Ability Scores
Core attributes and their modifiers.
Overview
Movement
Senses
Skills
Resistances & Immunities
Traits
Keen Smell
The corpse worm has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Actions
Bite
+5 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d6+3 piercing damage.
Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage and the target is grappled (escape DC 13). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the corpse worm can't bite another target or use its Regurgitate reaction. The target must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw against disease or become poisoned until the disease is cured. Every 24 hours that elapse, the creature must repeat the saving throw, reducing its hp maximum by 5 (1d10) on a failure. This reduction lasts until the disease is cured. The creature dies if the disease reduces its hp maximum to 0.
Swallow
The corpse worm makes a bite attack against a Medium or smaller target it is grappling. If the attack hits, the target is swallowed, and the grapple ends. While swallowed, the target is blinded and restrained, it has total cover against attacks and effects outside the corpse worm, and it takes 10 (3d6) acid damage at the start of each of the corpse worm's turns. The corpse worm can have only one creature swallowed at a time. If the corpse worm takes 20 damage or more on a single turn from the swallowed creature, the worm must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw at the end of that turn or regurgitate the creature, which falls prone in a space within 10 feet of the worm. If the corpse worm dies, the target is no longer restrained by it and can escape from the corpse using 10 feet of movement, exiting prone.
Reactions
Regurgitate
When a creature the corpse worm can see hits it with an attack while within 10 feet of it, the corpse worm regurgitates a portion of its stomach contents on the attacker. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. If the corpse worm has a swallowed creature when it uses this reaction, the worm must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or also regurgitate the swallowed creature, which falls prone in a space within 5 feet of the target. If it regurgitates the swallowed creature, the target and the swallowed creature take 7 (2d6) acid damage.
About Corpse Worm
Corpse Worm is a large monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 3. It has a unaligned alignment.
In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 76 hit points (derived from 8d10+32).
GM Tips: Using Corpse Worm
1 tips available
GM Tips: Using Corpse Worm
When using Corpse Worm in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:
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Climbing Advantage: This creature can climb at 30 ft. It can use walls and ceilings for tactical positioning. Consider using 'Spider Climb' negation or fighting in open areas without vertical surfaces.
Player Guide: Facing Corpse Worm
1 strategies available
Player Guide: Facing Corpse Worm
When your party encounters this creature, keep these strategies in mind:
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Climbing Defense: This creature can climb at 30 ft! It can use walls and ceilings for surprise attacks. Fight in open areas without vertical surfaces. 'Spider Climb' negation spells can help.
Encounter Building Calculator
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
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the challenge rating of Corpse Worm?
- Corpse Worm has a Challenge Rating of 3, making it appropriate for parties of level 3.0.
- What type of creature is Corpse Worm?
- Corpse Worm is a Large Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
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Related D&D 5e Content
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