Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Greed Swarm

Medium · Construct · CR 1/2 · Unaligned

Armor Class
13 (natural armor)
Hit Points and Hit Dice
22 (4d8+4)
Challenge Rating CR
1/2

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
6
-2
DEX
16
+3
CON
12
+1
INT
1
-5
WIS
9
-1
CHA
1
-5

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Medium
Type Construct
Alignment Unaligned
XP 100
Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Fly 40 ft (12.2 m)
Hover Yes

Senses

Blindsight 60 ft (18.3 m)
Passive Perception 9

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities
poison
Damage Resistances
bludgeoning, piercing, slashing
Damage Vulnerabilities
force
Condition Immunities
charmed, exhaustion, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained, stunned

Traits

Antimagic Susceptibility

The swarm is incapacitated while in the area of an antimagic field. If targeted by dispel magic, the swarm must succeed on a Constitution saving throw against the caster’s spell save DC or fall unconscious for 1 minute.

Deafening Clatter

A creature in the swarm’s space is deafened.

False Appearance

While the greed swarm remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from a normal pile of coins and valuables.

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 object. Except for Gather, the swarm can’t regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.

Actions

Coin Barrage

+5 to hit, range 20/60 ft (6.1/18.3 m). Hit: 2d6 bludgeoning damage.

Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d6) bludgeoning damage, or 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage if the swarm has half of its hit points or fewer.

Coin Slam

+5 to hit. Hit: 4d4 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 0 ft., one target in the greed swarm's space. Hit: 10 (4d4) bludgeoning damage, or 5 (2d4) bludgeoning damage if the swarm has half of its hit points or fewer.

Gather

1/day

The swarm magically gathers up to 100 gp worth of coins, gems, and other small, valuable objects within 60 feet of it, adding them to its mass. It regains 7 (2d6) hit points and has advantage on its next attack roll. A creature wearing or carrying such valuables must succeed on a DC 11 Dexterity saving throw or its valuables fly toward the swarm, joining the mass.

About Greed Swarm

Greed Swarm is a medium construct with a Challenge Rating of 1/2. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 22 hit points (derived from 4d8+4).

GM Tips: Using Greed Swarm

1 tips available

When using Greed 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 Greed 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 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: 75 XP
  • Hard: 112 XP
  • Deadly: 150 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 Greed Swarm?
Greed Swarm has a Challenge Rating of 1/2, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.5.
What type of creature is Greed Swarm?
Greed Swarm is a Medium Construct, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.

Related D&D 5e Content

Related Creatures