunt

Skitterhaunt is a large ooze with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 95 hit points (derived from 10d10 + 40).

GM Tips: Using Skitterhaunt

2 tips available

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

Mid-level Encounter: Ideal for parties levels 3-8 as solo or small groups
Terrain Advantage: Use terrain to offset moderate combat abilities

Player Guide: Facing Skitterhaunt

2 strategies available

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

Moderate Threat: Prepare standard combat tactics
Tactical Advantage: Use terrain and positioning

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 Skitterhaunt?: Skitterhaunt has a Challenge Rating of 4, making it appropriate for parties of level 4.0.
What type of creature is Skitterhaunt?: Skitterhaunt is a Large Ooze, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.