Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Giant Leech

Small · Beast · CR 1/4 · Unaligned

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

7 (2d6)

1/4

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-2

DEX

CON

INT

-5

WIS

CHA

-4

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Small

Type Beast

Alignment Unaligned

XP 50

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 15 ft (4.6 m)

Swim 30 ft (9.1 m)

Climb 7 ft (2.1 m)

Crawl 7 ft (2.1 m)

Senses

Tremorsense 30 ft (9.1 m)

Passive Perception 10

Saving Throws

Dexterity +5 Constitution +2

Skills

Stealth +5

Traits

Amphibious

The leech can breathe air and water.

Actions

Bite

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d4+3 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage, and the leech attaches to the target. While attached, the leech doesn't attack. Instead, at the start of each of the leech's turns, the target loses 5 (1d4 + 3) hp due to blood loss.

The leech can detach itself by spending 5 feet of its movement. It does so after it drains 15 hp of blood from the target or the target dies. A creature, including the target, can use its action to detach the leech.

About Giant Leech

Giant Leech is a small beast with a Challenge Rating of 1/4. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 7 hit points (derived from 2d6).

GM Tips: Using Giant Leech

1 tips available

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

Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 30 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.

Player Guide: Facing Giant Leech

1 strategies available

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

Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 30 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 1.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 2 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 31 XP
Hard: 46 XP
Deadly: 62 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 Giant Leech?: Giant Leech has a Challenge Rating of 1/4, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.25.
What type of creature is Giant Leech?: Giant Leech is a Small Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.